Collaboration LAB 2023
Collaboration LAB is a FREE open-stage program for new work & talent Incubation & Networking under the Talent Development programs area.
- Host: Varies
- Co-host: Shianne Dingeman; Gina Hill; Arie Knyazev
- Color Commentator: Matthew Heyer
Collaboration LAB is funded through Placer Rep general funds, and by generous donations from patrons, like YOU!
Visual artists – Poets – Singer/Songwriters – Comedians – Actors – Chambers of Commerce – Filmmakers – Dancers – Civic Organizations – Historians – Novelists – Architects – Play and Screen Writers – Drum groups – Designers – CREATIVES OF ALL TYPES!
LAB Events in 2023: 4th Sunday of each month, January thru October @ 7 PM
- Q1: January 29, February 26, March 26
- Q2: April 23, May 28, June 25
- Q3: July 23, August 27, September 24
- Q4: October 22
and don’t miss Placer Rep’s Annual Holiday Party on Sunday, December 10!
(It’s Collaboration LAB, Company Party and Thank You to our Patrons party – all rolled into one!)
Collaboration LAB is a FREE EVENT
RESERVE A SEAT on EVENTBRITE (Free) and WIN PRIZES:
Register for a chance to Win $100 in local goods/services!
Monthly drawing for those who register (free) on Eventbrite.com. Must be present on-site to win.
Comedian Funny Robert, Guest Host for Collaboration LAB March & April 2023.
- January 29, 2023
- Theme: The Divine Spark — That electric moment when we decide that we must make art. That moment in which we understand that we are, in fact, creators.
- Music: A Million Dreams (Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman), What a Feeling (Irene Cara, FAME)
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Lynn Manuel – Push on, inspiration will come. Persistence, honoring importance of your work and when inspiration strikes.
- Headliner: Ray Baldonade, CME, Music Therapy, sang and accompanied himself on two songs
- Presenters: Matthew Kaiser (musician, singer/songwriter), Comedian Funny Robert, vocal performance by Audrey Ella Garland, writer Melissa Cassayre, actor Kyla Quinn, writer Anne Merino and audience members on the OPEN STAGE…
- February 26, 2023
- Theme: Blank Page – The place where we start. The blank page, the empty stage, the untouched lump of clay. How do we begin?
- Subtheme: National Black History and Awareness Month
- Music: Star Dust (Louis Armstrong), Blue Rondo A La Turk (Al Jarreau)
- Aspirational/Inspirational: How We Can Consciously Generate Inspiration – Storytellers Channel
- Headliner: Profile of Jean Michel Basquiat (retrospective/discussion)
- Monthly Sponsor(s): Dickey’s Barbecue (Pleasant Grove, Roseville), Starbucks (Granite Drive, Rocklin)
- Theme: Blank Page – The place where we start. The blank page, the empty stage, the untouched lump of clay. How do we begin?
- March 26, 2023
- Theme: Obstacle – The thing that keeps us from developing our work. From the mundane and practical to a simple lack of confidence.
- Music: “Finishing the Hat” from Sunday in the Park with George (Stephen Sondheim), “Ice Cream” from Sara McLachlan
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Writer/Activist/Professional Troublemaker on facing and overcoming fear.
- Headliner: Jennifer Johnson, Auburn Sculptor (http://jjohnsonstudio.com/)
- Presenters: Funny Robert (Guest Host), Daniel Carillo, Amber Zajec, Carrie Meyers, Wesley Hoffman, Craig Dunlap and audience members on the OPEN STAGE…
- Monthly Sponsor(s): Dickey’s Barbecue (Pleasant Grove, Roseville), Four Sisters Cafe (Fairway Dr., Roseville)
- April 23, 2023
- Theme: Admiration – Our influences, our inspiration. The other artists who shaped our creative world and how we approach the work.
- Music: Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole “Wind beneath my Wings” and Warren Barfield “You Inspire Me”
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Mickalene Thomas on Her Materials and Artistic Influences
- Headliner: Celebrating James Caldie, composer, Broadway performer, friend
- Presenters: Craig Dunlap, singer/songwriter/musician, Comedians Funny Robert and Morty the Mortician, Novelist Allison Arredondo, and audience members on the OPEN STAGE…
- Monthly Sponsor(s): Fast Track Hobbies (Rocklin)
- May 28, 2023
- Theme: The Long & Winding Road – Recognition that creativity is a path with many curves and ups & downs along the way.
- Music: “Being Alive” (Stephen Sondheim) and “Rise” (Katy Perry)
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Matt Damon interview
- Headliner: Solomon Bassoff, Sculptor (https://www.faducci.com)
- Presenters: Matthew Kaiser – Singer/Songwriter/Musician, Letha Dawson – Playwright/Composer, Craig Dunlap – Singer/Songwriter/Musician, Funny Robert – Comedian, Matthew D. Heyer – Costume Design and audience members on the OPEN STAGE…
- Monthly Sponsor(s): Starbucks on Granite Drive in Rocklin
- June 25, 2023
- Theme: Blocked – We cannot create. The inner voice no longer speaks or guides our work.
- Music: “Solitude” from Sophisticated Ladies (Duke Ellington) and “Waiting for Life to Begin” from Once on this Island
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Eat. Pray. Love author Elizabeth Gilbert Talks “Big Magic” — Fear, Failure, & the Mystery of Creativity.
- Headliner: Luisa Piette, TV Show Host, communications executive, new President of Placer Community Theater
- Presenters: Richard Liu – singer/songwriter/guitarist, Allison Arredondo – writer, Craig Dunlap – Singer/Songwriter/Musician, Michael Selvester – writer, Funny Robert – Comedian, and audience members on the OPEN STAGE…
- Monthly Sponsor(s): Four Sisters Cafe, Primo
- July 23, 2023
- Theme: Eureka! – That exhilarating, white-knuckle moment when it all makes sense. The way forward is clear or a thorny artistic knot is unraveled at last.
- Music: “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha and “I am Changing” from Dreamgirls
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Dr. John Kounios – “Creativity, insight and eureka moments”
- Headliner: Susie Bauer, visual artist / commercial photography
- Presenters: Comedian Morty Stein, Comedian Funny Robert, Writer Michael Selvester, My Jekyll & Hyde production and audience members on the OPEN STAGE
- Monthly Sponsor(s): Dickey’s Barbecue on Pleasant Grove in Roseville, Four Sisters Cafe in Roseville, Black Bear Diner, Roseville
- August 27, 2023
- Theme: Percolating – Our creative ideas develop and speak to us. The process.
- Music: Stephen Sondheim “Finishing the Hat,” and Gene Wilder “Pure Imagination”
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Hadestown: The creative process of development
- Headliner: Comedian Daniel Carillo
- Presenters: Timothy Nutter, Connie McLellan (visual artist), Singer/Songwriter/Musicians Timothy Nutter, Craig Dunlap and playwright Scott Charles
- Monthly Sponsor(s): $50 Primo Gift Card, and $50 Cinemark + Dickey’s BBQ pkg = $100 in prizes
- September 24, 2023
- Theme: Fusion – The Creative Chaos becomes Synergy.
- Music: “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park with George and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked
- Aspirational/Inspirational: Stephen Sondheim interview
- Headliner: Jay Stargaard, Sculptor/Painter
- Presenters: Playwright Lew Osteen, Comedian Funny Robert, Painter/Illustrator Connie McLennan
- Monthly Sponsor(s):
- October 22, 2023 – Final LAB of 2023
- Theme: This is the End — Where do we go from here? What could the future hold for our art?
- FINAL SHOW, minimal discussion, maximum fun!
- Music: “And I am Telling You, I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls and “Seasons of Love” from Rent
- GUEST HOST: Comedian Funny Robert
- Headliner: TBA
- Presenters: Comedians, musicians and more
- Monthly Sponsor(s):
(See Prior Lab Themes for 2022 & 2021 summary of themes, headliners, etc.)
Cloud Adams at January 2023 LAB.
Headliner Ray Baldonade, CME/Music Therapy, January 2023
As of 2023, Collaboration LAB offers a post-event survey via Survey Monkey at specific intervals to ensure Collaboration LAB benefits from presenter and audience feedback toward Placer Rep’s ideal of “Never-ending improvement.” Link is emailed once per quarter to attendees. Each email address may only answer the survey once in 2023 to ensure no “ballot-box stuffing.”
PROCESS & POLICIES
Collaboration LAB is open and welcome to positive energy and creativity from all walks of humanity and all disciplines. We focus on equity and inclusion for all.
NATURE OF THE LAB
Collaboration LAB IS…
…AN OPEN STAGE FOR
- Visual artists (present your painting, costume design, video, latest work of fiber art…)
- Performing artists (actors, singers, musicians, composers, comedians, storytellers, dancers, acrobats, magicians, clowns, firebreathers…)
- Culture (writers of all genres, historical researchers, crafters & makers…)
- Humanities (history, sociology, psychology, anthropology…)
…YOUR STAGE FOR 5-10 MINUTES (present live, or share a digital recording)
- Share an idea or new research
- Try out new material
- Pitch a project for feedback or to find collaborators
- Practice and hone your craft for an audience
*Please select material appropriate for ages 16 and up.
…CREATIVE PARTICIPATION
Because you seek:
- to hone your skills
- to market yourself or your group
- feedback toward further development
- collaborators and networking
- to share your talent, knowledge or know-how
- FUN!
There are a limited number of presentation slots. Contact Placer Rep to RESERVE YOURS!
Audiences: Visit Eventbrite.com to reserve a seat or receive the Zoom link. (link for 2023 coming soon)
THE SIGN-UP PROCESS
Sign up for a presentation slot – we need:
- your name and title (how you wish to be introduced/perceived)
- what you plan to present and whether you need a 5-minute or a 10-minute slot, feedback included
- If you need more than 10 minutes, we can discuss/design a custom slot-size
- are you presenting via Zoom or in person?
According to Placer County Health Department and the State of California, masks are no longer required, but a COVID station with masks, wipes, sanitizer, etc., is provided for your convenience.
NOTE: Yes, you may present photos or a video that features your work or group, instead of performing live or on Zoom.
Policies:
- Sign up in advance to assure you receive a performance slot. Please arrive in-person (or be connected to the event/in the zoom waiting room) 15 minutes before your slot.
- Event participants without slots are “audience members.” Once the event begins, if any open slots remain or slots become open, they may be filled by audience members if the host invites the audience to present/perform.
- During presentations, for zoom participants: all videos should be off and mics muted, except for the current performer, unless unmuted by the host to allow feedback.
- Host/moderator has the authority to mute mics and hide video of participants, and to remove participants for cause.
- When participating via Zoom, you may provide feedback via chat or unmute your mic and enable your video to interact.
- The goal of Collaboration LAB is to INCUBATE & NETWORK! To develop talent, relationships and new works. This may only happen in a safe space to explore. Please provide constructive, supportive feedback, when feedback is requested. Mutual respect is required.
*We follow venue, city, county & state COVID guidelines.
We look to patrons, partners, sponsors, venues, institutions, city, county and state governmental entities for guidance on our health policies.
ColLABoration 2022 Themes
THEMES:
For 2022, the company theme was “The Other,” about perspective taking. For the Collaboration Lab, we translated the companywide theme to a LAB theme of “Windows to the World,” and were actively exploring perspective. How does perspective start, what is the biology and psychology behind perspectives? How do perspectives evolve? Etc.
2022 LAB Themes by Month:
- January – Looking Within
- February – Gazing Out
- March – Perspective Anima
- April – Evolving Perspectives
- May – Re-perception
- June – Prismatic Views: Examining Facets
- July – New Vistas
- August – Enriching your vision
- September – Through a new lens
- October – Looking for the Light
Due to the November and December holiday season, the 2022 LAB did not host episodes in November and December.
But there was the Placer Rep Annual Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 14 – which was a party plus contests, games, a network/meet & greet, and an open stage like the LAB.