Melanie McCullough

The nonprofit Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago has announced the winners of its 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards, honored Monday night in a festive celebration at Black Ensemble Theater. Learn more about the winners here!

BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER will conclude its 2023 season with the holiday favorite, THE OTHER CINDERELLA, written and directed by Jackie Taylor.

The cast of The Other Cinderella includes Mark J.P. Hood, best known as a finalist on The Voice Season 10, as the Prince, with Jessica Seals (Cinderella), Rhonda Preston (Stepmother), Melanie McCullough (Stepsister Geneva), Miciah Long (Stepsister Margarite), Kylah Frye (Fairygodmama), Dwight Neal (King), Shari Addison (Queen), Kyle Smith (Page), Brandon Lavell (Groundhog), Henri Slater (Peanut Butter),Trequon Tate (Attendant), and Paige Hauer (Dorothy).

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with the family-friendly, holiday favorite The Other Cinderella, written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Jackie Taylor and Rueben Echoles.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continue the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with the family-friendly, holiday favorite The Other Cinderella, written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Jackie Taylor and Rueben Echoles.

Teddy Pendergrass was considered to be soul music's number one sex symbol in the '70s with songs like "Turn Off The Lights," "If You Don't Know Me By Now," and "Wake Up Everybody." He was on top of the world and at the height of his career in 1982 when a devastating car accident left him a quadriplegic. Teddy Pendergrass passed away in 2010 having lived with his challenge for 28 years. His story demonstrates that the greatness of the human spirit will never be defeated, no matter the challenges that we face in life.

Six world premiere plays and four new adaptations seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by The Jeff Awards Committee. 178 nominations in 32 categories honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016.

The Jackie Wilson Story returns to Chicago after an extremely successful opening in 2000 and remount in 2011, plus a national tour in 2002, which culminated at the famous Apollo Theater in New York City. This high-energy and touching story follows the career of one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.  

The Jackie Wilson Story returns to Chicago after an extremely successful opening in 2000 and remount in 2011, plus a national tour in 2002, which culminated at the famous Apollo Theater in New York City. This high-energy and touching story follows the career of one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.

Black Ensemble Theater continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with The Jackie Wilson Story, written and directed by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor. The Jackie Wilson Story will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 30-September 4, 2016.  The official press opening is Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 3:00 pm.  Preview dates for the production are July 30-31 and August 5-6, 2016. 

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) with The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The Marvin GayeStory (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 12 - July 10, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 pm. Preview dates for the production are June 4, 5, 10 and 11.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor continues the 40th Anniversary Season (The Season of Greatest Hits) withThe Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend), written by Jackie Taylor and directed by Daryl D. Brooks. The Marvin Gaye Story (Don't Talk About My Father Because God Is My Friend) will be performed at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, June 12 - July 10, 2016. The official press opening is Sunday, June 12 at 3:00 pm. Preview dates for the production are June 4, 5, 10 and 11.

Black Ensemble Theater's 40th anniversary season opens with audience-favorites Doo Wop Shoo Bop and Those Sensational Soulful '60s, running in repertory. Both shows opened today, February 21st. Scroll down to see photos of the productions!

What happens when you put Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson and Gladys Knight together in the same room for a day? Well you certainly get some great nostalgic music that's for sure. Originally presented in 2001, Dynamite Divas will also feature Divas from the past such as Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Nina Simone, December 12, 2015 - January 24, 2016.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the two-week extension of its wildly popular production, At Last: A Tribute to Etta James written and directed by Jackie Taylor and co-directed by Daryl D. Brooks. At Last: A Tribute to Etta James will now run at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, through January 11, 2015.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards are back with nominations open now! Plus the Jeff Awards on Monday night, three acclaimed recent openings, two shows proudly closing, three local shows that may never end, and NBC's live 'Peter Pan' is ready to fly!

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the return of the Black Ensemble classic At Last: A Tribute to Etta James written and directed by Jackie Taylor and co-directed by Daryl D. Brooks. At Last: A Tribute to Etta James is presented at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, September 27-December 28, 2014. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Black Ensemble Theatre Presents At Last: a Tribute to Etta James, through Dec. 28. Candace Edwards, Arzula Gardner, Melanie McCullough, Alanna Taylor and Yahdina Udeen play Etta James with each actress representing a certain time in her career.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the world premiere musical The Marvelous Marvelettes directed by Black Ensemble Associate Director Rueben D. Echoles. The Marvelous Marvelettes will be presented at the BlackEnsemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago, July 18-September 7, 2014.

Black Ensemble Theater Founder and Executive Director Jackie Taylor announces a special Mother's Day concert, To Mother - With Love (A Concert Just For Her), featuring the stars of Black Ensemble. The one-day-only concert will be held on Mother's Day, today, May 12 at 3 p.m. at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.