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.
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