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BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Congo Square Theatre a beacon in the arts
Congo Square Theatre Company enjoys a moment after a successful kick off of the Mosley on the Square event series, which featured a public interview, book signing, film screening and staged readings with legendary author Walter Mosley. Picured from left: Congo Square Theatre Executive Director Ann Joseph-Douglas; Samuel Roberson Jr., Ensemble member; Event Moderator Sylvia Ewing, WTTW; Walter Mosley; Tanya Ward, FoxBrownFox PR; Congo Square Theatre Artistic Director Daniel Bryant Photo/Sylvester Harvey Jr.
by Keisha Price DEFENDER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Congo Square Theatre is part of Chicgo’s rich tapestry of performing arts organizations. It is a historical part of the African American landscape. Congo Square Theatre Company continues the African diaspora tradition of its New Orleans namesake as an epicenter for theater, music, dance and social engagement. It was founded in 1999 by Howard University alums Reginald Nelson and Derrick Sanders. “They (Reginald and Derrick) toured around with the idea of starting the company in D.C., Atlanta, or New York. They decided that Chicago would be the best place because this is a city that is known for nurturing and supporting new theatre companies,” said Ann Douglas, executive director of Congo Square Theatre Company. Its mission is to showcase work from the African diaspora and explore the diversity within the Black community. The ensemble started with six members and has grown to 17. They have produced over 23 plays, including the long-running Black Nativity and Lidya Diamond’s Stick Fly (which will soon become a movie on HBO). The organization’s name reflects Black history in this country. The Congo Square is an open space within Louis Armstrong Park, which is located in New Orleans north of the French Quarter. In the 18th century, French and Spanish slaves were allowed Sundays off from their labor duties. They all would gather in “Place de Congo” where they would dance, sing, play instruments and set up trading posts. The weekly gatherings at Congo Square became a popular place for visitors around the country. They were amazed at how African drummers and dancers moved in syncopated rhythm with the bamboulas and banzas. New Orleans was a slave port for Africans and Creoles in the 19th century. The influx reinforced African culture throughout the city. In 2005, Congo Square Theatre produced the late, award-winning playwright August Wilson’s 7 Guitars. The production gar-
nered three Jeff Awards (best director, best ensemble and best production). The critical nods sparked Congo Square Theatre to create the August Wilson New Playwright Initiative. “He (August Wilson) wanted to make it very clear that there are many other ‘chosen ones’ out there in the midst that have yet to be discovered,” said Congo Square Theatre artistic director Daniel Bryant. The New Playwright Initiative encourages African African playwrights to submit their undeveloped works. It includes stage readings and an intensive workshop process that enables by its end, a finished stage production. Two years ago, the program produced Darren Canady’s well-received Brothers of the Dust, a play centered around a Black family that had individual plans for its inherited property. To strenghthen community ties, Congo Square Theatre Company has created outreach programs with local park districts. “We believe that theater is a transformative art form that can speak to community and social issues. So, us being the practitioners of the craft, we take it upon ourselves every year to think about communities we want to impact,” Bryant told Defender. The theatre has its own in-house outreach program, Young Men Owning Our Mission. “We use the theatre as a tool for them to talk about personal issues or struggles. We want them to understand more of how they are reflected in the world and how they can take advantage of all their possibilities,” said Douglas. In spring 2013, the theatre will celebrate its third year of Festival on the Square, a multidisciplinary of experiences that includes puppetry, dance, music, and staged readings. The Congo Square Theatre Company’s latest production is bestselling author Walter Mosley’s The Fall of Heaven. The play is based on Mosley’s book, The Tempest Tales where character Tempest Landry, a Harlem native, gets gunned down on the streets. When he arrives at the gates of heaven, St. Peter orders him to hell, but Tempest refuses to go. Due to a technicality, he gets sent back to earth accompanied by a guardian angel. Once there, the inherent themes of good and evil are a constant. “The play is very clear about what it is. I like that they (Congo
Square) are a small, aspiring, black theatre company. I like them because they’re serious and hardworking,” Mosley told the Defender. “In theatre, that’s what you need to be (hardworking).They are very talented. I am very pleased with what they’ve done with the play.” The new work will be staged at a new production home, Pegasus Players Theatre, 4520 N. Beacon. The Fall of Heaven will run February 25-March 24.
Rosa Parks on USPS ‘Forever’ postage On what would have been the 100th birthday of Rosa Parks Feb. 4, the U.S. Postal Service honored the civil rights icon with a Forever stamp. It was officially unveiled as part of the National Day of Courage ceremonies at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich. Parks was honored on the stamp as a part of USPS' Civil Rights Series. Photo/U.S. Postal Service
CHICAGO DEFENDER / FEBRUARY 6-12, 2013
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