Black Ensemble Theater
Lillian E. Mitchum has extensive experience in education, program direction, and clerical support. Currently serving as a playwright for the Black Playwrights Initiative at Black Ensemble Theater since August 2011, Lillian also holds the position of Program Director for the Youth Drama On Wheels Ministry at Second Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church since June 2009. Previous experience includes working as a Substitute Teacher for the Chicago Board of Education from June 2003 to December 2011, where responsibilities involved adhering to lesson plans and managing classroom behavior. Lillian's career began with over 30 years of clerical support at Cook County Hospital, where a range of administrative duties were performed, including report generation and employee supervision. Educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from National Louis University and additional studies at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College.
Black Ensemble Theater
A local treasure, a national wonder and an international success best describe the dynamic organization that is the Black Ensemble Theater. Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater has grown from a small community arts organization to a nationally and internationally renowned strong arts institution. The mission of the Black Ensemble Theater is to eradicate racism and its damaging effects upon our society through the utilization of theater arts. BE achieves its mission through productions and programs that perpetuate the history of the African American people, while reaching out to a cross-cultural audience and serving disenfranchised communities. The Black Ensemble Theater’s theatrical productions and educational outreach programs have been featured in the New York Times, The New York Post, Crain’s Chicago Business, Jet and Ebony, just to name a few. Some of our most popular productions include “The Jackie Wilson Story”, “The Other Cinderella” and “Don’t Make Me Over: In Tribute to Dionne Warwick”. Realizing that the theater is a cultural treasure, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois promote the work of the Black Ensemble Theater.