ABOUT US
Josy Jones (right) directing “Cupid #5” an Anti-Valentine’s play written to take place in a bar for the Lost Keys Literary Festival. Actors Jordan Ealey (left) and Ricky Baldwin (center).
In 2015 in Macon, GA Josy Jones observed that there were numerous under-utilized structures and under-appreciated businesses. She also continued to meet talented creatives who were looking to grow their practices, but were having trouble convincing people to give them a space to learn and grow. After a conversation with the 567 Center for Renewal about activating their space for their First Friday event, the Chameleon Village was born. Since then, it has continued to be shaped and reshaped according to the artists interested in the work and the communities Josy serves. Currently located in Akron, OH, the work has evolved from an improv troupe to work in a tattoo parlor to playwriting courses for site-specific work and more!
CHAMELEON: A symbol representing our ability to adapt to our performance spaces and new artistic challenges
VILLAGE: One of our main goals as a theatre company is to build connections with artists, businesses, and working with (not for) the community.
MISSION
The Chameleon Village Theatre Collective creates new site-specific theatre to activate underutilized spaces and facilitate connection.
VISION
The Chameleon Village Collective believes that using our surroundings as our stage:
Provides community members with the chance to see new value and possibility in their environment,
Offers opportunities to artists to hone their talents,
Sparks economic development by connecting the arts, community, and business sectors,
Introduces vitality to otherwise sterile places, and
Makes theatre accessible by developing creative ways to reach new and diverse audiences.