The National Black Theatre Festival History

Larry Leon Hamlin founded the National Black Theatre Festival™ (NBTF) in 1989. His goal was to unite black theatre companies in America and ensure the survival of the genre into the next millennium. With the support of Dr. Maya Angelou (who served as the Festival's first Chairperson) the National Black Theatre Festival™ was born. The '89 Festival offered 30 performances by 17 of America's best professional black theatre companies. It attracted national and international media coverage. According to The New York Times, "The 1989 National Black Theatre Festival™ was one of the most historic and culturally significant events in the history of black theatre and American theatre in general." Over 10,000 people attended. It lived up to its theme: "An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit."

Held biennially,Now theNBTF attracts more than 60,000 people over the six-days. . The next NBTF will be held in Winston-Salem, NC, July 30 – August 4, 2007. Festival highlights will include the Opening Night Gala, Readers' Theatre of New Works, the Youth/Celebrity Project, International Colloquium, International Vendor's Market, Workshops and Seminars, and of course, over 100 theatrical performances. More than 50 celebrities of stage, screen and television are expected to attend. In 1999, NBTF introduced Fringe, a program designed to support and showcase collegiate theatre. After show festivities and celebrity receptions at the Marriott Hotel wrap up every evening.

Address: 610 Coliseum Drive, Suite 1
............Winston-Salem, NC 27106

........Phone: (336) 723-2266

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