Theatre Blog of Darryl Maximilian Robinson

On this Second Federal Holiday Recognition of Juneteenth, Theatre Lovers and Supporters, I have to take a moment to acknowledge the huge wealth of black theatre performing artists, producers, directors and companies in The Greater Chicago Professional Arts Community who faced the challenge of presenting works that have addressed the devastation caused by slavery, systemic racism, social injustice and unfair oppression that is not only woven into the history of these United States of America, but indeed, nations around the world. Since the 1980s with such local companies as the late Producer Val Gray Ward's Kuumba Theatre Company ( as a performer in 'The Little Dreamer: Aka Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues' and 'Deadwood Dick, The Legend of the West' ) and the late Producer Abena Joan Brown's ETA Theatre Company ( as a principal actor in the midwest premiere in playwright Ray Arahna's 'Sons and Fathers of Sons' ), and ongoing into the 1990s in

Happy Summer, Theatre Lovers and Supporters. This is the time of year that many young and veteran stage actors and actresses pack up their bags to travel and perform in Summer Stock theatre productions in rural and urban venues all around the country.This is a professional ritual many artists in The Chicago Acting Community take part in and it was truly one of the happiest and most needed developmental and artistic experiences of your humble servant. Sadly, due to the still ongoing Covid-19 pandemic many summer stock houses are closed and shuttered hoping for happier, healthier and safer times to present their usual fare of established plays and well-known musical classics! To those performing artists who are blessed to find gainful employment this summer season, I say to them huzzah and much success. And to those brave producers and venue operators willing to take up the challenge and risk of presenting a season of summer stock during Covid-19, I say bravo! Below is a photo blas