Congo Square Theatre Juneteenth Homecoming

In observance of over 20 years of transformative Black theatre, Congo Square Theatre presents a 2-part Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Zhou B Art Center, 1029 West 35th Street in Chicago.

Part 1

Festival on the Square is “a celebration of arts, healing, and Black joy, including live music, theatrical readings, and much more!” In addition to music and dance performances by special guests, there will be a variety of Black vendors to choose from, including some with health and wellness options. The event runs 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Part 2

The Vision Benefit begins at 6:00 p.m. To support Congo Square Theatre's ongoing mission to "be a haven for artists of color and to create transformative Black theatre," visit https://www.congosquaretheatre.org/visionbenefit.

​Black Theatre at Its Best

"Don't call it a stage play." What To Send Up When It Goes Down, which came to a close in May 2022, was the last Congo Square Theatre production I had a chance to see. It is difficult for me to find a simple phrase to categorize this great work. The company describes it as “a participatory, shapeshifting experience intent on creating space for collective catharsis and healing” through parody, song, movement, and facilitated dialogue. The audience became part of this powerful, heart-wrenching experience as we collectively relived the trauma of the loss of Black lives due to racialized violence without appropriate consequences.

Congo Square Theatre consistently produces quality, award-winning work rooted in the African Diaspora. To learn about upcoming shows and programming, go to https://www.congosquaretheatre.org.

Me with Jos N. Banks, cast member of "What To Send Up When It Goes Down"