The DuSable Museum of African American History and Black Ensemble Theater are combining forces to for the Jackie Taylor Drama Series, a series of staged readings curated by its namesake, BET's founding artistic director. The plays include Ervin Gardner's National Anthem, an exploration of protests and professional athletes, ( April 7, 8 ); Reginald Williams' The Plea, which deals with the toll violence takes on Chicago neighborhoods, ( April 14, 15 ) and L. Maceo Ferris' In the Shadow of Justice, which delves the lives of two Black police detectives in Chicago ( April 21, 22 ). DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl., $35; Black EnsembleTheater.com