Collaboraction opens submissions for ninth-annual SKETCHBOOK in Chicago

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I just received the following press release.

Collaboraction Opens Submissions For Ninth-Annual SKETCHBOOK
Collaboraction stages first-ever SKETCHBOOK Jr., announces new submission categories

CHICAGO – Collaboraction announces its call for submissions for the 9th annual SKETCHBOOK FestivalTM. Over the past eight years, SKETCHBOOK has received more than 5,000 short plays submissions, and has presented 138 world premiere short plays for more than 30,000 audience members. This year Collaboraction increases the scope and scale of the innovative festival with expanded submission categories introducing “Live Music Videos,” “Devised Work” as well as the debut of SKETCHBOOK Jr., a new component to incorporate the original work of young artists, as well as invite young adult audiences to experience SKETCHBOOK.

The deadline for submissions for the 9th annual SKETCHBOOK Festival is Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. To submit, visit http://www.collaboraction.org. The 9th annual SKETCHBOOK Festival will take place at the Building Stage; 412 N. Carpenter in April/May of 2009. Exact dates TBD.

SKETCHBOOK 2009 submission categories:

Playwright Generated World Premiere Short Plays: For the past eight years, SKETCHBOOK has produced playwright generated world premiere plays. Once again, SKETCHBOOK seeks world premiere short plays of less than seven pages and seven minutes. It is highly encouraged that submitters take a risk and explore theatrical possibilities in regards to form, concept and staging.

Devised or Ensemble Generated World Premiere Short Works that are “New American Fables”: SKETCHBOOK seeks submissions from directors and/or theater ensembles to create a piece of theater under seven minutes that is a “New American Fable” through a process that is led by a vision or idea, as opposed to a scripted play.

Live Music Videos: SKETCHBOOK seeks dance choreographers, companies and/or directors with a strong background in movement and staging large theatrical experiences to create a piece of dance theater around a popular or recognizable song that is seven minutes or less.

SKETCHBOOK Jr.: Collaboraction seeks SKETCHBOOK Jr. Submissions of world premiere short plays of seven minutes or less that are intended for young audiences ages 7 – 12 from playwrights of all ages.

“Now that we have established SKETCHBOOK as one of the premiere short play festivals and emerging theatre artist incubators, we will be taking on the task of expanding the festival in content and form through the introduction of new submissions categories, which will allow for more risks on stage while continuing to develop new audiences.” stated Anthony Moseley, Executive Artistic Director of Collaboraction.

Once again, Collaboraction will partner with the Civic and Arts Foundation of the Union League to award three playwrights 30 years old and under who live within 100 miles of Chicago a $1000 award each. Last year’s winners were Emily Schwartz for Cowboy Birthday Party; Drew Dir for The Lurker Radio Hour and Ira Gammerman for DATED: a Cautionary Tale for Facebook Users.

SKETCHBOOK is a play festival like no other. Every year Collaboraction guides over 200 artists through an exciting collaboration of music, art and theatrical performances. SKETCHBOOK is Chicago’s leading collaborative celebration with 15-20 short performances of seven minutes or less. Every night a different musical guest creates a sonic environment before, between, and after the performances allowing each night its own unique power. Contemporary visual art installed throughout the space creates an additional dialogue with the mood of the performances.

This year, Collaboraction is proud to debut the first-ever SKETCHBOOK ‘08 Anthology: The Complete Plays. Featuring all 14 world premiere plays from the 8th Annual SKETCHBOOK Festival, the SKETCHBOOK Anthology is priced at $20 and available online at http://www.collaboraction.org, or can be purchased at Collaboraction’s offices at 437 N. Wolcott, Chicago, IL 60622

Collaboraction is currently presenting the world premiere of Jon, a futuristic fable about teenage love in a corporate universe where television commercials replace life experiences. Adapted from the innovative story by MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship awardee George Saunders and adapted and directed by Collaboraction Associate Artistic Director Seth Bockley, this world premiere production invites the audience into a multi-media test-marketing laboratory, and unfolds a surreal and moving coming-of-age story.

Jon runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 7 p.m., closing on Dec. 14, 2008. Tickets are $25. A special offer of $15 tickets is available for people ages 25 and under. Industry tickets available at door for $10 on Thursdays and Sundays with headshot/resume. Student discounted tickets are available for $5 for Thursday and Sunday performances with valid student ID. For tickets, visit http://www.collaboraction.org or call 312.226.9633.

Collaboraction celebrates its 13th year as a Chicago-based arts organization and remains focused on becoming a national leader of contemporary theatre. By incorporating innovative artists and inter-disciplinary collaboration, Collaboraction audiences are sure to experience groundbreaking theatrical and art-based events. Presenting such smash hits as 2007’s critically acclaimed production of The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow: an instant message with excitable music and the current critically-acclaimed world premiere production of Jon, Collaboraction has worked with more than 2,500 artists to bring more than 60 productions and events to more than 50,000 audience members.