The impressive list of nominations ...

The impressive list of nominations for the 2005-2006 Black Theater Alliance Awards (BTAA) overthrows a recent story in Time not at home Chicago magazine that theater here is overwhelmingly white.

In fact, a more accurate assessment is that black actors, directors and playwrights have been flourishing here, doing gorgeous work in both African-American-oriented theaters and beyond, and in classics and of the present day plays in a wide array of methods

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's fresh production of "Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2" (which just answered from England), Writers' Theatre's production of "The Duchess of Malfi," Steppenwolf's "The Unmentionables," Court Theatre's "Fences" Pegasus Players' "Two Trains Running" and nearest Theatre's "Fabulation" were exceptional showcases for black artists, as were the Goodman Theatre's "Crumb From the Table of Joy" and "The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove" and nearest Theatre's staging of "Fabulation." Chicago Dramatists' mounting of Lydia R Diamond's "Voyeur de Venus" highlighted a talented playwright, and Charles Smith's "Denmark," Victory Gardens' inaugural production at its strange Biograph home this fall, is devot to an aspect of black history as related from a skilled black playwright.

The Congo Square Theatre company is thriving at its Chernin Center location and its annual "Black Nativity" production at the Goodman. Jackie Taylor's Black the whole Theater has sealed the deal forward its new home. And the Hip-Hop Theatre Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art Theatre showcased still another facet of black theatrical influence.

The BTAA Award winners will be announced Oct 2 at the Hyatt rule McCormick Place Hotel, 2233 s Martin Luther King. The awards spotlight local black artists in a more focused way than the Jeff Awards and refer to the depth of talent forward Chicago stages.

Tickets to the dinner and rite are $65; $55 for disposes of five or more. Phone: (773) 624-5729

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