Kylah Frye

Black Ensemble Theater's Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces its 44th Season: The 2020 Season of Change. The 2020 Season includes tributes to legendary heroes from throughout history, popular songs that were the B-sides of the record, the life and music of Chaka Khan, and one of the greatest bands of all time a?" Earth, Wind & Fire. All performances will be held at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago. 

Black Ensemble Theater is adding two additional weeks to the run of Rick Stone the Blues Man written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. Rick Stone the Blues Man will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, now through September 9, 2018.

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with Rick Stone the Blues Man written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. Rick Stone the Blues Man will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 14 - August 26, 2018. 

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with the world premiere musical Last Dancer Standing (More Than Hip Hop), written, directed, and choreographed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben Echoles. Last Dancer Standing (More than Hip Hop) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 22 - September 3, 2017.  

The cast of The Other Cinderella includes Mark J.P. Hood, best known as a finalist on The Voice Season 10, as the Prince, with Jessica Seals (Cinderella), Rhonda Preston (Stepmother), Melanie McCullough (Stepsister Geneva), Miciah Long (Stepsister Margarite), Kylah Frye (Fairygodmama), Dwight Neal (King), Shari Addison (Queen), Kyle Smith (Page), Brandon Lavell (Groundhog), Henri Slater (Peanut Butter),Trequon Tate (Attendant), and Paige Hauer (Dorothy).

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with the family-friendly, holiday favorite The Other Cinderella, written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Jackie Taylor and Rueben Echoles.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with the family-friendly, holiday favorite The Other Cinderella, written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Jackie Taylor and Rueben Echoles.

Teddy Pendergrass was considered to be soul music's number one sex symbol in the '70s with songs like "Turn Off The Lights," "If You Don't Know Me By Now," and "Wake Up Everybody." He was on top of the world and at the height of his career in 1982 when a devastating car accident left him a quadriplegic. Teddy Pendergrass passed away in 2010 having lived with his challenge for 28 years. His story demonstrates that the greatness of the human spirit will never be defeated, no matter the challenges that we face in life.

The Jackie Wilson Story returns to Chicago after an extremely successful opening in 2000 and remount in 2011, plus a national tour in 2002, which culminated at the famous Apollo Theater in New York City. This high-energy and touching story follows the career of one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with DON'T MAKE ME OVER (In Tribute to Dionne Warwick), written by Jackie Taylorand directed by Rueben Echoles. DON'T MAKE ME OVER (In Tribute to Dionne Warwick) runs at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, now through May 15, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with DON'T MAKE ME OVER (In Tribute to Dionne Warwick), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Rueben Echoles.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with DON'T MAKE ME OVER (In Tribute to Dionne Warwick), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Rueben Echoles.

Black Ensemble Theater's 40th anniversary season opens with audience-favorites Doo Wop Shoo Bop and Those Sensational Soulful '60s, running in repertory. Both shows opened today, February 21st. Scroll down to see photos of the productions!

What happens when you put Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson and Gladys Knight together in the same room for a day? Well you certainly get some great nostalgic music that's for sure. Originally presented in 2001, Dynamite Divas will also feature Divas from the past such as Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Nina Simone, December 12, 2015 - January 24, 2016.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical The Marvelous Marvelettes directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. The Marvelous Marvelettes will be presented at the BlackEnsemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 18-September 7, 2014.