Spotlight Turns Ten

Court Theatre
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

Court Theatre’s Spotlight Reading series celebrates its 10th anniversary from August 7–22, 2026, with A Century of Black Progress, a festival exploring the past, present, and future of Black storytelling through the lens of Chicago's cultural ecosystem. Get an up-close look at the inspiration, process, and creators behind one of Court's most popular programs in the Spotlight Reading Series companion podcast, Spotlight Turns Ten.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Black Futures: Placemaking and Keeping

    A conversation between Tyrone Phillips (founding Artistic Director, Definition Theatre), Tina Fakhrid-Deen (playwright), Jarrett King (Director of Education, Court Theatre), Kamilah Rashied (Director of Engagement, Court Theatre) about Definition’s Amplify New Play Festival and their upcoming collaboration with Court Theatre as part of the Spotlight 2026 festivities.  Spotlight Turns 10 is a production of Court Theatre Hosts: Aaron Mays and Kamilah Rashied Producer: Tribble, Ask Tribble Inc. Creative Consultants: Damon A. Williams and Daniel Kisslinger, Respair Media Line Producer: Kelcie Beene Sound Engineer: Jimmy Bonks Buonforte Music: Roy Kinsey - BLACK ft. Ifeanyi Elswith, from the album Dandelions: Gods Don't Cry Special Thanks: Josh McCammon (Technical Director of Audio and Video, Court Theatre), Camille Oswald (Associate Director of Marketing for Content Creation, Court Theatre)

    Black Futures: Placemaking and Keeping

  2. Aug 31

    Passing the Mantle

    Aaron Mays (playwright, director, Spotlight co-founder, and former Court Theatre Community Programs Manager) and Kamilah Rashied (creative producer of the Spotlight Reading Series and Director of Engagement at Court Theatre) discuss the Spotlight Reading Series's evolution. Spotlight Turns 10 is a production of Court Theatre Hosts: Aaron Mays and Kamilah Rashied Producer: Tribble, Ask Tribble Inc. Creative Consultants: Damon A. Williams and Daniel Kisslinger, Respair Media Line Producer: Kelcie Beene Sound Engineer: Jimmy Bonks Buonforte Music: Roy Kinsey - BLACK ft. Ifeanyi Elswith, from the album Dandelions: Gods Don't Cry Special Thanks: Josh McCammon (Technical Director of Audio and Video, Court Theatre), Camille Oswald (Associate Director of Marketing for Content Creation, Court Theatre)

    Passing the Mantle

  3. Aug 24

    Sankofa as Praxis

    A dialogue between Richard Wesley (playwright) and Pemon Rami (director) on the evolution of Black drama and the Chicago cultural ecosystem from the Black Arts Movement to the present moment, moderated by Aaron Mays (playwright and director). Spotlight Turns 10 is a production of Court Theatre Hosts: Aaron Mays and Kamilah Rashied Producer: Tribble, Ask Tribble Inc. Creative Consultants: Damon A. Williams and Daniel Kisslinger, Respair Media Line Producer: Kelcie Beene Sound Engineer: Jimmy Bonks Buonforte Music: Roy Kinsey - BLACK ft. Ifeanyi Elswith, from the album Dandelions: Gods Don't Cry Special Thanks: Josh McCammon (Technical Director of Audio and Video, Court Theatre), Camille Oswald (Associate Director of Marketing for Content Creation, Court Theatre)

    Sankofa as Praxis

  4. Aug 17

    Speak the Speech: An Actor Prepares

    In this episode, actor Shariba Rivers and actor and director Michael Aaron Pogue, both previous contributors to the Spotlight Reading Series in leading and supporting roles, speak with Aaron Mays (playwright and director) about actors' contributions to the Spotlight Reading Series. Spotlight Turns 10 is a production of Court Theatre Hosts: Aaron Mays and Kamilah Rashied Producer: Tribble, Ask Tribble Inc. Creative Consultants: Damon A. Williams and Daniel Kisslinger, Respair Media Line Producer: Kelcie Beene Sound Engineer: Jimmy Bonks Buonforte Music: Roy Kinsey - BLACK ft. Ifeanyi Elswith, from the album Dandelions: Gods Don't Cry Special Thanks: Josh McCammon (Technical Director of Audio and Video, Court Theatre), Camille Oswald (Associate Director of Marketing for Content Creation, Court Theatre)

    Speak the Speech: An Actor Prepares

  5. Aug 10

    Stewarding the Text: A Director's Round Table

    Ron OJ Parson (Resident Artist, Court Theatre) discusses the unique craft of the "staged reading" and the responsibility inherent in directing Black classics with four Chicago directors—Aaron Mays, Malkia Stampley, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, and Charles Andrew Gardner. Spotlight Turns 10 is a production of Court Theatre Hosts: Aaron Mays and Kamilah Rashied Producer: Tribble, Ask Tribble Inc. Creative Consultants: Damon A. Williams and Daniel Kisslinger, Respair Media Line Producer: Kelcie Beene Sound Engineer: Jimmy Bonks Buonforte Music: Roy Kinsey - BLACK ft. Ifeanyi Elswith, from the album Dandelions: Gods Don't Cry Special Thanks: Josh McCammon (Technical Director of Audio and Video, Court Theatre), Camille Oswald (Associate Director of Marketing for Content Creation, Court Theatre)

    Stewarding the Text: A Director's Round Table

  6. Aug 3

    In the Beginning: Spotlight's Origin

    A deep dive into how the Spotlight Reading Series began. Featuring Aaron Mays (playwright, director, and Spotlight co-founder) and Kamilah Rashied (Director of Engagement, Court Theatre). Spotlight Turns 10 is a production of Court Theatre Hosts: Aaron Mays and Kamilah Rashied Producer: Tribble, Ask Tribble Inc. Creative Consultants: Damon A. Williams and Daniel Kisslinger, Respair Media Line Producer: Kelcie Beene Sound Engineer: Jimmy Bonks Buonforte Music: Roy Kinsey - BLACK ft. Ifeanyi Elswith, from the album Dandelions: Gods Don't Cry Special Thanks: Josh McCammon (Technical Director of Audio and Video, Court Theatre), Camille Oswald (Associate Director of Marketing for Content Creation, Court Theatre)

    In the Beginning: Spotlight's Origin
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Court Theatre’s Spotlight Reading series celebrates its 10th anniversary from August 7–22, 2026, with A Century of Black Progress, a festival exploring the past, present, and future of Black storytelling through the lens of Chicago's cultural ecosystem. Get an up-close look at the inspiration, process, and creators behind one of Court's most popular programs in the Spotlight Reading Series companion podcast, Spotlight Turns Ten.

Information

  • Creator
    Court Theatre
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Court Theatre
  • Show Website
    Spotlight Turns Ten

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