“Chicago has a rich and fertile community of African American Playwrights. There was a need for an organization that focused specifically on these artists as it related to their unique cultural heritage.
The BPI (Black Playwrights Initiative) is a vehicle that brings us together as a community to share resources and nourish our skills.
It is the purpose of the BPI to develop scripts for the Black Ensemble Theater. It is also the purpose of the BPI to increase local and national exposure for our membership.”

– Jackie Taylor, Founder and CEO of Black Ensemble Theater and the Creator of Black Playwrights Initiative

*PLEASE NOTE – All productions are staged readings. There will be some music, but the actors will be reading from scripts for accuracy and to benefit the growth of the playwrights.*