The Black Theater Alliance (BTA) recently announced its 2015 nominees for the 21st annual BTA Awards, honoring African Americans who have achieved excellence in theatre, dance and other areas of the performing arts throughout the Chicagoland area. Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and its Artistic Director, Tim Rhoze, received three nominations for its play, “Why Not Me? A Sammy Davis Jr. Story,” including

• The Negro Ensemble Company Award for Outstanding Stage Production

• The Oscar Brown, Jr. Award for Best Direction of a Play – Tim Rhoze

• The Lorraine Hansberry Award for Best Writing of a Play – Tim Rhoze

• Actor Sean Blake was also nominated for the “The Sammy Davis, Jr. Award” for best leading actor in a play.

Winners will be announced at the ceremony on Oct.19.