Congo Square Theatre Presents Three-Day Festival On The Square

Congo Square Theatre Company (Congo Square), one of the nation's premier African American theatres, announces its Festival on the Square, a three-day virtual festival celebrating the arts, February 4-6, 2021. Inspired by the original Congo Square marketplace in New Orleans-where people of color communed through music and dance and celebrated the cultures of their homelands-Festival on the Square culminates in the 2021 Vision Benefit honoring acclaimed director Ron OJ Parson and Les Coney, the company's first board chairman. Parson directed Congo Square's first production, August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, in 2000.

Festival on the Square programming is free to the public and includes a 10-minute play festival and "Conversations at the Square" with industry professionals, including actor Morocco Omari (Empire, 21 Bridges, Homeland) and Dionna Griffin-Irons, director of diversity talent inclusion for The Second City. Registration is required to attend one or all three days of the festival, with optional donations accepted to support Congo Square's fundraising efforts, including sponsorships for the Vision Benefit.

Festival on the Square events will be presented virtually from 7-9 p.m. CST each day of the festival, Feb. 4-6, 2021. For more information on the festival and 2021 Vision Benefit, visit www.congosquaretheatre.org/fos.

"We are thrilled about our upcoming Festival on the Square celebrating Black art and Black voices," says Executive Director Charlique C. Rolle. "Congo Square has always been committed to the elevation of Black artists, and we've continued to build this platform by creating work in the digital realm this season. We are also very excited for our Vision Benefit celebrating 20 years of transformative Black theatre and honoring our very first director, Ron OJ Parson, and our first board chairman, Les Coney."

Festival on the Square schedule:

Day 1: Thursday, February 4 from 7-9 p.m. CST

Hosted by Congo Square Ensemble Member Ann Joseph Douglas

· Performance of Black People Laughing at Everything in Particular by Sarah Grace Goldman, 10-Minute Play Festival Young Playwright Winner

· Conversation at the Square with actor Morocco Omari (Empire, 21 Bridges, Homeland)

Day 2: Friday, February 5 from 7-9 p.m. CST

Hosted by Congo Square Ensemble Member Javon Johnson

· Performance of Deja Vu by Genevieve Jessee, 10-Minute Play Festival Emerging & Professional Playwright Winner

· Conversation at the Square with Dionna Griffin-Irons, Director of Diversity Talent Inclusion for The Second City

Day 3: Saturday, February 6 from 7-9 p.m. CST

2021 Vision Benefit honoring Ron OJ Parson and Les Coney

· Performances by Congo Square Ensemble Member Kelvin Roston, Jr. and Red Clay Dance Company

· Raffle of original artwork created by Jeffrey Beckham, Jr. (Donations of $250 or more qualify for raffle entry)