The Clinic, Congo Square Theatre Company’s (Congo Square) popular old-school radio drama, resumes with its second season with episodes one through three now online. Congo Square, one of the nation’s premier African American theatres, began The Clinic in the fall of 2021 as a way of introducing the serial radio drama genre to a new, streaming audience. Created, written, acted, and produced by Congo Square ensemble members, season two of The Clinic will air in six cliffhanging episodes released between September 1 and October 31. Tune in to season two, or catch up on season one, by visiting www.congosquaretheatre.org/audio-series; a donation of $15.00 is suggested.
In season one, audiences were introduced to Dr. Latisha Bradley, a whip smart doctor who discovered a life-altering pharmaceutical that was meant to help all, but only helps some. Steeped in the stylings of the original soap-opera radio dramas, season one tackled themes like betrayal, love, and racism in healthcare and left listeners on a dramatic cliffhanger. In season two, Dr. Bradley will change the world, as long as her nemeses – and her own heart – don’t get in her way.
“We are excited to continue the digital pursuits we began during the first two years of the pandemic,” say Congo Square Artistic Director Ericka Ratcliff “though we first turned to virtual media out of necessity, it has been artistically fulfilling for our ensemble and thrilling for our audiences to experience Congo Square through a variety of media.”
Directed by Congo Square’s Javon Johnson with showrunner Monifa Days, the cast includes fellow ensemble members Aimee K. Bryant, Aaron Todd Douglas, Tracey N. Bonner, Will Sims II, with guest artist Jonathan Perkins, Neal Moeller, and Makila Sims. Willow James is the sound engineer.
Also launching this month is the return of the company’s valuable virtual Congo Square Industry Training Institute (CITI) led by veteran Congo Square ensemble members. Registration for the first two classes is now open, with Tracy Bonner leading the four-part "Master the Art of Self-Tape" workshop Monday evenings starting September 13 and Javon Johnson leading “My Big Break: How to Break into the Business” Monday nights starting November 7. CITI courses later in the season include “How to Write for TV and Film” led by Johnson, “Secure the Bag: Grant Writing For Individual Artists” by Ann Joseph Douglas, and “Classical Interpretation” by Allen Gilmore. CITI workshops are $30 and free for college students. To learn more and register, visit www.congosquaretheatre.org/citi.
The 2022-23 season, a mix of virtual and in-person programming, continues with a remount of What to Send Up When It Goes Down in residence at Lookingglass Theatre (starting September 24), a third season of the online sketch comedy series Hit ‘Em on the Blackside (launching October 28); the world premiere of How Blood Go at Steppenwolf’s 1700 theater (opens March 16, 2023); and the company’s now annual Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration (June 17).
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 theater companies in Chicago. Founded in 1999, Congo Square aimed to provide a platform for Black artists to present works 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 theaters 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 (Marvel Studio’s 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 theater company the distinction of being the first African American theater company to receive such an honor.
Congo Square’s Community Engagement and Education programs bring the impact of theater to young audiences. Its outreach programs, CORE (Curriculum Objectives Residency Enrichment), and CAST (Congo After School Theater), 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, schools, and community organizations located on the South and West sides of Chicago.
For more information on Congo Square’s 2022-23 Season, visit www.congosquaretheatre.org.