Our Mission

Our Mission Congo Square Theatre Company is a Chicago based ensemble dedicated to producing transformative work rooted in the Black Diaspora. We are a haven for artists of color seeking to challenge and redefine the theatrical canon by creating stories that reflect the complexities of Black culture. Congo Square is one of Chicago’s leading African American theatre companies and one of Chicago’s two Equity theatres dedicated to Black work. Within Chicago’s theatre industry, we are set apart by the audiences we represent and serve; our work provides a distinct perspective of the African American experience.

Congo Square is committed to the development and support of artists of color, which is reflected in our selected works, our production teams, our organizational leadership, and our Board of Directors. With a predominately Black staff and ensemble, our company and our work authentically reflects the communities in the stories we tell. Congo Square is a home for African American artists to grow their career, perform, direct, design, and create.

EVENT SCHEDULE

6PM | COCKTAIL HOUR, MINGLING + CHECK-IN, RAFFLE WALK

7PM | BENEFIT PROGRAM 

8PM | CONCERT (YAW AGYEMAN)

8:30-10PM | AFTER PARTY -  LIVE DJ DANCE PARTY (DJ RAE CHARDONNAY

HOMECOMING BENEFIT PROGRAM | 7-8PM


WELCOME
ANGEL IDOWU, HOST

CONGO’S HISTORY, CELEBRATION
DAWN REESE, BOARD CHAIR + AL GOLDFARB, BOARD VICE-CHAIR

CONGO IMPACT
TRACEY BONNER, ON BEHALF OF THE CST ENSEMBLE

CONGO IN THE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION

AWARD PRESENTATION

  • EMERGING ARTIST AWARD: TOSIN MORINFULO
    PRESENTED BY E. FAYE BUTLER

  • ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE: MOROCCO OMARI
    PRESENTED BY LUTHER GOINS

  • LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: PEMON RAMI
    PRESENTED BY CHUCK SMITH

CLOSING REMARKS
ERICKA RATCLIFF, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CHARLIQUE C. ROLLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2023-2024 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT PRESENTATION

2023 HONOREES

(Click Images for Bios)

 
 

2023 AUCTION - BiD or DONATE NOW!

 
 
 

THANK YOU TO OUR Sponsors

EVENT CHAIR
DAWN FRANCES REESE

HOST COMMITEE
JACKI DAVIDOFF
MONIFA DAYS

RADICAL EXPANSION PREMIER SPONSOR ($15,000+)

IN THE WORKS FUND

RADICAL GENEROSITY SPONSOR ($5,000+)

CARLTON GUTHRIE

THE LILY’S

RADICAL PARTNER ($1,000+)

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR HEALTH OUTCOMES AND INFORMATICS RESEARCH

DAVIDOFF STRATEGY

THE JOYCE FOUNDATION

MCMULLEN & KIME CHARITABLE TRUST

NANCY AND MICHAEL TIMMERS

WOMEN UNITE!

CONSTANCE JONES

CHERYL LYNN BRUCE

SIDESHOW THEATRE

GALERA FRESH

UL SOLUTIONS

STEVE THOMAS

COREY BRADFORD

 

TEAM CONGO SQUARE

  • Tracey N. Bonner

    Aimee K. Bryant

    Daniel Bryant

    Ronald L. Conner

    Monifa Days

    Aaron Todd Douglas

    Ann Joseph Douglas

    Allen Gilmore

    Anthony Irons

    Javon Johnson

    Bakesta King

    Ericka Ratcliff

    TaRon Patton

    Alexis J. Roston

    Kelvin Roston Jr.

    Will Sims II

    Derrick Sanders (CO-FOUNDER, EMERITUS)

  • Dawn Frances Reese, Chair

    Dr. Alvin Goldfarb, Vice-Chair

    Dorsey Norman III, Treasurer

    Gertrude Wooten, Secretary

    Kristopher Anderson

    Kristen Evans

    Harry Lennix

    Dr. Heath Morgan

    Naja Morris

    Dacia Vora

    Hugh Williams

    tanessa lee (incoming)

    tuesday smith (incoming)

    Ericka Ratcliff (ex officio)

    Charlique C. Rolle (ex officio)

  • Ericka Ratcliff - Artistic Director

    Charlique C. Rolle - Executive Director

    Ken-Matt Martin - Business Manager

    Ronald L. Conner - Program Director

    Sarah Grace Goldman - Casting + Literary Associate

    Bair Warburton-Brown - Community Engagement + Education Director and Programs Associate

    Víctor Hugo Jaimes - Production Manager

    Lydia Moss - Special Events Associate

    Erica Bell - Executive Administrator

  • LM STUDIO

    THE SILVERMAN GROUP

    WOMENT UNITE!

    XUYEN GARCIA DEMI SMITH

    OONAGH KELLY

    PILOT PROJECT

    KORVAL

UP NEXT: festival on the square

Congo Square Theatre has been a refuge for Black artists and creative visionaries –and our legacy continues as we move into our 25th anniversary year! This year, we are showcasing three Festival on the Square events that pay homage to Congo Square in a celebration of arts, healing, and Black joy.

We’re talking food, drinks, theatrical readings —including from our Samuel G. Roberson Next Up Fellowship winners— and much more.

Join us at one of these FREE upcoming events.