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.

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Black Ensemble Theater

Black Ensemble Theater's headquarters in Chicago, IL, United States

Jackie Taylor

Blake Reasoner

Lillian E. Mitchum

William Rowland

Tony Duwon

Mark Moultrup

Junior White

Jil Ross

Herb Walker

Toi Overton

Black Ensemble Theater

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