The CollaborAction Theatre Company’s second annual festival of short plays features 16 world premieres, including sketches by David Mamet, Eric Bogosian, Brett Neveu, Regina Taylor, Beth Henley, and Wendy MacLeod. This “progressive mixed-media festival” also features visual art (environmental design by Wesley Kimler as well as a display of drawings by local artists, including Ed Paschke and Tony Fitzpatrick, which will be silently auctioned throughout the festival); DJs creating soundscapes 45 minutes before each performance; and a live video Web broadcast on closing night.
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Sketchbook ‘One takes place at the Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western, with shows nightly at 8 PM from February 21 through March 3; each night features a different program of nine sketches. A closing-night marathon performance of all 16 entries will begin at 6 PM on Sunday, March 4; at this show, the sketches will be judged by a panel of dramaturgs, agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals as well as artists in various media. Tickets for the shows February 21 through March 3 are $15 per night; admission on March 4 is $25, which includes a closing-night party. Festival passes, which cost $25, offer admission to all shows except the closing night. For more information, call 312-409-2741 or visit the festival Web site at www.collaboraction.org.
Scenes From the New World
Joe Brady’s portrait of a couple trapped in a vestibule is directed by John Gawlik.
Goodbye Pablo, Goodbye George
Samien Schoen’s play concerns a conflict between two men; it’s directed by Barry Brunetti.
See listing for Wednesday.