Court Theatre Launches Spotlight Reading Series for Underserved Neighborhoods

Court Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, announces the Spotlight Reading Series, a multi-year community outreach initiative that aims to expose communities beyond Hyde Park to theatre arts, focusing specifically on works from outside of the traditional theatrical canon.

Over the course of three years, award-winning director and Court Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson will host five readings per year throughout the city. Readings will feature Chicago leading artists and will highlight the works of playwrights of color.

"It is, and has always been, important to me during my years at Court Theatre to reach out to the surrounding communities and expand the envelope of 'classic' theatre," said Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. "People will get to explore theatre from a diverse lens, learning the rich history of theatre from the African diaspora. I'm excited to finally see it come to fruition."

To actively engage with communities, the 2016 Spotlight Reading Series will host performances at local venues, partnering with various arts organizations which cover the Bronzeville, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Humboldt Park, Jackson Park, South Shore, Washington Park and Woodlawn neighborhoods. All performances are free and open to the public.

The 2016 schedule includes five rarely produced plays:

February 22: Aaron Todd Douglas directs Blues for Mister Charlie by James Baldwin at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St. 6:30 p.m.

April 4: Edward Torres directs The Oxcart (or La Carreta) by René Marqués at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W Division St. 6:30 p.m.

June 6: Tyla Abercrumbie directs The River Niger by Joseph A. Walker at the Chicago Park District's Hamilton Park Cultural Center, 513 W 72nd St. 6:30 p.m.

August 1: Cheryl Lynn Bruce directs Black Cycle by Martie Charles at the South Side Community Arts Center, 3831 S Michigan Ave. 6:30 p.m.

November 19: Ron OJ Parson directs Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward at the Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S Stony Island Ave. 3 p.m.

The Spotlight Reading Series is made possible with support from the Joyce Foundation. The "Spotlight Grant" is designed to help arts and cultural organizations achieve greater racial equity and long-term operating success. Court Theatre was one of ten institutions who received the three-year grant.

For more information on the Spotlight Reading Series or to obtain tickets, visit www.courttheatre.org.