About Our Organization

The Lillian Marcie Center for Performing Arts was founded by industry veterans Harry Lennix and TaRon Patton. Harry Lennix is a celebrated film, television, and stage actor, who most recently starred in NBC’s hit series The Blacklist. With a life dedicated to the arts, Harry is deeply connected to the national theatre community and understands the impact that performing arts centers on redeveloping neighborhoods. 

TaRon Patton is an accomplished arts executive who currently also serves as the Co-Founder of the African American Museum of the Performing Arts (AAMPA), a keystone partner and anchor tenant of Lillian Marcie Center.

The Lillian Marcie Center for Performing Arts' (LMC) mission is to restore and secure the artistic legacy of the Chicago Bronzville neighborhood.  The Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts at 4343 S. Cottage Grove Ave., or the heart of Bronzeville, will be on the site of an old Marshall Field's three-story, brick warehouse built in 1915. Once constructed, LMC will be the capstone for the performance of African American cultural aesthetic and the collective artistic soul trust of the Black American experience. 

The Lillian Marcie Center will mark a new chapter in Bronzeville’s rich cultural traditions by representing the pinnacle of style and substance. LMC will be a state-of-the-art theatre that will rival any in the country, featuring more than 300 seats, a multi-level, flexible performance stage, and a smaller boutique theater with 90 seats. Audiences will enjoy a world-class theatre experience unprecedented in the neighborhood. Additional building features include rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, offices and outdoor gathering spaces. This project will greatly add to the growing development of the Bronzeville neighborhood, while giving locals and tourists an exciting opportunity to enjoy some of the finest performances Chicago has to offer.

LMC will also be an important center of community driven programming. For the last two years, we have introduced ourselves to the Bronzeville neighborhood by hosting our Annual LMC Summerfest. This FREE summer arts festival has received wonderful responses from the community and showcases the City’s diverse and rich array of professional artists and local performers . LMC will provide viable jobs locally for young professionals and established artists, educational opportunities for local schools and internships for college students. In addition, LMC will continue to serve as a dynamic partner and supporter of local arts organizations in Chicago.