Free Screening of A Lesson Before Dying Coming to Lincoln Square Theater
Elena holds a Bachelor's in Arts Administration from Columbia College Chicago and has spent the last 4 years covering the vibrant arts scene in Central Illinois. She believes in the power of storytelling through the arts and frequently writes about local artists and cultural events.
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November 2, 2026 Community members will have an opportunity to experience A Lesson Before Dying on the big screen during a free movie showing Thursday, November 12, at the Lincoln Square Theater. Presented as part of Big Read Macon County, the screening will run from 6 to 8 p.m. and include complimentary popcorn. The film adaptation of Ernest J. Gaines novel stars Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson and Mekhi Phifer. Set in Louisiana in the late 1940s, the story follows a young Black man sentenced to death and a teacher who works to help him recognize his dignity and worth in the face of injustice. A Lesson Before Dying is the featured book for Big Read Macon County, a community-wide literacy initiative bringing residents together through reading, events and conversations about the novel s themes, including race, justice, courage and human dignity. The free screening is presented in partnership with the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and Lincoln Square Theater, as part