CHICAGO (September 20, 2021)—Congo Square Theatre Company, one of the nation’s premier African American theatres, today announced that longtime Company member
Ericka Ratcliff
will serve as its new Artistic Director, effective immediately. Ratcliff
becomes only the fourth Artistic Director in the Company’s 22+ year
history, and the first female in that role.
Hailing from Baltimore, MD, Ratcliff first
performed with Congo Square in the premiere production of Lydia Diamond's
Stickfly in 2006. Other Congo Square credits include
African Company Presents Richard III, Talented Tenth, The Colored Museum, 365 Plays/365 Days,
and Bulrusher. Her impressive list of regional and local theater credits also includes performances with Second City,
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northlight, Victory Gardens, Chicago
Shakespeare, Collaboraction, Mixed Blood, Milwaukee Rep, CENTERSTAGE,
Pittsburgh Playwrights and Alliance Theatre to name more than a few. In
addition to her role with Congo Square, Ratcliff
is also an emeritus ensemble member with The House Theatre of Chicago
and an artistic associate with Lookingglass. She is a graduate of
Roosevelt University.
“From the first time I encountered Congo Square through its production of Chadwick Boseman’s
Deep Azure, I became immediately enthralled by the company
because of the beauty of the work, the authenticity of Black culture
being represented on stage, and the celebration of Black artists as a
family through the ensemble,” said Ratcliff. “I instantly
knew how special Congo was in that moment and that it would continue to
be for a lifetime. Congo played a pivotal role in my development as an
artist, and I am so fortunate to continue to help lead this
organization, creating a space, a home, and a family,
where our ensemble and Black artists can continue to call home and
flourish in their work and their craft.”
“I am thrilled to be partnering with Ericka as we
continue to build the legacy of Congo Square Theatre! Ericka brings a
wealth of experience and passion for the theatre. She has served in a
variety of roles within the organization over
the years, including Community Engagement + Education Associate,
Literary Manager, Casting Director, Associate Artistic Director to the
late Samuel G. Roberson, and many other roles, so she is well equipped
to lead and support our artists and the future of
our work,” says Executive Director Charlique C. Rolle.
Board Chair Gertrude Wooten also shared the excitement of the board for Ratcliff’s hiring, stating, “As a longtime supporter of Congo Square Theatre Company and its current Board Chair, I am
thrilled with the
hiring of Ericka Ratcliff as our Artistic Director. Ericka is an
extremely talented actor and has been a part of the Congo Square family
for many years. We fully expect her to bring the same
talent and enthusiasm to this new position and strongly believe that
she is the perfect person to lead the Ensemble to another level. We look
forward to great things coming from Ericka’s leadership and are
standing ready to fully support her.”
In
addition to the hiring of Ratcliff as Artistic Director, Congo Square
is pleased to welcome four new Board members including Kristopher
Anderson, Director of Government
& External Affairs at Chicago Association of Realtors; Jeffery
Beckham Jr., CEO of Chicago Scholars; Kristen Evans, Executive Vice
President of Strategy and Operations at RLM Media & Advertising; and
Dorsey Norman III, Owner/Accountant of Dorsey Norman III
& Associates.
Currently underway is the first offering of Congo
Square’s 22nd season: a new Audio Series introducing the old school
radio drama genre to a new, streaming audience; its intriguing inaugural
program,
THE CLINIC, is now available for tune-in through October 10 only via
www.congosquaretheatre.org/audio-series.
Then, starting October 29, the cast and crew of Congo Square’s hit sketch comedy
Hit‘em On The Blackside ups the ante in Season 2 by bringing back
memorable characters from Season 1 for an exciting crossover story that
spans 12 new episodes. Learn more about all of Congo Square’s upcoming
season, both virtual and in-person, by visiting
www.congosquaretheatre.org.
About Congo Square Theatre Company
Congo Square Theatre Company is an ensemble
dedicated to producing transformative work rooted in the African
Diaspora. We are a haven for artists of color to challenge and redefine
the theatrical canon by amplifying and creating stories
that reflect the reach and complexities of Black Culture. Congo Square
is one of only two African American Actors’ Equity theatre companies in
Chicago. Founded in 1999, Congo Square aimed to provide a platform for
black artists to perform and present classic
and new work that exemplified the majesty, diversity, and
intersectionality of stories from the African Diaspora.
Congo Square has risen to become one of the most
well-respected African American theatres in the nation. Previously
mentored by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson,
Congo Square would go on to cultivate talents such
as playwright Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), who penned the 2006 Jeff nominated play
Deep Azure, and playwright Lydia Diamond, who penned the massively successful
Stick Fly, a critically acclaimed play that explores race, class, and familial friction.
Stick Fly ultimately ran on Broadway and is currently being
developed into a full-length series for HBO with Alicia Keys serving as a
producer. Congo Square also produced the widely praised
Seven Guitars, which would eventually go on to win top honors for
best ensemble, best direction, and best production at the 2005 Joseph
Jefferson Awards. This would earn the theatre company the distinction of
being the first African American theatre
company to receive such an honor.
Congo Square’s Educational Programs bring the
impact of theater to young audiences. Its outreach programs, CORE
(Curriculum Objectives Residency Enrichment), and CAST (Congo After
School Theatre), present and teach theater arts by providing
classroom and after-school residencies that provide Teaching Artists to
build upon already established Chicago Public Schools literature and
art curriculums. CORE and CAST impact students and schools located on
the South and West sides of the city.
For more information on Congo Square’s 2021-22 Season, visit
www.congosquaretheatre.org.
