Collaboraction Theatre Company has broken ground on its new home inside the Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N. Kimball Avenue in Chicago’s Humboldt Park community, right off the 606.
More than 70 supporters, including Chicago 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, Humboldt Park and Chicago theater artists and leaders, owners and fellow residents of Kimball Arts Center gathered Thursday, February 13, at Collaboraction’s new home for a groundbreaking celebration, public comments, hard hat tours and a champagne toast.
Collaboraction Theatre leaders, board members, artists, funders and supporters uncorked confetti cannons as the final act of the company’s groundbreaking ceremony on February 13 in its new home, now under construction inside the Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N. Kimball Ave. in Chicago’s Humboldt Park community. Credit: Joel Maisonet
Anthony Moseley, Chief Programming Officer and Artistic Director, Collaboraction Credit: Joel Maisonet
“Here we are breaking metaphorical ground on our new theater, lounge, digital production studio and community for social change,” said Collaboraction Artistic Director Anthony Moseley. “When Collaboraction was founded 29 years ago, we could have never imagined the current division in our country and the need for theater, film, storytelling and community events to foster belonging and action imbued with the ethos of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Our House of Belonging is becoming a movement, one that many partners have responded to. They’re stepping up to the plate during this critical moment to reinforce a simple truth: ‘It’s Up to Us.’”
Chicago 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes Credit: Joel Maisonet
"I am proud to welcome Collaboraction to the 26th Ward, and I am particularly excited for the economic impact live theater will bring to Kimball Avenue,“ said Chicago 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes. "Poetry, theater and hip-hop literally saved my life when I was looking for community growing up in Humboldt Park. It was art that made me a politician. So this groundbreaking means more to young people and families than many of you may know or believe."
Collaboraction’s new “House of Belonging” will feature a 99-seat flexible studio theater and a 50-seat cabaret with a cafe/bar. The 4,000-square foot space will be a community hub presenting live theater, spoken word, music, dance, films, workshops and special events, produced by Collaboraction and with guest artists and companies.
Both spaces will be equipped with HD multicam systems to stream live and recorded content worldwide. It also will be home to The Light, Collaboraction’s youth artist-activist program, and a destination for youth events, open mics, workshops, community gatherings and more.
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia Credit: Joel Maisonet
"Congratulations to Collaboraction Theatre Company on breaking ground for the House of Belonging—a space that will impact far beyond Humboldt Park," said Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia. “This will be a cornerstone of change through amplifying diverse voices, sharing stories of social change and uniting us through art.”
Collaboraction CEO and Executive Director Darlene Jackson Credit: Joel Maisonet
“Welcome to Collaboraction, Chicago’s new ‘House of Belonging,’” said Collaboraction CEO and Executive Director Darlene Jackson. “Our goal is to build a thriving arts hub in Humboldt Park, one that amplifies diverse voices and broadcasts stories of social change to the world.”
Collaboraction Managing Director and COO Beverly Dines Credit: Joel Maisonet
“At Collaboraction, we recognize that the nation is changing,” added Collaboraction Managing Director and COO Beverly Dines. “It’s thanks to innovators like our supporters and generous funders that we are able to make this house a home. It is thanks to you that we are empowered to push forward despite the noise.”
Collaboraction Theatre Company CEO and Executive Director Darlene Jackson (left) welcomed community leaders, press, funders, and supporters at the company’s groundbreaking celebration at Collaboraction’s new home – a “House of Belonging” – now under construction in Humboldt Park’s Kimball Arts Center. Credit: Joel Maisonet
Montiara Davis, a talented member of Collaboraction’s The Light youth training program, performed an original poem at Collaboraction’s groundbreaking ceremony at its new home in the Kimball Arts Center in Humboldt Park. Credit: Joel Maisonet
Chicago 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes (foreground) and Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia at Collaboraction’s groundbreaking celebration. Credit: Joel Maisonet
Collaboraction Board President Pat Merryweather-Arges (foreground) and Board Member David Cherry applaud at Collaboraction’s groundbreaking. Credit: Joel Maisonet
Collaboraction leaders, board members, artists, funders and supporters popped confetti cannons at the company’s groundbreaking event at the Kimball Arts Center. Credit: Joel Maisonet
(from left) Chicago 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and Collaboraction Theatre Company CEO and Executive Director Darlene Jackson at Collaboraction’s groundbreaking celebration on February 13. Credit: Joel Maisonet
Pictured, from left, at Collaboraction Theatre Company’s groundbreaking at Humboldt Park’s Kimball Arts Center: Collaboraction Board Members Eva Saha, David Cherry and Maria Pike, founding Company Member Sandra Delgado, CPO and Artistic Director Anthony Moseley, COO and Managing Director Beverly Dines, CEO and Executive Director Darlene Jackson, Board Secretary Dr. Marcus Robinson, past Board President Justin Frick, and current Board President Pat Merryweather-Arges. Credit: Joel Maisonet
Making a House a Home: Collaboraction’s new House of Belonging
Collaboraction is excited to be a new performing arts destination inside Kimball Arts, already home to a diverse and passionate community of independent artists, makers and creative professionals.
“Before the pandemic, we were the resident theater for 10 years at Wicker Park’s Flatiron Building,” said Moseley. “One of the joys of being there was being part of a large and diverse community of artists. Kimball Arts provides much the same setting in an incredibly vibrant and welcoming new atmosphere.”
To ensure its new House of Belonging feels like home, Collaboraction has issued a public all-call soliciting donations of recycled house materials, family heirlooms and special objects to be embedded into the interior design of its entry, cabaret and lounge space. To learn how to donate, visit hob@collaboraction.org.
Collaboraction’s 99-seat performance space will be a clean, hi-tech studio with high-end light, sound and video equipment. The space will serve as a digital studio for video projects and a learning space for youth interested in careers in production and tech. Backstage, artists and staff will have access to a new tech booth, green room, two dressing rooms, bathrooms, storage and an exterior dock.
Most evenings, the Kimball Arts parking lot will offer spaces for theatergoers, with free and metered parking around the building. The 82 Kimball-Homan CTA bus stops in front of the building. It’s also a short walk from the 72 North and 73 Armitage bus lines. For bikers and pedestrians, the Kimball trailhead on The 606 leads directly to Kimball Arts Center.
Collaboraction at Kimball Arts ground and space conceptual renderings courtesy Cordogan, Clark & Associates
To manifest its new home, Collaboraction has launched a $3 million House of Belonging capital campaign. The campaign launched with a $200,000 grant from the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Other lead supporters include ETC’s Light the Way Program, Kerry James Marshall and Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Cordogan, Clark & Associates, AV Chicago, The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, and The LaChapelle Family Foundation, among others. To donate, visit collaboraction.org/our-new-house-of-belonging.
Cordogan, Clark & Associates are the project architects. General contractor is Troy Riley, Oakwood Construction. Doc Sanjurjo of Wake the Giant is interior designer. AV Chicago is overseeing the technical plan. Lee Dickson, Baum Realty Group, was Collaboraction’s realtor.
Learn more about the loft offices, retail, flex space, and artists studios at Kimball Arts at kimballartschicago.com.
Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N. Kimball Ave, where Humboldt Park meets Logan Square
About Collaboraction
Collaboraction is a 29-year-old, ethno-diverse non-profit arts organization that builds knowledge, empathy, dialogue and action around oppression and inequity through live theater, film, radio and online interactive programs. Across all platforms, Collaboraction uses its KEDA methodology - Knowledge, Empathy, Dialogue and Action - to spark changes in behavior and attitudes that manifest social change.
Collaboraction’s work includes the three-time Emmy Award-winning The Lost Story of Emmett Till: Trial in the Delta, its House of Belonging event series, The Light Youth Ensemble, live productions of Moonset Sunrise, A Blue Island In the Red Sea and its annual Peacebook Festival. In addition to live performances, community building and video production, Collaboraction centers and presents its work in historically overlooked Chicago neighborhoods like Englewood, Austin and Lawndale.
Collaboraction’s awards include three Emmys, a Distinguished Service to the Arts Award, DCASE’s Foster Innovation Award, two Silver Gavel nominations and an Honorable Mention from the American Bar Association. In 2022, Collaboraction was one of the first theaters in the U.S. to be certified by On Our Team, a national trade organization advocating for pay equity and transparency in the live theater industry.
Collaboraction is supported by its growing ranks of Collaboractivists, individuals who support the company’s social change mission with a monthly contribution, starting at just $1. To join, visit collaboraction.org/memberships.
Collaboraction is supported in part by AV Chicago, Marc and Jeanne Malnati Family Foundation, Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, Paul M. Angell Foundation, Naperville Rotary Club, Field Foundation, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
To learn more, visit collaboraction.org or follow Collaboraction on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Bluesky.