Ovation and Comcast Honor Collaboraction Theatre Company

Stand for the Arts Advocacy Initiative Makes $10,000 Contribution to Theater

Award Ceremony Scheduled for May 7 at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago

May 1, 2018 – Collaboraction, Chicago’s home for social-issue driven contemporary theatre, announced it has been selected as the Chicago recipient of Ovation’s first ever “Stand for the Arts Award” in partnership with Comcast.  Stand for the Arts, Ovation’s signature arts advocacy campaign, is a national initiative to raise awareness, protect access, and encourage action on behalf of the arts.  Ovation is partnering with Comcast to recognize outstanding local arts, cultural and educational organizations and programs in local Comcast markets across the country.

Collaboraction is being acknowledged for its original productions and community engagement work, which has had an impact on critical social issues and incited change in the communities the company serves. As the winner, Collaboraction will receive a $10,000 contribution.

“Comcast is thrilled that Collaboraction is receiving the Stand for the Arts Award,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s regional senior vice president. “Collaboraction has a long history of calling attention to important issues impacting the Chicago area, and we hope this award will help the organization continue to deliver on its important mission.”

“Ovation is proud to recognize Collaboration for their positive impact on the diverse local arts scene in Chicago,” said Ovation’s John Malkin, executive vice president, content distribution. “We greatly appreciate our strong partnership with Comcast, going into communities around the country and supporting local organizations like Collaboraction that bring the power of art to their neighborhoods.”

Ovation and Comcast are hosting a Stand for the Arts Award Ceremony honoring Collaboraction Monday, May 7, at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., in Chicago at 10 a.m. with an arts panel discussion and live taping of “Broadway in Chicago Backstage” featuring panelists Miguel Cervantes (Alexander Hamilton in HAMILTON), Esther Grimm (3 Arts), Nena Torres (University of Illinois in Chicago) and Dr. Marcus Robinson (Collaboraction). There will also be a short performance by Collaboraction.  To learn more and register to attend the event, visit http://bit.ly/SFTAAwardCollaboraction.

About Collaboraction


Collaboraction 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 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 The Joyce Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, 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 collaboraction.org, follow the company on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube or Instagram, or call the Collaboraction box office, (312) 226-9633.

About OVATION, America’s Only Arts Network

Art has the power to inspire us, elevate our thinking, and awaken our senses. As an independent television, production and digital media company, OVATION has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture and captivating entertainment. Showcasing a lineup of critically-acclaimed premium dramas, arts-related specials and documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION salutes innovative storytelling, lives for the art in entertainment, finds beauty in the everyday, and applauds art in unexpected places. OVATION is available to nearly 50M subscribers via cable, satellite and telco systems. Through THE OVATION FOUNDATION, the company is committed to advocating for the arts, nationally and locally, and has provided more than $15M in contributions and in-kind support to arts institutions and arts education.  You can follow OVATION on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, https://comca.st/2FyVvoP, and through our App, OVATION NOW.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.  Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses.  It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit here for more information.

With around 6,500 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan. “Like” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting @Comcast. “Follow” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.