THE SOUL OF A POWERFUL WOMAN to Play Benefit Show at Black Ensemble Theater

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 on May 22, 2016 at 5:30pm followed by the 6:30pm performance at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky will lead a dynamic cast featuring Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Andrea Zopp, Kim Foxx, Women's Business Development Center Founder Hedy Ratner, Senator Mattie Hunter, Dentons US Partner Natalie Spears, Midway Broadcasting Corporation Chairman Melody Spann-Cooper, Chicago Foundation for Women President K. Sujata and Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer. The performance will also feature some of Black Ensemble's regular company of phenomenal performers.

Donors who make a gift of $250 to the Powerful Woman campaign will receive a complimentary ticket to this exclusive event, which includes a pre-show reception with the cast of THE SOUL OF A POWERFUL WOMAN. Proceeds from the evening will help to support Black Ensemble Theater's mission through educational outreach programs, productions and much more. Contact Shaina Farwell, sfarwell@blackensemble.org, for more information and tickets.

The Host Committee Chair is Anita Ponder (Seyfarth Shaw LLP). Members of the Host Committee confirmed to date are: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsksy, Mary Mitchell (Chicago Sun-Times), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Hedy Ratner (Women's Business Development Center),Melody Spann-Cooper (Midway Broadcasting Corporation), Senator Mattie Hunter, Natalie Spears(Dentons US LLP), Chicago Foundation for Women President K. Sujata, Cook County CommissionerBridget Gainer, Andrea Zopp, Kate Bradley, Cindy Burrell (Diversity in Boardrooms), Catherine Quinn Denny, Kim Foxx, Sonya Malunda Lampley, Senator Bill Marovitz, Wendy Manning (The Boeing Company), Judy C. Mathews (Community Interface Inc.), Cecilia A. Mowatt (Strategies In Site, Inc.), Loretta Rosenmayer (INTREN, Inc.), Kimberly McCullough-Starks, and Patricia C. Bobb(Patricia C. Bobb and Associates).

Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater is the only African American theater located in the culturally, racially and ethnically diverse north side Uptown community. Through its Five Play Season of Excellence, The Black Ensemble Theater dazzles audiences locally, nationally and internationally with outstanding original musicals that are entertaining, educational and uplifting. The Black Ensemble Theater has produced more than 100 productions and employed over 5,000 artists.

On November 18, 2011, The Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center opened and is able to accommodate larger-scale productions, bigger audiences and a wider range of educational programming. The new facility includes amenities such as a 299-seat main stage theater (double the capacity of the original venue); 14 offices, classroom space, rehearsal hall, dance studio, scene shop, costume shop, and wardrobe rooms; seven dressing rooms; rehearsal room for musicians; front lobby space with concession areas; and an indoor parking garage. The completion of a 150-seat theater, which will serve as an experimental stage for the work of the Black Playwright Initiative (BPI), with construction by General Contractor Norcon Inc., is expected in 2016/17.

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, visit www.BlackEnsembleTheater.org or call 773-769-4451.