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Chicago's acclaimed Black Ensemble Theater, led by Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor, will host Thirty-Five Fabulous Years - A Legendary Celebration, to honor the historical thirty-five year legacy of the theater and the upcoming Grand Opening of the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center. Like all Black Ensemble Theater Productions, the 35th Anniversary Celebration promises to be an evening filled with joy, exuberance and pure excitement! The business-attire event will take place at InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, 505 North Michigan Avenue, 7th Floor, on Friday, October 14 at 6 p.m.
Thirty-Five Fabulous Years - A Legendary Celebration will be a party that you don't want to miss. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails in the Empire Room, followed by an amazing dinner and performance in the Grand Ballroom. Guests will experience The Best of the Black Ensemble Theater, featuring selections from Black Ensemble Theater's recent shows including "All In Love Is Fair" and "Nothing But The Blues", with a few other surprises mixed in. Then the bidding begins as guests raise their paddles to bid on live auction items such as the coveted walk-on role in a Black Ensemble Theater production, a one-week retreat to a beautiful lake home overlooking the Smokey Mountains, an ultimate Chicago Cubs VIP Experience for four, and more! The festivities will continue with a dessert reception, and dancing with Jackie Taylor and the Black Ensemble cast. Michelle Relerford and Stefan Holt of NBC Chicago will serve as emcees for this very exciting evening.
The Honorary Host Committee for Black Ensemble Theater's 35th Anniversary Celebration and the Grand Opening of the New Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center includes Robin E. Beaman, Beaman Incorporated; Gwendolyn L. Butler, Capri Capital Partners; Lester N. Coney, Mesirow Financial; Woodie King, Jr., New Federal Theater; Michael Lufrano, Chicago Cubs; James D. Montgomery, James D. Montgomery & Associates; Judith C. Rice, BMO Harris Bank; Tyronne Stoudemire, AON Hewitt; Neal S. Zucker, Corporate Cleaning Services. They are joined by Honorary Co-Chairs Governor Pat Quinn and William Petersen.BMO Harris Bank is the proud Presenting Sponsor of the benefit. Other event sponsors include Platinum Sponsor Allstate Insurance Company; Silver Sponsors AON Hewitt, ComEd and JP Morgan Chase, and Bronze Sponsors Pepper Construction, SNR Denton US LLP and The Strive Group.Individual gala tickets are $200 and funds raised at the gala will support Black Ensemble Theater Productions and educational outreach programs. Private tables are also available.
The Black Ensemble Theater Company was founded in 1976 by Jackie Taylor, who has written and directed more than 100 productions for the company. In addition to its main stage productions, the Black Ensemble Theater Company produces ‘Plays with a Purpose,' a series of original youth-oriented musicals, designed to teach students positive life lessons and values, as well as several community-based programs that use theater arts to enhance and enrich the lives of countless youth, students and families. The Black Ensemble Theater Board Chairman is Gregory K. Morris, MD. The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater Company is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects upon society through the theater arts. For more information on the Black Ensemble Theater Company, please visit www.blackensembletheater.org or call 773-769-4451.
