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Collaboracation’s racial healing festival, ‘Encounter,’ continues this February throughout Chicago

January 24, 2018

CHICAGO – After a successful two week run at their home in Wicker Park, Collaboraction, Chicago’s home for social-issue driven contemporary theater, continues Encounter, a winter festival curated around the theme of Racism and Racial Healing in Chicago.

Collaboraction will tour select works of theater, visual art, music, video, dance and more that all debuted in January at Encounter to four Chicago Park District locations in different parts of the city for free performances every Saturday in February as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series.

The Encounter tour launches at the newly renovated Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood on Saturday, February 3 with two shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

“Collaboraction can’t wait to be one of the first free live shows in Chicago’s beautiful new theater on the lake,” said Anthony Moseley, Artistic Director of Collaboraction and Lead Curator of the Encounter Festival. “Encounter is an ideal choice, because it attracts artists and audiences from all over the city who want to use the arts to start critical conversations about race, an issue that impacts all of our citizens.”

Collaboraction then ventures to familiar territory, taking Encounter for free shows Saturday, February 10 at 3 p.m. at Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St. in Englewood; Saturday, February 17 at 3 p.m. at Kelyvn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave. in Hermosa; and Saturday, February 24 at 3 p.m. at La Follette Park, 1333 N Laramie Ave. in Austin.

Each performance includes post-show discussions with the artists and free soup. Tickets at all locations are free but reservations are recommended. To reserve and for information, visit collaboraction.org, email [email protected] or call (312) 226-9633.

Collaboraction continues to grow its relationships with these parks and the residents they serve with the return of free events and peace-focused community conversations. Encounter marks the sixth year that Collaboraction will tour works to Hamilton and La Follette Parks. Kelvyn Park is home to one of Collaboraction’s ASM (After School Matters) Programs.

More about Encounter

Encounter is a mixed medium series that combines a variety of short works of five to 20 minutes for a multi-sensory exploration of the reality of racism in Chicago today.

Encounter was curated through open and invited submissions from Chicago artists, and ultimately brought together more than 150 Chicago artists who use theater, music, dance, spoken word, and even humor to interrogate racism in Chicago and present the artists’ visions for racial healing.

Following are more details, dates and times about Collaboraction’s Encounter February tour:

Theater on the Lake

Saturday, February 3 at 5 p.m.

D on the South Side

Directed by Diana Quiñones Rivera

A short film about a Puerto Rican woman’s experience of race, privilege and hostility living in a predominantly black neighborhood in Chicago.

Of Wine and Chocolate

Choreographed by Elysia C. Banks

Racial healing can take many forms, but Banks likes to highlight open conversation. Her new dance piece Of Wine and Chocolate explores how women connect while honestly acknowledging and celebrating women’s different cultures, ideals and heritage. Performers include Sarah Baker, Erin Coffman, Michelle Reid, Jasmin Williams and Kariele Williams.

The Blue Eyed Devil

Written by Jharmaine Boyd

Directed by Ashley Williams

The theatrical story of a 1940s interracial Chicago couple: true love bears all things, but the burden of segregated Chicago may be too much. Featuring Joel Hunt and Jharmaine Boyd.

Sir Taylor and the Example Setters

The Example Setters, Chicago teens who set the example “all day, every day” with their spoken word, led by Collaboraction’s 2017 Artist Award Winner Sir Taylor, will blow audiences away with their poetry. Performers are Daquon Bakersville, LaShayla Bakersville, Ledell Johnson, Sebastian Stewart, Zachary Stewart, Montiara Taylor, Sir Taylor and Lee Wagner.

Dese Shoes

Written and performed by Loretta Hawkins

Harriet Tubman returns from heaven for one day to offer guidance to her people in this long-form poem, a fictitious narration of events in her life.

Jets, Sharks, and Beckys

By Nancy García Loza

Directed by Laura Alcala Baker

Meeting up at auditions for West Side Story, a trio of theater artists – Latinx and otherwise – debate the play’s racial elements and their own notions of inclusion and authenticity. This was a stand-out at Chicago’s Theater Community Coming Together to Fight Ism’s including Racism last September at Black Ensemble Theatre. Featuring Diego Colón, Erica Hernández and Maggie Scrantom.

Theater on the Lake

Saturday, February 3 at 8 p.m.

Exodus: Sounds of the Great Migration

Directed by Lonnie Edwards

With Executive Producer Robin Malpass

This new film about the Great Migration is a cinematic testament to the connection we will forever have with those who paved the way and continue to influence us.

We are Revolutionary

Devised by Collaboraction’s Teen Peacemakers Ensemble

Directed by Luis Crespo

Written, devised and performed by Crystal Alagna, Aasiyah Bintu-Bilal, Briana Smith and Gyna Thomas

An original devised piece written and developed by the Collaboraction Peacemaker Youth Ensemble exploring how minorities have been traumatized, beaten and oppressed by ignorance, history, war, media and a myriad of systems that are geared toward spreading feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. We Are Revolutionary is a piece that examines the idea of persevering beyond the hardships and injustices from our past, future and present.

Soul in Suburbia

Written and performed by Dana N. Anderson

Directed by Sandra Delgado

Anderson’s autobiographical, one-woman show is Chicagoland as seen through the lens of a black family settling in 1980’s suburbia. Also featuring Eva Saha.

Racism 101

Directed by Dionne Hawkins

Director of Photography Alex Groesch

Racism 101 is a documentary film in which Chicagoans recount their first experiences of racism.

Reaction Time

Written and performed by Sonya Y. Jackson

Directed by Wren T. Brown, Assistant Director Hannah Baker

Sonya Jackson, founder and principal, Mantra For Good and a board member with Chicago Ideas, writes and performs this solo play with music about her life and experiences with race and identity. Legendary TV/film actor and Artistic Director of L.A.’s Ebony Rep Theatre Wren T. Brown directs.

Hamilton Park

Saturday, February 10 at 3 p.m.

Exodus: Sounds of the Great Migration

Directed by Lonnie Edwards

Executive Producer Robin Malpass

This new film about the Great Migration is a cinematic testament to the connection we will forever have with those who paved the way and continue to influence us.

Gwendolyn Brooks: Each Body Has Its Art

Music by Marcus Dunleavey

Directed by Taylor Barfield

Choreography by Elysia C. Banks, in collaboration with Michelle Reid and Jasmin Williams

Projections, live dance, and music by famed guitarist Marcus Dunleavey help capture some of the power, emotion and wisdom of Brooks’s poetry and bring new life to a reading of her words. Featuring Marcus Dunleavy (guitar), Alex Groesch (cello), dancers Elysia C. Banks, Michelle Reid, with voice overs by Angela Jackson and Ebony Joy.

Of Wine and Chocolate

Choreographed by Elysia C. Banks

Racial healing can take many forms, but Banks likes to highlight open conversation. Her new dance piece Of Wine and Chocolate explores how women connect while honestly acknowledging and celebrating women’s different cultures, ideals and heritage. Performers include Sarah Baker, Erin Coffman, Michelle Reid, Jasmin Williams and Kariele Williams.

Dese Shoes

Written and performed by Loretta Hawkins

Harriet Tubman returns from heaven for one day to offer guidance to her people in this long-form poem, a fictitious narration of events in her life.

Sir Taylor and the Example Setters

The Example Setters, Chicago teens who set the example “all day, every day” with their spoken word, led by Collaboraction’s 2017 Artist Award Winner Sir Taylor, will blow audiences away with their poetry. Performers are Daquon Bakersville, LaShayla Bakersville, Ledell Johnson, Sebastian Stewart, Zachary Stewart, Montiara Taylor, Sir Taylor and Lee Wagner.

The Blue Eyed Devil

Written by Jharmaine Boyd

Directed by Ashley Williams

The theatrical story of a 1940s interracial Chicago couple: true love bears all things, but the burden of segregated Chicago may be too much. Featuring Joel Hunt and Jharmaine Boyd.

Racism 101

Directed by Dionne Hawkins

Director of Photography Alex Groesch

Racism 101 is a documentary film in which Chicagoans recount their first experiences of racism.

Kelvyn Park

Saturday, February 17 at 3 p.m.

Jets, Sharks, and Beckys

By Nancy García Loza

Directed by Laura Alcala Baker

Meeting up at auditions for West Side Story, a trio of theater artists—Latinx and otherwise—debate the play’s racial elements and their own notions of inclusion and authenticity. This was a stand-out at Chicago’s Theater Community Coming Together to Fight Ism’s including Racism last September at Black Ensemble Theatre. Featuring Diego Colón, Erica Hernández and Maggie Scrantom.

D on the South Side

Directed by Diana Quiñones Rivera

A short film about a Puerto Rican woman’s experience of race, privilege and hostility living in a predominantly black neighborhood in Chicago.

We are Revolutionary

Devised by Collaboraction’s Teen Peacemakers Ensemble

Directed by Luis Crespo

Written, devised and performed by Crystal Alagna, Aasiyah Bintu-Bilal, Briana Smith and Gyna Thomas

An original devised piece written and developed by the Collaboraction Peacemaker Youth Ensemble exploring how minorities have been traumatized, beaten and oppressed by ignorance, history, war, media and a myriad of systems that are geared toward spreading feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. We Are Revolutionary is a piece that examines the idea of persevering beyond the hardships and injustices from our past, future and present.

Soul in Suburbia

Written and performed by Dana N. Anderson

Directed by Sandra Delgado

Anderson’s autobiographical, one-woman show is Chicagoland as seen through the lens of a black family settling in 1980’s suburbia. Also featuring Eva Saha.

La Follette Park

Saturday, February 24 at 3 p.m.

Dese Shoes

Written and performed by Loretta Hawkins

Harriet Tubman returns from heaven for one day to offer guidance to her people in this long-form poem, a fictitious narration of events in her life.

The Blue Eyed Devil

Written by Jharmaine Boyd

Directed by Ashley Williams

The theatrical story of a 1940s interracial Chicago couple: true love bears all things, but the burden of segregated Chicago may be too much. Featuring Joel Hunt and Jharmaine Boyd.

Soul in Suburbia

Written and performed by Dana N. Anderson

Directed by Sandra Delgado

Anderson’s autobiographical, one-woman show is Chicagoland as seen through the lens of a black family settling in 1980’s suburbia. Also featuring Eva Saha.

Racism 101

Directed by Dionne Hawkins

Director of Photography Alex Groesch

Racism 101 is a documentary film in which Chicagoans recount their first experiences of racism.

Reaction Time

Written and performed by Sonya Y. Jackson

Directed by Wren T. Brown, Assistant Director Hannah Baker

Sonya Jackson, founder and principal, Mantra For Good and a board member with Chicago Ideas, writes and performs this solo play with music about her life and experiences with race and identity. Legendary TV/film actor and Artistic Director of L.A.’s Ebony Rep Theatre Wren T. Brown directs.

Not Quite: Asian American by Law, Asian Woman by Desire

Written and performed by Ada Cheng

PEACEBOOK Fest standout Ada Cheng’s original solo show exposes the perils of living under Trump for immigrant women of color. The phrase “not quite” connects three main themes: meanings of home, the fractured nature of Asian-American identity, and the intersection of gender, race, sexuality and immigration. Not Quite is a complex, politically urgent mix of personal stories, monologues and theater performance, intended to be an intervention in and challenge to current politics.

ABOUT COLLABORACTION

Collaboraction (collaboraction.org) collaborates with artists, community activists, and citizens from throughout the city to create original theatrical experiences that push artistic boundaries and explore critical social issues with a diverse community of Chicagoans. Collaboraction has worked with over 3,000 artists to bring more than 60 productions and events to upwards of 250,000 audience members.

Collaboraction culminates its 2017-18 season in April with A Blue Island in the Red Sea, a devised world premiere about the history and impact of racism in Chicago and imagining a path toward healing and transformation, created in collaboration with Chicagoans by Artistic Director Anthony Moseley and an ensemble of co-devisers.

Collaboraction, based on the third floor of Wicker Park’s historic Flat Iron Arts Building with three theatre spaces, is led by Artistic Director Anthony Moseley, Managing Director Dr. Marcus Robinson, and a dedicated staff and board of directors.

Collaboraction is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation via the MacArthur Foundation, and the Wicker Park & Bucktown SSA #33 Chamber of Commerce. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

For more, visit www.collaboraction.org, follow the company on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube or Instagram, or call the Collaboraction box office, (312) 226-9633.

About the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks program

Collaboraction’s Encounter Festival is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Arts programming in neighborhoods across the city advances the goals of the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Cultural Plan. Now in its sixth year, the 2018 Night Out in the Parks series will host over 1,000 cultural events and programs at more than 250 neighborhood parks throughout the city, making community parks a safe haven and hubs of activity. Projects will vary from traditional performances and concerts, to movies, peace rallies, community workshops, nature based programs, dance pieces, festivals and more. The Chicago Park District has partnered with more than 100 arts and community organizations to expand and produce this successful initiative.

For more information visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/night-out-in-the-parks.

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