BLACK WORDS MATTER Events Set for Black History Month at Goodman Theatre

This February, Goodman Theatre has joined citywide celebrations of Black History Month with its "Black Words Matter: Celebrating Black Voices On Stage and Beyond" series of events.

Partnering organizations and free offerings include: the DuSable Museum of African American History with a reading of Gee's Bend by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder; AMC Dine-in Theatres Block 37 with a film screening of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (1995); Harold Washington Library with panel discussions with acclaimed African American Playwrights and directors; and a diversity-focused career fair with the League of Chicago Theatres.

More details about each event follow. Events are free, but reservations are required due to limited capacity; visit GoodmanTheatre.org/BlackWordsMatter.

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"Weaving Our Stories: A Community Read-in and Viewing"

Tuesday, February 7 at 2pm | DuSable Museum of African American History (740 E. 56th Place)

In partnership with DuSable Museum of African American History, the Goodman invites audiences to participate in a community read-in of the play Gee's Bend by Elyzabeth Gregory WildeR. Wilder's play focuses on the turbulence of 20th century race relations and the real-life quilting community of Gee's Bend, Alabama. The reading is presented alongside DuSable's featured exhibit "Unpacking Collections: The Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, an African American Quilt Scholar."

Film Screening of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (1995)

Monday, February 13 at 6:30pm | AMC Dine-in Theatres Block 37 (108 N. State St.)

In partnership with AMC Dine-in Theatres Block 37, the Goodman presents a special screening of the film adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (1995) with an introduction by artist and scholar Ron OJ Parson-who has previously directed stage productions of August Wilson's Fences and The Piano Lesson. Please note: Availability is extremely limited.

"Chuck Smith Lecture Series: Playwrights From Past to Present"

Thursday, February 23 at 6:30pm | Harold Washington Library - Pritzker Auditorium (400 S. State St.)

Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith continues his popular lecture series with a discussion with Northwestern University Professor Harvey Young about the future of Black Theatre in Chicago and the generation of post-August Wilson writers. Chicago-based playwrights Lydia R. Diamond, Ike Holter and

Dawn Renee Jones will join Smith and Young in conversation.

Panel Discussion: "Diversity in Theater Administration & Intern/Apprentice Networking Event"

Monday, February 27 at 5:30pm | Goodman Theatre - Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement (170 N. Dearborn St.)

Goodman Theatre Partners with the League of Chicago Theatres to present a diversity-focused career fair and panel, in response to continued need for more diverse representation in theater administration. Young professionals will have the opportunity to have face-ime with theater administrators from acclaimed Chicagoland theaters, such as the Goodman, Congo Square Theatre Company, Silk Road Rising and more.

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America's "Best Regional Theatre" (Time magazine) and "Chicago's flagship resident stage" (Chicago Tribune), Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit organization distinguished by the quality and scope of its artistic programming and civic engagement. Founded in 1925, the Goodman is led by Robert Falls-"Chicago's most essential director" (Chicago Tribune), who marks 30 years as Artistic Director this season-and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, who is celebrated for his vision and leadership over nearly four decades. Dedicated to new plays, reimagined classics and large-scale musical theater works, Goodman Theatre artists and productions have earned hundreds of awards for artistic excellence, including: two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards, nearly 160 Jeff Awards and more. Over the past three decades, audiences have experienced more than 150 world or American premieres, 30 major musical productions, as well as nationally and internationally celebrated productions of classic works (including Falls' productions of Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey into Night, King Lear and The Iceman Cometh, many in collaboration with actor Brian Dennehy). In addition, the Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson's "American Century Cycle." For nearly four decades, the annual holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol has created a new generation of theatergoers.

The 2016 opening of the Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement ("the Alice") launched the next phase in the Goodman's decades-long commitment as an arts and community organization dedicated to educating Chicago youth and promoting lifelong learning. Programs are offered year-round and free of charge. Eighty-five percent of the Goodman's youth program participants come from underserved communities.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago's cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family's legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth's family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.

Today, Goodman Theatre leadership includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, ReGina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Joan Clifford is Chair of Goodman Theatre's Board of Trustees, Cynthia K. Scholl is Women's Board President and Justin A. Kulovsek is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals. Visit the Goodman virtually at GoodmanTheatre.org-including OnStage+ for insider information-and on Twitter (@GoodmanTheatre), Facebook and Instagram.

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