Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Congo Square Theatre Company, Performance Art Theatre, 1016 N Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL.
For over 20 years, Congo Square Theatre Company has provided a platform for black artists to present classic and new work that exemplifies the majesty, diversity and intersectionality of stories from the African Diaspora.
03/21/2026
Congo Square Theatre DISSOLVED! And THE BOARD gave $240,000 to VICTORY GARDENS THEATRE!
In July of 2025, during litigation with the Ensemble,the Congo Square Board of directors decided to quietly dissolve the company with approximately 800K in the bank.
Most of the 800K was returned to funders. But for some reason they gave $240,000 to Victory Gardens Theater
The Ensemble has incorporated as a new Not-for-profit corporation under the name Congo Square Ensemble Theatre. We are currently suing for damages with hopes to restore our legacy and continue to produce stories that explore the reach and complexities of Black Culture.
Full article below
12/06/2024
Our new podcast is dedicated to Black Couples discussing how they sustain their relationships while navigating the demands of the Theatre industry. It's some real gems being dropped on this series. CLICK THE LINK. Like, Subscribe and drop a comment on our YouTube Channel.
Congo Square Ensemble Member Tracey Bonner gets into the mind of nine couples in the arts and learn what makes them want to sustain there relationships in a ...
12/04/2024
" are not limited to love." - Pemon Rami Chicago Theatre Royalty, Pemon Rami and Masequa Myers discuss the importance of communication in relationships. "You have to hear what they think to understand it clearly." -Masequa Myers
Chicago Theatre Royalty, Pemon Rami and Masequa Myers discuss the importance of communication in relationships. LOVE NOIR is a Relationship Podcast that exp...
11/27/2024
NEW SERIES ALERT: Ensemble Member/Showrunner created our new podcast series, LOVE NOIR! Hosted by the amazing , hear how established Black artists navigate love and the industry. Our first episode is streaming NOW on our YouTube Channel LINK IN BIO ❤️
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11/22/2024
You heard it here first!! 🗣️🎙️ Our CITI classes are making it easy and fun for you to re-ignite your artistry! No matter your calling, we got you! Stay tuned to see what classes we’re rolling out in 2025!
11/16/2024
Our has come down to the final two. It's Mama vs. The Mime. Find out who wins.
In Association with Birchman Productions
Our reality show competition is down to it's final two candidates. Find out who wins as Jade Black keeps you up to date on whose in the lead and any hot te...
11/01/2024
When your Ex-Wife Interrupts your run for . Our Townhall Debate turned into an all out argument between old lovers. Click the link, like the video, share and comment.
In Association with Birchman Productions
When your Ex-Wife interrupts your run for president. Our Townhall debate turned into an old argument between lovers. Written and Directed byRonald L. Conner...
10/26/2024
With 10 days until we held our own debate😂😂😂. Watch the first ever "Real Folx Presidential Debate. Let us know who you're voting for in the YouTube comments.
In association with Birchman Productions
The final four candidates square off in the first ever Real Folx Party Presidential Debate. Written by Ronald L. ConnerDirected by Bair BrownTHE BLACKSiDE C...
10/18/2024
If they say "Until you do right by me" this reality show has taken a turn. EPISODE 4 OUT NOW.
During the taping of this week's episode three candidates fell deathly ill. I mean deathly ill. "I think my bu****le fell in the toilet." - Derrick MaysWrit...
10/12/2024
😂😂😂Where is Usher? EPISODE 3 OUT NOW! Click the link. Let me know if you agree with who was eliminated.
starring Alexis J Roston Kelvin Roston Jr Anthony Irons Alex Moorman Victor Musoni Rita Wicks and Joslyn Jones .
Our Presidential Candidates invite guests to a Lunch and Learn and a Festival of Meditation. The guest will get to know the candidates views and plans for w...
10/04/2024
Episode 2 OUT NOW on YouTube! Click the link and find out who gets eliminated after this week's challenge.
Our presidential candidates compete in a fundraising challenge. One will be eliminated. Written and Directed byRonald L. ConnerTHE BLACKSiDE Created byAntho...
10/01/2024
Congratulations to all the incredible shows nominated tonight!! We are so honored to be among the phenomenal talent, joy, and artistry celebrated tonight!! ✨🤞🏾
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Celebrating 20 Years of Theatrical and Professional Excellence
OUR MISSION
Congo Square Theatre Company is an ensemble dedicated to artistic excellence. By producing definitive and transformative theatre spawned from the African Diaspora, as well as other world cultures, Congo Square Theatre Company seeks to establish itself as an institution of multicultural theatre.
OUR HISTORY
Congo Square was co-founded in 1999 by Derrick Sanders and Reginald Nelson, who were driven to create a theatre ensemble that represented artistic excellence and would be important to the American theater landscape. Over twenty years later, the ensemble has grown to seventeen members, and we are proud to have a reputation as one of the premier African-American theatres in the country. Among the highlights over the years, we count the honor of producing the work of our mentor and theatrical father, August Wilson as one of them. Our production of Seven Guitars garnered top honors (best ensemble, best direction, and best production) at the 2005 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Congo Square was the first African American theatre company to receive such an honor.
In 2005, Congo Square established The New Playwright Initiative, which was renamed The August Wilson New Play Initiative (AWNPI) after his death. This program is designed to provide opportunities for emerging African American playwrights.
The AWNPI initiative is presented through a multi-faceted process of commissioning new artists, producing staged readings, and developmental workshops. This tiered process produces new works by new playwrights, adding powerful new voices to the cannon of American theatre.
Since its inception, The August Wilson New Play Initiative has produced new works like Stick Fly by Lydia Diamond, which went to Broadway and is currently being developed for HBO, Deep Azure by Chadwick Boseman, and the most recent entries: Ensemble Member Kelvin Roston’s Twisted Melodies, Lekethia Dalcoe’s A Small Oak Tree Runs Red, as directed by Harry J. Lennix, and Brothers of the Dust by Darren Canady–which won The American Theatre Critics Association’s Elizabeth Osborn New Play Award in 2012. By continuing this initiative, Congo Square will continue its legacy as innovators and leaders in the development of premier work from by the next generation of great American playwrights.
CONGO SQUARE IN NEW ORLEANS WAS ORIGINALLY SACRED GROUND TO THE HOUMA INDIANS. IT IS MOST COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC MARKET WHERE ENSLAVED AFRICANS AND FREE PEOPLE OF COLOR WOULD GATHER TO SING, DRUM, DANCE, AND TRADE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS. DATING BACK TO 1819, AFRICAN CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS DISPLAYED AT CONGO SQUARE DEVELOPED INTO AFRICAN AMERICAN TRADITIONS, STILL CELEBRATED TODAY.
