Praize Productions, Inc. is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization committed to providing holistic arts education for youth and adults. The organization has four main programs: a performing arts academy, a professional dance company, a pre-professional youth ensemble, and outreach. Praize Productions primarily serves youth from underserved communities on Chicago’s South Side. The organization strives to inspire young people to grow as both artists and individuals, recognizing that art is a form of self-expression.
Praize Productions’ performances center the narratives of Black artists. Despite the profound impact of Black culture on all aspects of the performing arts, Black artists are severely underrepresented in the profession. Praize Productions aims to illuminate the power of Black art and create more opportunities for Black artists to thrive in the industry. In doing so, the organization seeks to build a community of support and love, building collaboration rather than competition among young artists.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund will support the production of “Black Love (Reigns) Supreme.” The performance will feature dance, spoken word poetry, music, and visual arts, showcasing the story of Black love through the lens of community and culture. Praize Productions will recruit 40 young Black girls between the ages of 6 and 17 to participate in the production. These young artists will engage in weekly rehearsals leading up to the Spring 2024 production, which will premiere at the Reva and Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago. Dancers from Praize Productions’ performing arts academy and professional dance company will support and mentor these young girls as they embark on a challenging but rewarding artistic journey.
Through this project, Praize Productions will expose young Black girls to the world of professional performing arts. They will learn the expectations and rigor of performing at a high level in an empowering environment that nurtures their talents and potential. The goal of the project is to inspire girls to be confident, proud, and comfortable in performing professionally. As a long-term vision, Praize Production hopes to increase Black representation in professional arts because Black artists deserve the opportunity to tell their own stories. To learn more about Praize Productions, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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