Collaboraction

Collaboraction is a great little theater in Wicker Park that focuses on the local community, and does shows that promote peace and the end of Chicago violence.
It is a little hard to find in the building, so keep your eyes open, but it’s a very engaging, interesting space, so worth it.
I would recommend it especially if you live in the neighborhood, but even if you’re just interested in stories on Chicago, and being moved at the theater.

If you are a theatre company, do not rent this space. There is no way to control the noise levels in the hallway during your show. Sometimes the noise is very distracting.
Plus, finding the theatre in the building can be very difficult.
Find a different venue to stage your production.

I’ve heard of Collaboraction around four years ago through a friend and have been constantly surprised and impressed by their shows and events. All their shows have very unique themes and are very well performed and directed, and bring many ideas forward that keep you talking afterward (Jon has been my favorite this year and it is being brought back to be shown at Theater on the Lake – check it out!). Plus their events are always very well attended, the crowd is amazing, great food and alcohol selection, and a ton of fun without being pretentious. Their Sketchbook performances are always huge hits as well. You sit on blocks and balconies and random lofts and can move around the room during the series of short plays, and this year they had a popcorn machine, and it was BYOB. They take theater and make it accessible to all ages and all interest levels. Please support this company and check them out. You won’t be disappointed and will find yourself swept up by their passion and enthusiasm.

I’ve been following Collaboraction for many years… and this company renewed my passion for theater and the performing arts. Nowhere in this city can you find a company that blurs the line between the actors and the audience through a mulitude of artistic platforms.
Every Collaboraction event is dynamic and offers a unique opportunity to explore a multi-​media sensorial delight… as well as a diverse (and often wild) range of theater-​art-​music-​dancin’ loving Chicago-​aliens.
Introduce yourself to Collaboraction today. Visit
and choose to be a part of Sketchbook 2009. Your perception of theater will be pleasantly skewed.

I HEART Collaboraction. The group stages a few plays each year, as well as some unforgettable galas and fundraisers (Beggars’ & Carnaval are always sure-​things on my social calendar). I’m always impressed with the fun and easygoing crowd, and how they can design creative and thought-​provoking events.
(Full disclosure: I’ve been a volunteer for a few years, and helped with Carnaval this year. That’s how much I support and believe in them.)
And every year, like Christmas to the Chicago theater community — SKETCHBOOK. I am so excited for Sketchbook 2009! It’s innovative, interactive, community-​building theatre. They take short-​play submissions from hundreds of playwrights, pick the most compelling, and directors review the shortlist and submit a vision for the plays. From those visions, 14 plays are produced. Each is separately cast, and performed in collaboration with DJs, visual artists, dancers, etc.
This is one theater group worth supporting, because of the thought-​provoking work, creativity, and good people it brings to Chicago’s artistic community. Not to mention, it’s one of the most diverse theater groups in Chicago and has produced several Jeff-​recommended plays. A true gem!

they get a big fat zero, but since Unilocal wont let me enter in ZERO, they will get an «eek! me thinks not!» COLLABORACTION SUCKS!
if youre not white, do not support this group because their organization will throw racial comments at you. do not support this hideous group. after donating to their organization through their carnaval 2009, asking where we could hail a cab in the middle of nowhere.
a RUDE hipster answered: find your own cab bitch.
in which i responded: i wasnt asking you to hail a cab for me, i was asking you where i could hail one for myself.
then was answered by this man (please click on the link or copy/​paste into your browser to see his pic. he is on the right… col​lab​o​rac​tion​.type​pad​.com/​p​h​o​t​o​s​/​c​a​r​n​a​v​a​l​_​2​0​0​8​/​c​a​r​n​a​v​a​l​_​2​0​08_lr₄₇.html) «take your asian ass somewhere else to find a fucking cab; if youre going to call someone a bitch you can find your own».
first of all, i did NOT call that hipster girl a bitch, she called me one. AND it wouldve MAYBE been ok if he wouldve left the «asian» part out, but since he had to just throw it in there… we quickly walked away IN THE RAIN and tried to hail a cab on Grand Ave.
DO NOT SUPPORT COLLABORACTION. Especially since their supporters are raging ignorant PRETENTIOUS em. effers that cant even enjoy an event that is put to raise money for a cause. COLLABORACTION, you should be ashamed of yourself for associating with such trash. I will not and will tell others to NOT support your ridiculous cause that only pretentious hipsters can support. I’d like my money back.
Can a girl get a refund?
NO THANKS to COLLABORACTION!