It’s been 43 years since Jackie Taylor founded Black Ensemble Theater, and the recent gala held at Venue West celebrated every moment. More than 250 supporters and friends gathered to enjoy live performances, dinner, an auction, and casino games. The evening was chaired by Tom Ricketts, executive chair of the Chicago Cubs and Cubs Charities, and emceed by WGN’s Paul Lisnek. Close to $300,000 was raised to further the theater’s mission of creating award-winning productions, which are seen by a cross-cultural audience of more than 55,000 people a year, and serving more than 10,000 youths annually through outreach programs.

Photos by Julia Nash Photography