Congo Square Theatre’s online series aims for an ‘authentic’ social justice voice

More than ever, Black creatives are the ones running point on their stories, and due to social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for context in storytelling is paramount.

“Hit ‘Em on the Blackside,” an online series which launched Oct. 9 by Congo Square Theatre Company — and can be viewed on the ensemble’s Instagram and Facebook fan pages — features the company’s award-winning acting ensemble in bi-weekly Friday webisodes that address timely topics such as remote learning and police brutality, among other issues.

“I always felt when I joined Congo Square — I also worked with Second City, so I got that sketch improv background,” said director Anthony Irons, “I was interested in helping to hear and develop the voice of Congo, and commenting on what’s happening in the world. I just felt like a perfect fit with social-political satire.”

“Blackside,” which stars Ron Conner, Alexis J. Roston, Tiffany Addison, and Kelvin Roston Jr., is the “spiritual successor” to 2014’s “Tales From the Blackside,” a previous Congo Square ensemble sketch comedy, where “In the News,” was a segment detailing the protests in the aftermath of the death of Ferguson, Missouri, teen Michael Brown.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

“We had pitching sessions this past summer, and so I came in already with some the material I wanted to revisit from the original show,” said Irons. “So I went back and I was like: ‘Man, you know what? This stuff is still relevant. … A lot of the same circumstances, and so I went back and revisited and updated it. We found a way to put it online.

“I also wanted to pull as many ensemble members into the fold as possible. And we also reached out to special guest artists. ‘In the News’ is probably one of my biggest pieces where the breadth of topics that it encompasses, and the amount of perspective it offered. And the guests that we bring in to help us with the pieces — the segments — that are part of ‘In the News.’ ”

“Blackside’s” first episode (which aired Oct. 9) titled “Reopening Schools,” and written by Conner, was an ode to the antics he sees on a Facebook group of Oak Park school parents who ruminate — and complain — about the trials and tribulations of remote learning.

“The conversations ranged from the practical to the ridiculous suggestions from parents,” said Conner. “I just found the humor in parents really getting tired of their kids being home. ... And we thought it was a nice way to kick off the series. Trying to figure out a safe way. Is it safe for the kids to return? I’m considering teacher safety — so that’s really the debate. Is it safe? And why isn’t it safe? And it goes off into the ridiculous because the parents really want their kids to get out of the house.”

Conner, a 14-year Congo Square veteran who also plays “Bluto” on Comedy Central’s “South Side,” says he’s gotten a lot of positive feedback from parents regarding the webisode.

“It’s the new normal, and it speaks to the school districts and their resources,” said Conner, the father of two. “So it was important to address but not take a side and say: ‘Oh no, e-learning is not good — they should reopen the schools.’ Or say: ‘Oh no, they shouldn’t reopen the schools — let’s stick to virtual learning.’ It was important to us to show both sides of the debate, and find the humor in it. But it’s important because it looks like it’s something we’re going have to be dealing with for the foreseeable future.”

Congo Square Theatre aims to compile the webisodes into a full show for a December viewing.

The 2020 slate of episodes ends Dec. 18. The new bi-weekly webisodes will resume March-June 2021 with part two of the show posted in June, according to a statement from the theater.

“I’ve always believed that your job is to speak the truth — to be the authentic voice,” said Irons. “Of course you can always speak for yourself, but you’re also speaking on behalf of a community of an entire people — and it does have a humorous slant to it. I always try to take particular care and make sure that we’re not just poking fun at people’s lives; we do our best to honor voices and offer diverse perspectives.”

You can watch the online series “Hit ‘Em on the Blackside,” for free at https://www.facebook.com/congosquaretheatre and https://www.instagram.com/congosquarechi/