Jackie Taylor News

Child's Play Touring Theatre is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a benefit hosted by Second City E.T.C. tonight, June 18 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical The Story of The Marvelettes directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. The Story of The Marvelettes will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 18-September 7, 2014. The press opening is Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 3:00pm.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. One Hit Wonders will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 17-June 29, 2014. Check out highlights of the show below!

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. One Hit Wonders will be presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago through June 29, 2014. In anticipation of opening night tonight, May 21, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below! production opens tonight, and

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the remainder of Black Ensemble's 2014 lineup, including One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles in collaboration with Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks; The Story of the Marvelettes by Reginald Williams, directed by Rueben D. Echoles and At Last: A Tribute to Etta James, written and directed by Jackie Taylor. Black Ensemble is offering a free ticket to its music-filled, not-to-be-missed annual New Year's Eve celebration with the purchase of tickets to the remaining three shows of 2014. For tickets or more information, visit www.blackensemble.org or call (773) 769-4451.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles and Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. One Hit Wonders will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, today, May 9-June 29, 2014. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3:00PM.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces a special benefit event to include a one night-only performance of The Soul of a Powerful Woman, written and directed by Jackie Taylor. This special performance is a part of Black Ensemble Theater's Powerful Woman Campaign and features some of Chicago's most outstanding powerful women. The evening will begin with a pre-show reception at 7:00pm followed by the 8:00pm performance at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

Child's Play Touring Theatre is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a benefit hosted by Second City E.T.C. on Wednesday, June 18 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the company's mission of bringing arts education to schools with professional actors performing skits using the writings of children. This year's theme, Be a Peace of the Puzzle, promotes anti-violence in schools. Sponsorships, which provide funding for schools that can't afford to bring a Child's Play troupe to the school, will help fund select underserved schools. The benefit will feature a competition among five improv comedy groups using children's writings drawn from a hat on stage with celebrity judges. Other activities include the annual Victor Award, this year awarded to screenwriter/director, Adam McKay and Black Ensemble Theater founder/executive director, Jackie Taylor; a silent auction; hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. Tickets are $150 VIP which includes a complimentary drink and reserved seating, $50 general, and $20 student. All ticket levels include hors d'oeuvres, entertainment and silent auction. For more information visit the website at www.cptt.org or call 773-235-8911.

Black Ensemble Theater (BE) announces its 9th annual Black Playwright's Festival, today, April 8-13, 2014, as part of the company's Black Playwright's Initiative (BPI). The Festival will take place at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street. This fun and daring Black Playwrights Festival brings new scripts to the BE stage for innovative and engaging readings. These scripts have all been developed by BPI members through the BPI process.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces a special benefit event to include a one night-only performance of The Soul of a Powerful Woman, written and directed by Jackie Taylor. This special performance is a part of Black Ensemble Theater's Powerful Woman Campaign and features some of Chicago's most outstanding powerful women. The evening will begin with a pre-show reception at 7:00pm followed by the 8:00pm performance at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Passion,' 'Road Show' and 'Into The Woods' celebrate Sondheim's birthday, 'Dessa Rose' and 'Rent' rake in the reviews, Black Ensemble and Bailiwick announce spring shows, new musicals from Writers Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare, plus Ravinia and Court plan summers 2014 and 2015 and more....

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical One Hit Wonders by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles and Dawn Bless, directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. One Hit Wonders will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 9-June 29, 2014. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3:00PM.

Black Ensemble Theater (BE) announces its 9th annual Black Playwright's Festival, April 8-13, 2014, as part of the company's Black Playwright's Initiative (BPI). The Festival will take place at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street. This fun and daring Black Playwrights Festival brings new scripts to the BE stage for innovative and engaging readings. These scripts have all been developed by BPI members through the BPI process.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Last Ship' sails, 'Chicago' and 'The Heartbeat Of Home' stop by, 'Chicago's Golden Soul,' and 'Ain't Misbehavin' pack 'em in, catch 'Dessa Rose,' 'Love Story' and 'A New Brain,' and the Waa-Mu Show announces 2014, plus more!

In honor of Black History Month, Garrett Popcorn Shops will donate 10% of all in-shop and online gourmet Popcorn Tin sales, up to $25,000, from February 15 -February 28, 2014 to Black Ensemble Theater. The promotional partnership will also include the no-purchase-necessary 'Stop. Pop. And Win!' ticket giveaway, wherein visitors to the Garrett Popcorn Shops or Black Ensemble Theater websites, or any domestic Garrett Popcorn Shop, can enter to win 2 free tickets to It's Alright To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield,' written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor and co-directed by Jackie Taylor and Daryl D. Brooks.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces Chicago's Golden Soul, running in rep with the hit production It's All-Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield. Both productions are produced and written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor. Check out a first look below!

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces Chicago's Golden Soul, running in rep with the hit production It's All-Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield. Both productions are produced and written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor. Check out highlights of the show below!

Diane Latiker, a mother of eight and grandmother to 13, began her outreach by opening her home as a safe haven to kids on the block. Her compassion to help a few has created an award-winning non-profit organization, 'Kids off the Block,' dedicated to providing more than 1,500 young people positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, truancy, violence, and the juvenile justice system. Today she has a center that services nearly 50 young people each day for tutoring, counseling or activities such as sports, drama, dance and music.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Davenport's serves up the holidays, Theo Ubique's January Cabaret Series, Kevin Cole on the Marvin Hamlisch PBS special, the Muellers make the 'Post,' BET announced rep, and a listing of Chicago shows to catch this week, plus the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards and more!

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces Chicago's Golden Soul, running in rep with the hit production It's All-Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield. Both productions are produced and written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor. The official press opening of Chicago's Golden Soul is scheduled for Sunday, February 2, 2013 at 7:30pm.