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You are invited to join the South East Chicago Commission for A Night at the Theatre,” an evening of fun, fundraising, and a fantastic theatrical showcase!

Our favorite night of the year supports the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program, which supports community beautification and provides micro-grants for selected beautification projects in Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn.

5:00 PM Community Reception

7:30 PM Performance at Court Theatre (5535 S. Ellis Ave)

After the reception, join us for opening night of the soulful and stirring performance of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award winner, Tony Award nominee for Best Play, and the first play written by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway, is a stunning portrayal of a family’s fight for dignity and the right to dream.

Parking: Free parking is available in the parking garage at E. 55th St and S. Ellis Ave, conveniently located within a half-block walk to the reception and the theater.

Please purchase your tickets by Wednesday February 26, 2025. If you cannot attend, donations are greatly appreciated, regardless of size.


About the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program
The Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program is an initiative administered by the SECC that supports community beautification efforts throughout the mid-south lakefront region. One component of the program is providing micro-grants of up to $5,000 each to neighborhood organizations to support beautification projects that enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and allow us to work together as community partners for the improvement of all our areas.

The program is designed to enhance the physical attractiveness of our five-footprint communities. Since 1999, we have granted nearly $1.5 million in beautification grants to over 200 unique and impactful projects.

About Shirley J. Newsome

Shirley J. Newsome joined the SECC Board of Directors in 2006. She was appointed Board President in 2008 upon former board President Valerie Jarrett’s departure to serve President Barack Obama. Newsome led the SECC Board and the SECC’s efforts in housing, transportation, business development and retention, neighborhood improvement, and arts and culture. Newsome served on the SECC Board until 2020 and on the SECC’s Advisory Board through her passing in December 2022.