Jackie Taylor Breaks New Ground at Black Ensemble Theater
Jackie Taylor, the trailblazing founder and CEO of Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater, is taking a bold step in 2025 with her newest production, Elvis Presley was a Black Man Named Joe. Unlike the theater’s traditional jukebox-style shows, this musical is deeply personal and autobiographical, telling the story of Taylor’s upbringing in Cabrini-Green and her close bond with her brother Joe—both lifelong fans of Elvis Presley.
The show marks a creative shift for Taylor as she explores new storytelling formats. At the same time, she is preparing for a multi-million dollar capital campaign to expand the theater’s campus along North Clark Street, a move set to strengthen Black Ensemble’s cultural impact in Uptown and beyond.
You can read the full article : https://www.wbez.org/theater-stages/2025/03/11/black-ensemble-theater-jackie-taylor-uptown-clark-new-development
