Trequon Tate

Photos: THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR World Premiere at Black Ensemble Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 27, 2025

Black Ensemble Theater is presenting That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti, a musical celebration of sisterhood, soul, and legendary voices written and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. See photos here!

Black Ensemble To Present THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR: GLADYS, DIONNE AND PATTI
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2025

Black Ensemble Theater's Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor has announced That's What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti, a musical celebration of sisterhood, soul, and legendary voices written and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. 

Photos & Video: ELVIS WAS A BLACK MAN NAMED JOE at Black Ensemble Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2025

Black Ensemble Theater is presenting the World Premiere of Elvis Was a Black Man Named Joe written and directed by Jackie Taylor. See photos and video here!

ELVIS PRESLEY WAS A BLACK MAN NAMED JOE Comes to Black Ensemble Theater
by Stephi Wild - Feb 5, 2025

Black Ensemble Theater has announced Elvis Presley was a Black Man Named Joe, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater’s Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. 

HITT RECORDS World Premiere to be Presented at Black Ensemble Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 11, 2024

Black Ensemble Theater will present the world premiere musical revue as part of the 2024 Season of Affirmation: Protection – Hitt Records, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater’s Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. Learn more!

Black Ensemble Theater to Present Special Performances of LIVING IN THE LIGHT & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 4, 2024

Black Ensemble Theater will present special performances of Living in the Light, starring Bernard Lilly Jr., and an extension of the hit musical revue Blue Eyed Soul Sung By Brown Eyed People. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago Reveals Winners of the 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards
by Stephi Wild - Nov 8, 2023

The nonprofit Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago has announced the winners of its 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards, honored Monday night in a festive celebration at Black Ensemble Theater. Learn more about the winners here!

Black Ensemble Extends A TASTE OF SOUL Through October 29
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2023

Black Ensemble Theater extends the hit musical revue 'A Taste of Soul' written and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. Experience the evolution of Soul music from its Gospel roots to today's pop culture sensation. Now playing through October 29, 2023.

Broadway's Deidre Goodwin Directs DREAMGIRLS, Now Playing at The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jul 18, 2022

Dreamgirls, the smash-hit musical that collected six Tony Awards and two Oscars takes the stage at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, July 14-24.

Photo Flash: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE MUSICAL Opens at TATC
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 20, 2018

Director Linda Fortunato has cast Neil Friedman as Kris Kringle, Stella Rose Hoyt as Susan, Courtney Jones as Doris and Christopher Kale Jones as Fred for Theatre at the Center's Miracle On 34th Street: The Musical. Previews began November 15 with Opening Night on November 18 and a continued run through December 23. This production is sponsored in part by American Community Bank.

Photo Flash: Black Ensemble Theater Presents A NEW ATTITUDE: IN TRIBUTE TO PATTI LABELLE
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2018

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 5 - June 17, 2018.

Black Ensemble Theater to Perform A Tribute Patti LaBelle
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 17, 2018

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, May 5 - June 17, 2018. The press opening is Sunday, May 13 at 3:00pm.

Photo Flash: First Look at Black Ensemble's HAIL, HAIL, CHUCK: A Tribute to Chuck Berry
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2018

Black Ensemble Theater opens its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry, written by L. Maceo Ferris a senior member of the Black Ensemble Theater's BPI (Black Playwrights Initiative) and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 17 - April 1, 2018. The press opening is scheduled for Sunday, February 25 at 3 p.m.

Black Ensemble Theatre presents HAIL, HAIL CHUCK: A Tribute to Chuck Berry
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 30, 2018

Black Ensemble Theater opens its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry, written by L. Maceo Ferris a senior member of the Black Ensemble Theater's BPI (Black Playwrights Initiative) and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 17 - April 1, 2018. The press opening is scheduled for Sunday, February 25 at 3 p.m.

Black Ensemble Theater Announces Casting for HAIL, HAIL CHUCK: A TRIBUTE TO CHUCK BERRY
by Julie Musbach - Jan 25, 2018

Black Ensemble Theater opens its 2018 Season (Movers and Shakers) with Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry, written by L. Maceo Ferris a senior member of the Black Ensemble Theater's BPI (Black Playwrights Initiative) and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks. Hail, Hail Chuck: A Tribute to Chuck Berry will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, February 17 April 1, 2018. The press opening is scheduled for Sunday, February 25 at 3 p.m.

Black Ensemble Theater Presents THE STORY OF SAMMY DAVIS, JR.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2017

Black Ensemble Theater concludes the 2017 Season (The Dance Theater Season) with Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr., written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Associate Director Daryl D. Brooks, with choreography by Rueben D. Echoles. Sammy: The Story of Sammy Davis Jr. will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, December 9, 2017 January 21, 2018.

Photo Flash: Black Ensemble's LAST DANCER STANDING Opens Sunday
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 29, 2017

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.  

BWW Review: SCOTTSBORO BOYS Sings Truth To Power ~ Director Jeff Whiting And Cast Deliver A Tour De Force
by Herbert Paine - Apr 11, 2017

Phoenix Theatre's production of Kander & Ebb's SCOTTSBORO BOYS, directed by Jeff Whiting, is a tour de force, featuring performances that leave you unsettled, breathless, and inspired.

Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre's Opening Night of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 9, 2017

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, February 3 - March 12, featuring music and lyrics by John Kanderand Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, direction by Samuel G. Roberson, Jr, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Florence Walker-Harris with Breon Arzellas associate choreographer, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.

Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre Presents THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 7, 2017

Porchlight Music Theatre announces the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, February 3 - March 12, featuring music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, direction by Samuel G. Roberson, Jr, music direction by Doug Peck and choreography by Florence Walker-Harris with Breon Arzell as associate choreographer, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee performance Thursday, March 2 at 1:30 p.m. NOTE: *There are no Thursday 7:30 p.m. performances February 9 and March 2. Tickets for previews are $38 and for the regular run $45 - $51. Single tickets may be purchased at 773.327.5252 or at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.