The Time Has Come to Break New Ground!

I've worked on a HUGE variety of clients and events since joining The Silverman Group almost three years ago (exactly three years will be this coming Friday Sept 17)! Anyway, during my time at TSG some of the more unique clients I've had the opportunity to promote include the World's Toughest Rodeo at the United Center, the International Kennel Club of Chicago Cluster of Dog Shows, a President Obama themed Advent Calendar, Altar Boyz - a musical about a Christian Boy Band, in addition to more mainstream theatre, art, comedy, and non profit events. However, until this past week I had never worked on a ground breaking! I've helped open new buildings, but that was it... until now!

This past Friday, September 10 the Black Ensemble Theater held a ground breaking ceremony for their new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center. Originally I had a personal conflict and may have had to miss the event, but I'm so glad I didn't. It was tremendous! Albeit running a little long, the ceremony was incredibly smooth! Governor Quinn, Mayor Daley, Alderman Shiller and Schulter, Congresswoman Schakowsky, and Senator Raoul were all present at a ceremony emceed by Actor Harry Lennix. Joining them were members of the Black Ensemble Theater family including performers, donors, and members of the general public. Everyone who spoke praised Jackie Taylor and for good reason!

And from a PR standpoint, because really that's what this is about, it couldn't have gone better! Every single local TV station covered the event as did the Chicago Tribune, Sun Times, Time Out Chicago and more! What does that mean? Each outlet was represented by either a cameraman/photographer, a reporter, or both, basically equaling some great coverage!

Jackie Taylor and Harry Lennix being interviewed by WCIU-TV, respectively

For some insight into what the media thought, check out Time Out Chicago and the Chicago Tribune's post-coverage.

Getting back to where this post originated... it was my first ground breaking and it was a success! One of the reasons I still enjoy PR is because after three years I still have the chance to work on something new! Yes in the grand scheme how and what I do for each client is generally along the same lines, but the actual product is so different. A ground breaking can't be compared to a theater opening, which can't be compared to a dog show! Construction on the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center is estimated to take a year and having seen the very first moment when it stared makes it that much more exciting to see the final project! When we open the new Center in the Fall of 2011 I'll be able to say I was there when...

the ceremonial dirt pile to "break ground"

On that note of new buildings, openings, ground breakings... last week I also had the chance to re-open the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, which underwent a massive renovation this summer! More on that later...

It truly was a week of breaking new ground all around!

First-rate Theater in the Second City: Black Ensemble Theater

Chicago theater has come into its own, and reporters at home and abroad are taking notice. The New York Times praised the diversity and unassuming attitude of the theater scene here. Charles Isherwood went so far as to call New York "the east side of Chicago." Similarly, the Guardian posted an article last month reminding Chicagoans that while rivaling New York theater shouldn't be a goal, it is an attainable one.

It's heartening that the arts scene here is gaining recognition in terms of both quality and quantity (with nearly 200 theaters in Chicagoland). Kris Vire of Time Out Chicago praised Black Ensemble Theater as representative of the city's brand of homegrown theater: "Consider also the uplifting portraits of African-American icons produced by the Uptown district's Black Ensemble Theatre, run by one-woman gale force Jackie Taylor..."

As apt as the metaphor is, it still might not convey the breadth of Taylor's achievements. After writing over 100 plays, her goal is still to use theater as a platform to bring together audiences of all races to celebrate similarities and differences. The result is the most ethnically diverse audience in the country: "BE’s audience demographics are 50 % African American, 40% Caucasian and 10% other races; and 70% female, 30% male." Demographics alone can't account for the power of her plays, however:

Her productions are not only highly educational but uplifting and spiritual. She uses her plays to cross cultural barriers bringing people of all colors and kinds into the theater to celebrate the human spirit. For 30 years she has successfully used theater as a communicator and facilitator to help eradicate the basis of racism, which is ignorance.

Just 29 years after its founding, Black Ensemble Theater was listed in the Encyclopedia Britannica Almanac 2005 as one of the top 25 theaters in the country. Seeing a Black Ensemble Theater production is a spiritual yet educational experience.

The company is The Beatles of theater: Black Ensemble Theater is somehow prolific, inspired and culturally relevant. As Black Ensemble Theater is in its 33rd season, the similarities end there. Their latest production, The Message Is In The Music (God Is A Black Man Named Ricky), does feature songs from the Fab Four. Other artists featured include Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and The Isley Brothers, The Temptations and Paul Simon.

Don't miss The Message is in The Music, scheduled for an open run at the Black Ensemble Theater. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.