Black Ensemble Theater

Founded in 1976, the mission of the Black Ensemble Theater is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects on society through the theater arts. The Theater stages four original productions each year that document, preserve, and highlight the achievements of African Americans. This professional development grant supports staff attendance at the Grant Professionals Association annual conference in Louisville, KY.

Founded in 1976, the mission of the Black Ensemble Theater is to eradicate racism and its devastating effects on society through the theater arts. Based in Chicago, the Theater stages four original theater productions each year that document, preserve, and highlight the achievements of African Americans, while emphasizing a shared humanity. The Theater commissions its work from artists in its Black Playwrights Initiative, increasing the canon of African American theater work by and about African Americans. This award provides general operating support to the Black Ensemble Theater as part of the Foundation’s Culture, Equity, and the Arts program.

The Black Ensemble Theater (BET) commissions and stages original musical theater productions each year that document, preserve, and highlight the achievements of African Americans, while pursuing its mission to eradicate racism and its damaging effects upon society. BET moved in 2011 to a new theater designed to serve the community in a struggling part of the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago. For the next phase of growth, it purchased land around its facility, which is being developed to create sustainable revenue streams for BET and complement its ongoing programmatic work. This award provides increased staff and technology support as BET builds its cultural campus.

The Black Ensemble Theater stages five original musical theater productions each year that document, preserve, and highlight the achievements of African Americans while emphasizing a shared humanity. The Theater commissions its work from artists in its Black Playwrights Initiative, increasing the canon of African American theater work by and for African Americans. Over the award period, it is deepening its investment in its black playwrights program; expanding its youth and outreach programs; and completing a neighborhood revitalization plan. This award recommends five years of renewed general operating support to Black Ensemble Theater.

The Black Ensemble Theater is a Chicago theater established in 1976 with a mission of using theater to increase communication, interaction, and understanding among groups in order to reduce racism. It attracts a diverse audience by presenting performances that appeal to people of all backgrounds. The Black Ensemble Theater presents musicals that draw upon African American traditions, often exploring the lives of popular recording artists of the 20th Century. Through long-established educational and outreach programs, the Black Ensemble Theater also works in Chicago Public Schools and with underserved populations to teach theater skills that support the development of life skills.