Congo Square Theatre Company, an African American theater company, announced that longtime company member Ericka Ratcliff will serve as its new artistic director, effective immediately.
Ratcliff becomes only the fourth artistic director in the company's 22+-year history, and the first female in that role. Joining Executive Director Charlique C. Rolle, women now hold both top leadership roles at Congo Square for the first time in the company's history.
Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Ratcliff first performed with Congo Square in the premiere production of Lydia Diamond's Stickfly, in 2006. Other Congo Square credits include African Company Presents Richard III, Talented Tenth, The Colored Museum, 365 Plays/365 Days and Bulrusher. Her regional and local theater credits also include performances with Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northlight, Victory Gardens, Chicago Shakespeare, Collaboraction, Mixed Blood, Milwaukee Rep, CENTERSTAGE, Pittsburgh Playwrights and Alliance Theatre, among others.
In addition to her role with Congo Square, Ratcliff is an emeritus ensemble member with The House Theatre of Chicago and an artistic associate with Lookingglass. She is a graduate of Roosevelt University.
Congo Square is offering a new Audio Series introducing the old school radio drama genre to a new, streaming audience; its inaugural program, The Clinic, is now available for tune-in through Sunday, Oct. 10, via www.congosquaretheatre.org/audio-series. Then, starting Friday, Oct. 29, Congo Square's hit sketch comedy Hit'em On The Blackside brings back memorable characters from its first season for a crossover story that spans 12 new episodes. Learn more about all of Congo Square's upcoming season, both virtual and in-person, by visiting www.congosquaretheatre.org .