Congo Square Theatre Company (Congo Square), one of the nation’s premier African American theatres, is proud to present the third season of its popular Hit ‘Em on the Blackside (HOTB) sketch comedy series. With 12 new episodes released weekly on Congo Square’s YouTube channel through February 3, 2023, Season Three returns to the origins of sketch comedy mixing the familiar HOTB style of hard-hitting socio-political commentary with more light-hearted sketches. This season, sketches will range in theme from horror to culinary arts and promises to be the most fun season of HOTB yet.
Season Three of Hit ‘Em on the Blackside features Congo Square’s award-winning African American ensemble and talented guest artists. The cast and crew include show creator Anthony Irons (co-director, writer, show runner, editor), Ronald L. Conner (producer, co-director, writer actor, editor), Alexis J. Roston (writer, actor), Alexandria Moorman (writer, actor), Bair Warburton Brown (1st assistant director, writer), Jonathan Keaton (writer), Allison Peevy (director of photography, camera operator), Tyra Grove (sound mixer), Levi Wilkins (gaffer/ key grip), Jordan Wallace (boom operator), and Jordan Brown (production assistant).
“Hit ‘Em on the Blackside reaches new depths and a new level of breadth in Season Three. This is also the first season the ensemble is not only writing and producing every episode, but also editing in-house. It’s been great for our process!” said Irons. “I am thrilled to be co-directing this season with fellow ensemble member Ron Conner, and it’s wonderful to bring many Congo Square friends and family into the fold in various roles and guest appearances for Season Three.”
Episodes from Season One and Two of Hit ‘Em on the Blackside are available to watch now at congosquaretheatre.org and on Congo Square’s YouTube channel.
In other Congo Square digital news, all six episodes of the second season of the radio-drama, The Clinic, are now available online. The Clinic follows the journey of Dr. Latisha Bradley who is changing the world with a life-altering discovery that was meant to help all but only helps some. Directed by ensemble member Javon Johnson, the Season Two cast includes ensemble members Aimee K. Bryant, Aaron Todd Douglas, Tracey N. Bonner, Will Sims II, and guest artists Jonathan Perkins, Makila Sims, and Neal Moeller. Show runner is Monifa Day and Willow James is the sound engineer. Seasons One and Two of The Clinic can be streamed by visiting congosquaretheatre.org/audio-series; suggested donation is $10.
Registration for Congo Square’s next digital Congo Square Industry Training Institute (CITI) class is now open. Javon Johnson teaches “My Big Break: How to Break into the Business” Monday nights November 7- 28. 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.
“Congo Square began producing digital content during the early days of the pandemic to both bring joy to our audiences and work to our ensemble. Since then, so much has happened,” said Congo Square Artistic Director Ericka Ratcliff. “Our digital content has become an integral part of how we tell stories as a company. The dramatics of The Clinic and the fun and funny of Hit ‘Em on the Blackside are emblematic of our mission to explore the complexities of black culture, while our digital CITI classes expand the reach of our educational initiatives.”
The 2022-23 Season, a mix of digital and in-person programming, continues with 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.