PRESS & AWARDS

PRESS

The press generated by Collaboraction demonstrates how Chicago’s performing arts and artists can provide a unique and critical role in local and national social activism.

CBS

Chicago theater group confronts racism through discussion

“One conversation at a time toward a more perfect union.” -Adriana Diaz

NBC 5 CHICAGO

Emmett Till Trial Reenactment Hits Chicago Social Justice Theatre

Reported by LeAnn
Trotter and introduced by Marion Brooks

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Collaboraction play ‘Trial in the Delta’ brings the transcript of Emmett Till’s 1955 murder trial to the stage: "This is like we’re keeping the casket open."

Author: Darcel Rockett

WBEZ

Collaboraction leads in social justice theatre as larger arts organizations catch up
By Steve Bynum

On Reset with Sasha Ann-Simons
“What I would love to see…is that we see each other as human beings first.” -Saudia Davis on air.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE ON PEACEBOOK

Collaboraction’s Peacebook includes Karen Olivo in her first time on stage since departing Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’
By Jerald Pierce

“This will be the first time ever that I will be in a theatrical space and maintain my identity, and that is really impactful to me given this last year.” -Karen Olivo

NYT LA HAVANA MADRID COVERAGE

A Lost Latino Hotspot Is Reborn on a Chicago Stage

Quote: Sandra Delgado wrote and stars in “La Havana Madrid,” about a Chicago nightclub that was a hub for the city’s Latino community.
Author: Kris Vire

By Jerald Pierce

“This will be the first time ever that I will be in a theatrical space and maintain my identity, and that is really impactful to me given this last year.” -Karen Olivo

AMERICAN THEATRE

Chicago’s Collaboraction Launches Mental Health PSA Effort
By American Theatre Editors

“This pandemic and the closure of our stages has turned the tides and it is really important that we focus on the amazing individuals who make up the Chicago theatre community.”
-Anthony Moseley addressing the purpose of Call Time.

HYDE PARK HERALD

Collaboraction Theatre creates digital platform to showcase theater for social change
By Anne Spiselman

“Fast forward to 2020 and the dual pandemics of Covid-19 and social injustice, and Collaboraction felt the need to push through the challenges by doubling down on programming. The goal: to cultivate knowledge, understanding, dialogue, and action regarding oppression and the ensuing poverty and inequity.”

CHICAGO READER - PEACEBOOK

Collaboraction’s Peacebook performance festival tackles an ‘epidemic of inequity’
By Dan Jakes

“With so many bitter pills to be swallowed about segregation, gun violence, racial discord, and attitudes toward immigration, a little joy goes a long way, and there’s joy to be found here in spades.” -Dan Jakes

WTTW

Chicago Tonight Interview by Phil Ponce with Anthony Moseley and Sir Taylor on the touring production of Crime Scene: Breathe Life

WTTW - Family Tree Stories

Chicago Tonight covers the purpose of Collaboraction’s ‘Family Tree Stories’ with arts correspondent Angel Idowu

CRIME SCENE: A CHICAGO ANTHOLOGY" by Collaboraction Theatre Company

By: Chris Jones
Quote: “...Works as a piece of theater primarily because it brings up enough separate contributing factors that your head reels, and because it feels real.”

OUR ONE IMPOSSIBLE THING: A Review of Collaboraction’s “We Still Dream: The 5th Annual Peacebook Festival”

By: Erin Shea Brady
Quote: “Firsthand accounts from communities of color, trans and queer communities and disabled individuals…together these pieces make up a moving and definitive snapshot of this moment in time.”

SECOND ANNUAL PEACEBOOK BRINGS CHICAGO’S WOUNDS TO THE FOREFRONT

By: Lauren Warnecke
Quote: "The argument can be made that theater is action in and of itself — that the most vulnerable and misunderstood Chicagoans might heal by coming together and telling their stories

THE FULCRUM

How theatre can can lead to constructive political conversations
By: Fulcrum Staff

Quote: “[Collaboraction] invites its crew and audience members alike to listen and learn from one another, bringing their disagreements and questions in tow.”

AWARDS

Collaboraction has won a number of national and local awards acknowledging our artistic excellence, our commitment to community engagement, and our innovative and effective use of art as a catalyst for change and social justice.

Comcast & Ovation TV Stand for the Arts Award

Comcast and Ovation TV honored Collaboraction with the first Stand for the Arts Award in 2018, "acknowledging Collaboraction’s community engagement work, collaborating with artists, community activists and citizens from throughout the city to create original productions that explore critical social issues."

The Otto Rene Castillo Award for Political Theatre

The Otto Rene Castillo Award for Political Theatre
The Castillo Theatre's 20th Annual Otto Awards ceremony was held on Sunday, November 11, 2018. Collaboraction was awarded for the company's "focus on engaging racism and poverty as the root causes of Chicago's epidemic of violence."

Pictured left is Collaboraction Artistic Director, Anthony Moseley, along with fellow honorees (front row left to right) Eduardo Machado, Mia Katigbak, Anthony Moseley of Collaboration and (back row, left to right) Dan Friedman, Beau Willimon, Woodie King, Jr., Todd London, David Cherry, Diane Stiles and John Rankin III.

Emmy Award

Collaboraction was recognized with an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Outstanding Achievement for Human Interest, Long Form, for "The Lost Story of Emmett Till: Trial in the Delta" in 2022.

American Bar Association Silver Gavel Awards

Collaboraction received two Honorable Mentions at the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Awards in July 2023.

Multiracial Unity Award of the Racial Justice Task Force

The Racial Justice Task Force of the First Unitarian Church of Chicago awarded Collaboraction with the 2020 Multiracial Unity Award for our work as an ethno-diverse company using theatre to dismantle oppression and unite Chicago.

Foster Innovation Award

The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events awarded Collaboraction with the 2020 Foster Innovation Award for outstanding work in theatre.