YOUTH ACTIVISTS BRING ‘THE LIGHT’ WITH PERFORMANCES
Collaboraction is known for its work in the social justice space, using theatre and film to bring about positive change through the power of storytelling. In 2021, it founded The Light, a youth education program focused on youth artists with a changemaking message. These young people have been performing throughout the city to spread their message at festivals which include Kidapalooza and Silver Room Block Party.
While Collaboraction has been working with youth since 2015, during the pandemic, it wanted to create a system that was more in line with its adult programs and its mission to cultivate social change. They came up with the concept to pick a small group of exceptional artists who had passion and a voice for social justice issues, pairing them with a professional mentor, for a whole year.
“Really, the idea of creating the next generation of social changemakers. Artists that are really not just trained to be excellent at executing their craft and sharing their hopes and dreams and their voice, but also, directly focused on cultivating social change in Chicago,” said Anthony Moseley, artistic director of Collaboraction.
Phallon Pierce, Kyra Pierce and Cortez Lewis are three youth arts activists who are participating in this year’s program. The Pierce Twins, Kyra and Phallon are known for their dances that tie-in a social justice and spoken word component. They also made a book list with a diverse list for elementary school aged children, as well as created a nonprofit called Positive Change Charities.
“Collaboraction really helps us get our message out in a way that we can relate to people. Anyone can watch, dance, or listen to people sing, and that positive form of art can help people relate to us,” Phallon said.
Cortez has done work with racial equity in the education system during his time in high school. Now, in college, Cortez performs poetry and his music with organizations that push social
change. Cortez will perform a new piece that he will be debuting on their tour.
The young people work on creating a piece that is seven minutes or less that gives voice to a social justice issue the young person is focused on bringing change to. With the support of Toyota and Malnati Family Foundation, The Light can operate yearlong.
“The ultimate goal is to create social change around equity in Chicago, around peace and dismantling oppression, racism and classism. We think that young artists that have exceptional talent and craft, as well as a platform for their voice … we really need to hear from them,” Moseley said.
The hope is that these young art activists will create this kind of social justice art for years to come. The Light will perform at the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks on Thursday, Aug. 18th, at Douglass Park; Friday, Aug. 19th, at LaFollette Park; and on Saturday, Aug. 20ht, at Hamilton Park.
For more information about Collaboraction and The
Light, visit www.collaboraction.org.
