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ENTERTAIN

2025 SEASON
MAIN STAGE SHOWS

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Written & Directed by Daryl D. Brooks

THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR: GLADYS, DIONNE, AND PATTI

Three legendary music icons—Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight—come together in Las Vegas to kick off their highly anticipated residency. As they gather backstage in the green room, memories begin to flow, leading them to reminisce about their deep bond, personal journeys, and the relationships that have shaped them over the decades. Featuring timeless hits like "Midnight Train to Georgia," "You Are My Friend," "Walk on By," and of course, "That's What Friends Are For," this uplifting musical celebration of friendship and music will have you on your feet singing along and reliving the magic of these extraordinary voices.

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Written & Directed by Daryl D. Brooks

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

Get ready to deck the halls and lift your spirits with Black Ensemble’s Holiday Extravaganza—a heartwarming, high-energy musical celebration perfect for the whole family! Featuring your favorite Black Ensemble performers, this dazzling show is packed with classic and contemporary holiday hits that will have you singing along, dancing in your seat, and feeling the joy of the season. From soulful renditions of beloved carols to powerful gospel numbers and festive favorites, this musical revue is a spirited tribute to the magic, love, and togetherness that make the holidays special. Whether you’re continuing a beloved tradition or discovering something new, Holiday Extravaganza is the perfect way to celebrate the season—BE style!

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Written & Directed by Daryl D. Brooks

BLUE HEAVEN

A Soulful Journey of Redemption, Reflection, and the Power of the Blues Told through electrifying performances and soul-stirring blues, Blue Heaven shines a light on our shared humanity, reminding us that shame, regret, and pain can be steppingstones to something far greater—grace. This powerhouse production features the unforgettable music of B.B. King, Big Mama Thornton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, and Howlin’ Wolf—legends whose sounds defined generations and whose stories echo our own. Come experience the healing power of the blues. Come find your Blue Heaven.

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PROGRAMS &

INITIATIVES

STRENGTHENING THE SCHOOL THROUGH THEATER ARTS

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BLACK PLAYWRIGHTS INITIATIVE (BPI)

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NEW DIRECTIONS

 

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SUMMER JOB TRAINING FOR YOUTH
 

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PLAYS WITH A PURPOSE (PWAP)
 

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SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS

 

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FEATURED

EVENTS

JACKIE TAYLOR'S

SOUL OF

A POWERFUL WOMAN

JUNE 8, 2025
BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER
4450 N CLARK ST CHICAGO, IL


 

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BET is proud to present SOUL OF a powerful woman, a groundbreaking theatrical production that highlights the strength and resilience of women. Featuring stories about women from all walks of life who have made a significant impact on society, this performance is a tribute to their legacies. Join us for a night of inspiration and empowerment as we celebrate the strength of women.

BLACK PLAYWRIGHTS INITIATIVE (BPI)

BLACK PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

AUGUST 5 - 10, 2024 
BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER

4450 N CLARK ST CHICAGO, IL

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Chicago has a rich and fertile community of African American Playwrights. There was a need for an organization that focused specifically on these artists as it related to their unique cultural heritage. The BPI is a vehicle that brings us together as a community to share resources and nourish our skills. It is the purpose of the BPI to develop scripts for the Black Ensemble Theater. It is also the purpose of BPI to increase local and national exposure for our membership.

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER'S

FRIDAYS ON THE GREEN

6:30 PM
FRIDAYS: JULY 5, 12, 19 & 26 2024

4450 N CLARK ST | CHICAGO, IL
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

 

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Experience the beauty of music and culture at the Black Ensemble Theater's Intercultural Music Festival. This weekly event takes place every Friday and features amazing performances from talented musicians. Best of all, it's free and open to the public. Join us and be immersed in a celebration of diversity, community, and music.

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER'S

26TH ANNUAL LEGACY GALA

OCTOBER 16, 2025
BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER
4450 N CLARK ST CHICAGO, IL

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We all have greatness that lives within us. Our Legacy Gala honors and recognizes that greatness. We hope you will come and celebrate as we recognize the greatness achieved by the Black EnsembleTheater while reflecting and honoring the greatness that lives inside of you! Come on – let’s celebrate us together at the fundraising party of the year – where we all are the honorees!

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FREE TO
BE

The proposed Free to BE Village includes new construction of an artfully-designed three-story Media and Technology Center (MTC), four-story Performing Arts Education Center (PAEC), and a five-story Affordable Artists’ Apartments (AAA) with a single-story retail podium structure uniting the three buildings at the ground level and extending to the south end of the site. The podium structure includes 14,000 square feet of street-level retail/restaurant space featuring, among other retail uses, a 3,700-square-foot restaurant and a literary café with open-air covered seating at the southeast corner of Clark and Sunnyside. The podium roof will create a terrace at the second level providing outdoor green space for resident artists, MTC & PAEC users, and the local community.

Free to BE will break ground in 2026!

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