Creating human-centered experiences in the city of Chicago.

Mission

(X) Collective is a group of theatre artists whose mission is to be in conversation and collaboration with our communities through service, reciprocal relationship-building, and community experiences.

We produce the following forms of experiences: 

  • Live performance (plays, musicals, dance, spoken word, concerts, etc)

  • Community conversations

  • Community service events

  • Communal gatherings (dinners, game nights, networking events)

We believe that communities do not exist just by happenstance - they are the divine result of humans coming together. We believe in the potential of those individual humans and are dedicated to their wellness and wholeness.

We believe that our wellness and wholeness as humans are directly tied to our relationships, and we believe in the power of community experiences to cultivate relationships.

An experience, though often intangible, has deep value. An experience can shape a thought, create a memory, birth a future changemaker, or shift the trajectory of a community.

WHAT WE VALUE

  • Antiracism and anti-oppression.

  • Endless learning.

  • Relationships over transactions.

  • Accountability (to ourselves and to our communities)

  • Community and humanity over product and labor.

  • Depth and connection over urgency.

  • Innovation over tradition.

  • Creativity, play, and joy.

How do we define “Community”?

Community = Relationships

Relationships are the energetic core of communities. They are the glue. They are the reason people keep showing up. They are the biggest (and yet ironically the most intangible) value that communities create. Relationships are the community’s soul and source of life. Without relationships, the community is an empty shell.

— Fabian Pfortmüller, Together Institute

We define community as a group of humans that come together, motivated by relationships. So many definitions of community exist – geographic, identity, social, professional, familial, interest-based, goal-based. George Hillery, in a 1995 publication, found 94 different definitions of community (and that was 20 years ago – we’ve only grown more complex). While there are some strong opinions out there around what is and what is not community, we have no interest in invalidating any organized groups of humans that consider themselves a community. If the desire and action of relationship is present, community exists. 

Core program components

Community Co-Productions and Investment Partnerships

  • We feel it is increasingly important to find innovative methods of sharing resources and amplifying those that are deeply rooted in their direct work for the Chicago community.

  • (X) Collective will strive to structure every collective experience and program as a co-production with a local community organization in Chicago.

  • Beyond engaging (featuring an ad in the playbill or bringing a representative to a talkback), (X) Collective is committed to investing our time and resources.

    • How can we expect the community to invest time in us if we don’t do the same?

  • (X) Collective members will also invest a certain number of volunteer hours in community partners alongside every program or production.

XPonential Circle Fund

  • For each program, 10% of the program budget will be allocated towards funds that will be distributed directly to members of the community.

  • The community that will receive the funds will be determined by the program theme and goals (for example, if we’re producing a performance that centers Black women elders, that round of funding will be dedicated to Black women elders).

  • These funds can be used to support anything from childcare to a doctor’s appointment to just taking a day off. Again, we are committed to the wellness and wholeness of the humans.

RECOGNITIONS

We feel it is crucial we acknowledge those who have nurtured us and influenced us:

Ready to collab with us?

let’s connect