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  "path": "/theater/2026/03/03/collaboraction-theatre-606-arts-corridor-chicago-stages-house-belonging",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-03T11:35:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.wbez.org",
  "textContent": "<p>A performing arts theater is the latest addition to what arts leaders say is an increasingly blooming arts scene along <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.the606.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/The606_printable_map.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>The 606</u></a> in Humboldt Park.</p><p>Collaboraction, a social justice-oriented theater company established in 1996, opened its new 4,000-square-foot ‘House of Belonging’ to the public this month at the former site of dog food and apparel store For Dog’s Sake.</p><p>The theater’s inaugural show in its new venue is <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.collaboraction.org/trial-in-the-delta-2026\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>“Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till,”</u></a> extended until March 15.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-af0000\" name=\"image-af0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5460dbc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2Ff8%2Ff208798e405f86e5733f30bc85d8%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-15.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7526a16/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2Ff8%2Ff208798e405f86e5733f30bc85d8%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-15.jpg 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d3c0714/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2Ff8%2Ff208798e405f86e5733f30bc85d8%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-15.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Audience members mingle before “Trial in the Delta: the Murder of Emmett Till” tat Collaboraction’s new space, which is inside Kimball Arts Center in Humboldt Park.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d3c0714/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2Ff8%2Ff208798e405f86e5733f30bc85d8%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-15.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d8ff580/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2Ff8%2Ff208798e405f86e5733f30bc85d8%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-15.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d3c0714/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff0%2Ff8%2Ff208798e405f86e5733f30bc85d8%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-15.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Audience members mingle before “Trial in the Delta: the Murder of Emmett Till” tat Collaboraction’s new space, which is inside Kimball Arts Center in Humboldt Park.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>The extension is a positive early sign for the theater group, which is a key tenant of the Kimball Arts Center. Collaboraction Theatre signed a 20-year lease with the building’s owner, Stocking Urban Development.</p><p>The new theater is opening at a particularly risky time for the arts. A year into President Donald Trump’s second term, his administration has ordered ideological audits of cultural institutions like the Smithsonian. Some grants awarded through <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/arts-culture/2025/05/06/nea-grants-trump-chicago-cultural-events\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>the National Endowment for the Arts</u></a> have been canceled.</p><p>In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed state budget leaves <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/arts-culture/2026/02/23/pritzker-budget-arts-funding-flat-illinois-2026-2027-grants-trump\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>funding flat </u></a>for the sector in the next fiscal year. Meanwhile, a January report by a coalition of independent venue owners said many of its members are <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/music/2026/02/03/chicago-indie-venues-health-metro-ramova-salt-shed\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>struggling to keep their lights on</u></a> due to rising costs and changing audience behavior.</p><p>Collaboraction leaders are optimistic that the House of Belonging will draw audiences, especially in a post-COVID 19 lockdown world where people are seeking meaningful human connection, said artistic director Anthony Moseley. </p><p>“People are now working at home. They watch their movies at home. This is a space to be with other people and experience art that is authentic and rooted in our belonging to one another,” he said.</p><p>The project cost between $800,000 and $1 million, said Collaboraction CEO Darlene Jackson, also known as Chicago house music queen <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/djladyd/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>DJ Lady D</u></a>. Significant donations and in-kind contributions from local arts foundations and organizations such as Illinois Humanities and the Chicago Community Trust helped underwrite the costs.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-900000\" name=\"image-900000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/423e9cc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5724x3212+0+302/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3c%2Fba%2Fed6749904bfb8df5c41baea339ee%2Fdsc0037-1.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2b564b9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5724x3212+0+302/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3c%2Fba%2Fed6749904bfb8df5c41baea339ee%2Fdsc0037-1.JPG 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/49f5a48/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5724x3212+0+302/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3c%2Fba%2Fed6749904bfb8df5c41baea339ee%2Fdsc0037-1.JPG\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Darlene Jackson, executive director and CEO of Collaboraction, is also known as DJ Lady D, a popular and widely respected house music DJ in Chicago.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/49f5a48/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5724x3212+0+302/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3c%2Fba%2Fed6749904bfb8df5c41baea339ee%2Fdsc0037-1.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/48bd6a0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5724x3212+0+302/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3c%2Fba%2Fed6749904bfb8df5c41baea339ee%2Fdsc0037-1.JPG 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/49f5a48/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5724x3212+0+302/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3c%2Fba%2Fed6749904bfb8df5c41baea339ee%2Fdsc0037-1.JPG\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Darlene Jackson, executive director and CEO of Collaboraction, is a popular and widely respected house music DJ who performs as Lady D.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Morgan Ciocca/Vocalo</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>In addition to the new 99-seat black box theater, the space includes a 49-seat lounge with a full-service bar and a small stage for variety shows, live-band karaoke, pre- and post-show community conversations and youth programming.</p><p>Jackson and Moseley are betting, too, that the building itself will become a destination. <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://kimballartschicago.com/tenants\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>The Kimball Arts Center already houses</u></a> tattoo shops, art studios, a coffee importer, a spa, a dog chew manufacturer, therapists’ offices and a salon. The building is home to artsy cafe Dayglow Coffee, too.</p><p>The theater’s presence has been received positively by other KAC tenants and ownership, Jackson said.</p><p>Foot traffic to the arts center is looking promising, especially with proximity to The 606, also known as the Bloomingdale Trail. The 2.7 elevated trail runs east to west along Bloomingdale Avenue before ending at the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/exelon-observatory\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Exelon Observatory</u></a>.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-570000\" name=\"image-570000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b2c9ce8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F16%2F83%2F21728e6148ba9d51a1c9cb151645%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-27.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e27e649/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F16%2F83%2F21728e6148ba9d51a1c9cb151645%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-27.jpg 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa714ae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F16%2F83%2F21728e6148ba9d51a1c9cb151645%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-27.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"The Kimball Arts Center is located at 1757 N. Kimball Ave. in Humboldt Park.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa714ae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F16%2F83%2F21728e6148ba9d51a1c9cb151645%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-27.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1f364d9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F16%2F83%2F21728e6148ba9d51a1c9cb151645%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-27.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa714ae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F16%2F83%2F21728e6148ba9d51a1c9cb151645%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-27.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>The Kimball Arts Center is located at 1757 N. Kimball Ave. in Humboldt Park.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>New energy is flowing into the building, with the majority of the theater’s programming happening outside of normal working hours on evenings and weekends. And when the theater hosts matinee shows, attendees are “exploring the building” and shopping with other tenants, Jackson said.</p><p>Previously, Collaboraction operated out of the Flatiron Arts Building in Wicker Park.</p><p>But Humboldt Park’s House of Belonging is helping usher in “a new generation, a new decade for Collaboration. It's a new era,” Jackson said, especially as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.</p><p>As a community-centered organization, Collaboraction’s mission goes beyond platforming its own work. With actor and playwright Sandra Delgado at the helm, the group launched its “You Belong Here” series.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-140000\" name=\"image-140000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2959739/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6834x3835+0+360/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffb%2F1a%2F12e25c094e75960e3e8c7a37c8b1%2Fcollabnewspace-260225.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6dfcc1e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6834x3835+0+360/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffb%2F1a%2F12e25c094e75960e3e8c7a37c8b1%2Fcollabnewspace-260225.jpg 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/537aca6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6834x3835+0+360/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffb%2F1a%2F12e25c094e75960e3e8c7a37c8b1%2Fcollabnewspace-260225.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"COLLABNEWSPACE_260225.jpg\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/537aca6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6834x3835+0+360/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffb%2F1a%2F12e25c094e75960e3e8c7a37c8b1%2Fcollabnewspace-260225.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/22e1548/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6834x3835+0+360/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffb%2F1a%2F12e25c094e75960e3e8c7a37c8b1%2Fcollabnewspace-260225.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/537aca6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6834x3835+0+360/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffb%2F1a%2F12e25c094e75960e3e8c7a37c8b1%2Fcollabnewspace-260225.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Kimball Arts Center, located at 1757 N. Kimball Ave. in Humboldt Park, is seen in this photo, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>The House of Belonging program highlights hyperlocal talent through one-night events and a few anchor programs. As part of the deal, the artists benefit from not just a place to perform, but they get technology, marketing and production support, Jackson said.</p><p>A regular anchor event of “You Belong Here” is Rudy Mendoza’s Spanish-language <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/bilingualimprovschool/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Bilingual Improv School</u></a>, where all levels of language fluency and improv experience are welcome to attend drop-in classes or enroll in the eight-week program.</p><p>And in February, Collaboraction hosted a comedy and music jam with multi-hyphenates <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/binkey1/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Binkey</u></a> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thatsmaxthomas/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>& Max</u></a> and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.instagram.com/windyindiemusic/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>violinist Windy Indie</u></a> as part of a Friday night showcase.</p><p>“We really want to support and be a space for artists in the area,” Jackson said. “You don't have to go Downtown or to the Far North Side … It could happen for you in your community.”</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-600000\" name=\"image-600000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0bd91a5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fa0%2Fd60e03fc4862af793db8f20aad7f%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-14.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f809ac8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fa0%2Fd60e03fc4862af793db8f20aad7f%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-14.jpg 2x\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0b5faa4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fa0%2Fd60e03fc4862af793db8f20aad7f%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-14.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"COLLABNEWSPACE_260225_14.jpg\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0b5faa4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fa0%2Fd60e03fc4862af793db8f20aad7f%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-14.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/49dc20a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fa0%2Fd60e03fc4862af793db8f20aad7f%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-14.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0b5faa4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+369/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F31%2Fa0%2Fd60e03fc4862af793db8f20aad7f%2Fcollabnewspace-260225-14.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Collaboraction CEO and Executive Director Darlene Jackson and Chief Programming Officer and Artistic Director Anthony Moseley stand inside the theater of Collaboraction at Kimball Arts Center in Humboldt Park, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p>",
  "title": "Collaboraction Theatre opens new House of Belonging in arts corridor along 606",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-03T11:35:02.263Z"
}