Working on such shows as HBOs The Wire, NBCs Homicide, ABCs Golden Boy, & CBSs Person of Interest, & Blue Bloods. Most recent Theatre credits include the role of Mister, from The Color Purple, at the Riverside Center For the Performing Arts, Amonasro, from Aida, at the Source Theatre Constellation Theatre Company, In addition to Ton Ton Julian, from Once On This Island, at Olney Theatre Center. Wendell would like to dedicate his performance to his sun Fate Jordan. Under the direction of Lileana Blain-Cruz and choreographed byMarjani Fort-Saunders, the rolling world premiere production of Dreaming Zenzile will bring together seven producers including Octopus Theatricals, National Black Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, McCarter Theatre Center, Arts Emerson, Apollo Theater and New York Theatre Workshop. In the interim, there is a boycott, the threat of a foreclosure, and a sororal feud over whose voice is on the demo that launched her career. He got his start in Gospel music with his first major record deal with the Warner label Word Records. Tylie Shider is a 2019-20 Playwrights' Center Jerome Fellow. From an uproarious family barbecue emerges a compelling examination of love and loss, pain and joy. Among them, we much enjoyed the high energy performances of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Sarasota, Florida. After its critically acclaimed partnership with Park Avenue Armory for 100 YEARS | 100 WOMEN, National Black Theatre continues to uplift and focus on voter rights and the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment with a curated digital series called, Unbought & Unbossed: Reclaiming Our Vote. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). FAT HAM is a delectable comic tragedy directed by The Publics Associate Artistic Director Saheem Ali. Dubbed the "Black Theatre Holy Ground," NBTF is. 100 Years | 100 Women will launch on February 15, 2020 as part of the Armorys annual Culture in a Changing America symposiuma day-long event hosted throughout the institutions historic period rooms, featuring conversations, performances, and salons led by artists, activists, scholars, and civic and cultural leaders. All rights reserved. He believed that African-American theatre was important and was able to make his dream a success.[4]. - From his childhood friend to a dude hes never met, Curtis life sentence has been placed on us all. The play is a powerful story of brutality toward women during wartime in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the year 2000. Dina Vovsis direction guides Abrams strong acting. Traveling far and wide, the 12-foot puppet will explore The Sounds of Harlem welcomed by the drumming students of the Harlem School of the Arts and The Kotchegna Dance Company. National Black Theatre Festival July 29 to August 3, 2019 Winston-Salem North Carolina Productions we attended: Wednesday Ruined By Lynn Nottage North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, NC (Astrid only) Blood on the Root By Dominique Morisseau North Carolina Central University Durham, North Carolina Thursday Continue with Recommended Cookies. Click here for more information about our COVID safety policies. Vickie is the president of the independent theater company, Soaring High Productions and is the CEO of the nonprofit theater advocacy organization, Performing Arts and Literary Society (PALS). Workshop ProductionBy TyLie ShiderDirected by Adrienne D. WilliamsCo-production with Chelsea Factory. The 16th biennial National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) has come to an end. Vickie is the president of the independent theater company, Soaring High Productions and is the CEO of the nonprofit theater advocacy organization, Performing Arts and Literary Society (PALS). Off Broadway: If Pretty Hurts National tours: Ghost (Oda Mae Brown) and The Color Purple revival (Shug Avery). Gabrielle Lee, here Ada Bricktop Smith, performed beautifully more than 20 songs as part of Bricktops storied life as an expatriate in Paris, Mexico City, and Rome. The White House issued statements at first denying the dinner took place and later saying that the Roosevelt women had not been present. Website Design and maintenance by BerkSites [-] Berkshire Website Design, "Astrid, your mater-of-fact description of what you experienced was enough to cause me a bit of regret, tinged with envy, at having missed what sounded like a terrific, moving experience. Drawn to the wonderment and joyful vibration, Amal will be led through the streets of Harlem down 126th Street to the entrance of Marcus Garvey Park on 120th Street. She also leads the eleven mostly young cast members. The 16th biennial National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) has come to an end. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. I talked to my fellow theatergoers as we waited to enter a theater or during intermissions. Serving as its executive director, Hamlins goal in creating the Festival was "to unite black theatre companies in America to ensure the survival of the genre into the next millennium. [3], The NBTF has been successful, but not without difficulties. [6], The 2009 NBTF was held August 38, 2009, with celebrity co-chairs Ted Lange and Wendy Raquel Robinson. She is an Artistic Associate at the Marthas Vineyard Playhouse, and holds an MFA in Acting from Binghamton University. Member: Dramatist Guild of America. None of this would have been possible without the visionary, the late Larry Leon Hamlin, who started the festival in 1989. The world has read Anns diary in many languages, millions of times over. We are indeed on "holy ground". The star-studded gala gets underway with a vibrant parade of powerful African drummers and dancers followed by a grand and royal procession of more than 40 celebrities of stage, television, and film. #FreedomAndJusticeForAll. If you need help getting around, transportation will be available to theatre venues from designated festival hotels throughout the festivals duration. The National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) will once again be held in the City of the Arts, Winston-Salem, Monday, Aug. 1- Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. The Japanese Army forced young women, from occupied countries, Korea, China and Indonesia into sex slavery as so called Comfort Women. These crimes lasted from 1931 to 1945, where an estimated 200,000-400,000 women became forced prostitutes. The next National Black Theatre Festival will be in midsummer 2021. And to the leaders and executive team of the North Carolina Black Repertory Theatre that host the NBTFhats tipped to Artistic Director, Jackie Alexander and Executive Director, Nigel Alston. Although I wasn't able to see ALL the playswhich would have been an impossible feat because of all of the activities available, I had the opportunity to attend several that were entertaining and made significant impact: And there you have itmy wonderful and spectacular theatrical experience at the 16th biennial National Black Theatre Festival. One of our ATCA programs was a session on the Living History of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company and the National Black Theatre Festival, moderated by Lynn Felder, a local arts journalist and ATCA member. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The Movement is an educational experience based on The Childrens Crusade of 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama. Ross recently made her Broadway debut in the Tony nominated revival of For Colored Girls. %
A limited number of after-festival session tickets will be sold on site, day of festival. Written and performed by international music sensation Somi Kakoma, this world premiere musical is an electrifying portrait of a revolutionary artists singular voice and vision. Manage Settings The North Carolina Black Repertory Co. is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County in our City of Arts and Innovation. A production of a Pulitzer Prize drama by Lynn Nottage. The Soul Men are five color-coordinated male dancers of varied sizes and ages. We are also introduced to Annes beloved father and Emmetts strong and determined mother, who decided to have his mangled face and body presented in an open casket funeral in Chicago. Website Design and maintenance by BerkSites [-] Berkshire Website Design. Many of the restaurants catered to patrons by extending their business hours. Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (5/19-6/11), Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (8/25-9/17), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: Belk Theater (6/06-6/11), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: Belk Theater (5/30-6/04), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: Belk Theater (3/28-4/02), Thalian Hall Center For The Perform (6/22-7/02), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: Belk Theater (3/24-3/26), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: Belk Theater (7/25-7/30), Children's Theatre of Charlotte Presents THE NIGHT DIARY, Western Piedmont Symphony Presents MASTERWORKS- MIGHTY MAHLER. She is a member of The Honor Roll, The Bechdel Group, the Rattlestick Theatre Community, and NCTC. The 16th biennial National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) rolls out the purple carpet July 29 - August 3, 2019 in Winston-Salem, transforming North Carolina's city of arts and innovation into a. The National Black Theatre Festival is returning to Winston-Salem this summer after a pandemic hiatus. The North Carolina Black Repertory Company was founded forty years ago, in 1979, in Winston-Salem. How do perceptions of beauty and desirability shape ones existence? Blackstone River Theatre is located at 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I. (401) 725-9272 Finally, all nine singers and actors performed a golden (gown) tribute to Aretha Franklin. The North Carolina A&T State University presented Ruined, a powerful and demanding play by Lynn Nottage. 4 0 obj
Soul Man, A Musical Revue was created and adapted by Nate Jacobs, its founding director. I regret that I didnt see it then or a later Eclipse Theatre production. Two solo shows about eminent black historical figures. We were truly welcomed as minorities during the festival, which does have a small percentage of non-black theatergoers from Winston-Salem and nearby towns and cities. ", * Email address required for verification and does not appear with comments. <>
That was a real disappointment in an otherwise excellent production. Women of Soul, by the Black Ensemble Theater from Chicago, Illinois, was produced by Jackie Taylor, who started the very successful company in 1976. Those were the productions that I saw last week during the Winston-Salem, NC National Black Theatre Festival. First by Faithwas paired with Dinner with Booker T.and staged in the upstairs theater at the Milton Rhodes Center. Travel Noire, New Release, Livestream, GMC, American Woman Kidnapped by Family and Allegedly Forced to marry for A $500K Dowry, Take Flight: 5 Destinations Under $300 Round-Trip in March, The 10 Best Places For Black Americans To Move Abroad, Happy Birthday, Bob Marley! 2019 National Black Theatre Festival July 29 - August 3 An International Celebration & Reunion of Spirit Dick Gregory 1989 Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The festival was planned for Aug. 2-7 this summer, but will be rescheduled for Aug. 1-6, 2022, the North Carolina Black Repertory Company announced Tuesday. What a "full" and "fabulous" day I have experienced. The North Carolina Black Repertory Co. is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County in our City of Arts and Innovation. When justice fails us, we all do time. Juicy is a queer, Southern college kid, already grappling with some serious questions of identity, when the ghost of his father shows up in their backyard, demanding that Juicy avenge his murder. Ann died in 1945 in Bergen-Belsen, a concentration camp in Germany, after the family had been reported hiding in Amsterdam for two years. His Off-Broadway performances include: Dinah Was, Harlem Song and The Headmaster in Tarell Alvin McCraneys Choir Boy, to name a few. WINSTON SALEM, N.C. Larry Leon Hamlin, the late founder of The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., would likely have described the 2019 event using a favorite word he coined - "marvtastic," a combination of "marvelous" and "fantastic." Now, in its 16th season, the festival returns to Winston-Salem aka the black theatre holy ground with this years co-chairs veteran actress Margaret Shug Avery and Broadway sensation Chester Gregory. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Each day will begin with the National Black Theatres Stage for Healing and Resilience, co-produced by The Public Theater and National Black Theatre in continuation of a relationship that dates back to the 1960s. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}360556N 801455W / 36.09875N 80.24863W / 36.09875; -80.24863. There are various stages and categories and if youre interested in the submission process, you can read more about it here. and in collaboration with Diversity Youth Theatre in New York City. Broadway: Macbeth. Celebrities and conference performers shared the podium to greet the press to include the incomparable actress/singer Leslie Uggams, who is the honoree of the Sidney Poiter Lifelong Achievement. Dr. Maya Angelou, who lived in Winston-Salem, was on board right away and became the first Festival Chairperson, inviting known black performers and singers to take part in the festival which is still booming. I can truly say that each could earn a shot on Broadway, a great testament to the theater companies, producers, playwrights, and directors working behind the scene to develop such works of "excellence". Richarda Abrams, playwright and actor, fully becomes her character, an educator and civil rights activist, from child, to teen, young woman and older woman. Photos: 2019 National Black Theatre Festival's Opening Night Gala. The 2017 NBTF was held July 31-August 5, 2017, with celebrity co-chairs Anna Maria Horsford and Obba Babatund. web pages Awards: Drama Desk from Delaware State University and The Theater Projects One-Act competition 2015 Best Play and Audience Favorite. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, N.C. Black Rep postpones 2021 National Black Theatre Festival for a year. on the Internet. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 13 0 R 14 0 R 15 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>>
It was a university production, directed by a theater professor, and considered part of the NBTF fringe series. 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 the inaugural event. This is the 30th anniversary of NBTF and the 40th anniversary of the theater company that started it, The North Carolina Black Repertory Company, led by Executive Director, Nigel Alston and Artistic Director, Jackie Alexander. IF they are still available, you can purchase your tickets at the INFORMATION TENT which will be located just after you enter the main gates on your left. High School and College students were trained for weeks in non-violent resistance before they were ready to protest the lack of integration in Birmingham schools. As is customary, the gala opened with a parade of stars, preceded by the beating of African drums, the rhythm of African dancers, and an African dancer of stilts. Please email info@nationalblacktheatre.org with any questions. Friday, October 6, 2023; 6p-10p (Rides and Harvest Garden Only) Saturday, October 7, 2023; 10a-10p. So, if youre interested in attending and would like the full experience, make sure you make arrangements to be there for about a week. You will see a "sea" of exuberant attendees who have traveled from near and far to celebrate Black theaterat its very best. And, a bucket load of kudos goes to his widow, Lady Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin. Ariel, the sole female performer, is a sizzling dancing and singing talent. 2 0 obj
Lynn Nottages Pulitzer Prize winning drama had its world premiere at Goodman Theatre in 2008. The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) held its annual meeting there in conjunction with the festivals biennial staging. She would like to extend her gratitude to Tylie Shider, the NBT production team and cast, Sujotta Pace, and Hudson Artists Agency. I am glad to be a part of this giant entertainment mogul, we call "The Performing Arts". <>
[5] In addition to over 100 theatrical performances, highlights of the Festival are the Opening Night Gala, the Readers' Theatre of New Works, the Youth/Celebrity Project, International Colloquia, the International Vendor's Market, a poetry slam, and various workshops and seminars. It may be that the best audience for the play would be a middle or high school group not familiar with the history. Stars of the stage, many of whom are also stars of TV and film, gathered under one roof and declared Winston-Salem "Black Theater Holy Ground.". Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. It is truly a loyal public. Here are some things you should know: NBTF is six consecutive days of professional theatre, the only festival of its kind in the United States. Since 2019 is the year of song, the festival committee chose a larger number of musicals than usually to be performed this time. Chelsea Factory is a nonprofit incubation and presentation space for artists and community groups focused on performing and visual arts, food, fashion, spoken word, audio/podcasts, civic services and tech. These were sobering performances among many celebrations. Please subscribe to keep reading. The Gospel Woman National Black Theatre THE GOSPEL WOMAN RETURN TO FULL 2022-2023 SEASON LINEUP ABOUT THE Gospel WomAn Workshop Production By TyLie Shider Directed by Adrienne D. Williams Co-production with Chelsea Factory Soon, Orpah, the award winning Soul singer, will arrive to record her live Gospel album in the church. Dreaming Zenzileis developed byOctopus Theatricalsand theNational Black Theatre, co-commissioned byJoes Pubat The Public andArtsEmerson, Boston, MA and developed with the support ofThe Apollo Theater. endobj
Known best for his role as Deacon Claybourne on the hit television show NASHVILLE, Charles Esten was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and grew up in Alexandria, VA. After starting his acting career in Los Angeles, he was pleased to make his theatrical debut in London, portraying Buddy Holly in the . I do have some quibbles with the script, which is quite basic in some ways (such as when Anne and Emmett try to top each other by naming famous Jewish and black achievers). View Event Retreat Thu, Nov 19, 2020 Sun, Nov 22, 2020 Google Calendar ICS When justice fails us, we all do time. After placing Top 24 on American Idol he was sent on a world tour sponsored by the US Armed Forces, where he performed for thousands in England, Italy, Holland, Germany, France, Korea, Kuwait and Japan. %PDF-1.7
We are currently working remotely with a reduced staff due to COVID-19. This is a rousing and toe-tapping concert-as-play with a thin story line comparing modern music to the soul music and talents of the 1950s and 60s. National Black Theatre is partnered with the New York Philharmonic to bring NY Phil Bandwagon 2 to Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. Later that evening, the stars continued to shine bright at the formal gala, held at the Benton Convention Center. Youth talent is also encouraged to participate. What a smashing success! This season is reflective of our listening and desire to produce unique and diverse offerings that lean into art as a healing tool to anchor our resilience. One of the aspects of the festival that impressed me the most is the community support given by the city and citizens of Winston-Salem. Born in 1856Virginia, he was the last generation born into slavery. THE NATIONAL BLACK THEATER FESTIVAL: Non-stop black theater at its best is on view all this week. During WWII in Europe civilian women were raped by certain groups of soldiers. x}rWTmKnI0fG*ZK>7A5w?[ MgSAvOOOw|u3?jgKR _D3N.{'{x B (Comments may not show up immediately), Back While Children's Theatre of Charlotte continues to celebrate its 75th season, it recognizes that 75 years ago, this past August, India was split into two countries: India and Pakistan. As the recipients of the Stckemarkt Commission of Work, we are currently developing a new piece for Schauspiel Dortmunds 2022/23 season. Contact UsDonatePrivacyCareersSite Credits, Walk with Little Amal & The Sounds of Harlem, NBT@Home presents A Ritual of Repair Panel Discussion, The Gathering: A COLLECTIVE Sonic Ring Shout. The festival is produced every two years in Winston by the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, a 40-year-old theater company founded in 1979 by the late Larry Leon Hamlin, whose memory we observed in a moment of silence before each performance. The National Black Theatre Festival ran July 29 through August 3, 2019, at multiple venues in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Contact UsDonatePrivacyCareersSite Credits. He also led the audience in singing the Black anthem, Lift Every Voice And Sing. 5 and Bach's Orchestral Suite No.2 on Saturday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. at P.E. 2019. Delve deeper into our exploration of identity with this evening of performance and conversation curated by National Black Theatre, and conceived and directed by Dominique Rider. Bus schedules will be available at NBTF hotel lobbies. A rousing concert tribute to soul music. While Children's Theatre of Charlotte continues to celebrate its 75th season, it recognizes that 75 years ago, this past August, India was split into two countries: India and Pakistan. 2019 National Black Theatre Festival July 29 - August 3 An International Celebration & Reunion of Spirit Micki Grant 1989 Mary was at work in the fields by age 5. Thousands of people passed the casket and it became another building block in the Civil Rights Struggle. It lived up to its theme: An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit. As I mentioned, one of the highlights of the festival is the Broadway-style stage plays. 2019 National Black Theatre Festival. National Black Theatre Festival Now 30 Years Old. [2], The first Festival attracted 10,000 people and offered 30 different performances by 17 of Americas best professional black theatre companies. As an educator, she has taught and directed on the faculties of The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, Juilliard Drama Division, Tisch Graduate Acting Program, Hunter College, City College of New York, Syracuse University, Brooklyn College, NYU Gallatin School, Marymount Manhattan College, and the American Academy of Dramatic Art. Some of the honorees for the evening was as mentioned before, Ms. Leslie Uggams (Sidney Poiter Lifelong Achievement Award), Art Evans (Living Legend Award), and Pearl Cleage (August Wilson Playwright Award). Soon, Orpah, the award winning Soul singer, will arrive to record her live Gospel album in the church. Originally created and curated by The New Black Fest under the artistic direction of Keith Josef Adkins, Hands Up is a response to the police shootings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri among other young Black men and women over the years, including Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice and more. We invite you to journey beyond the stage and view our Dramaturgical Exhibition entitled, Love, A Ritual of Repair! 5 and Bach's Orchestral Suite No.2 on Saturday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. at P.E. It is now a memorable entry in the "Black Theatre Holy Ground" history book. She is also a tenured Teaching Artist with the New Victory Theater and has facilitated arts workshops with the Kennedy Center, the DC Commision on the Arts & Humanities, Broadway Advocacy Coalition, New York City Department of Correction, and survivors of human trafficking and their families. Walk with National Black Theatre on Monday, September 26 at 3pm in our celebration processional beginning at the State Office Building at 125th and Adam Clayton Powell as we show Amal the unforgettable pulse of our vibrant community of Harlem! I have been in "awe" all day beginning with the noon-day press conference spearheaded by Media Relations Director, Brian McLaughlin. Many of the lyrics were hard to understand, even for songs that were very familiar. The family declined to give the cause of death. So I was eager to see Ruined, which was staged in Dillard Auditorium at Winston-Salem State University. These young protesters played their part in moving the Civil Rights agenda forward. Several earlier presidents had invited black leaders such as Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, to the White House and Roosevelt himself had done the same while governor of New York. It was a simple White House dinner. Hall is earnest in his characterization of Washington, but his style and many of his transitions are erratic. Derric is a young performer, angling for his first album and committed to hip-hop and rapuntil he isnt, because, of course, the Soul Men convince him of the beauty of the earlier music. The Greenbrier Valley Theatre of Lewisburg, West Virginia, was invited to introduce Bricktop: Legend of the Jazz Age, a one woman show. If youd like to explore a charming midsize southern city and have the opportunity to see lots of plays and other arts events with an African American focus, I recommend you consider a visit to Winston-Salem in two years. NBTF is "taking over" the city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina this entire week, July 29-August 3. So proud to be a African American who loves the Performing Arts. Grounded in the dynamic legacy of Shirley Chisholm, this digital series features micro-commissions from Ngozi Anyanwu, Hope Boykin, Mahogany L. Browne, Dane Figueroa Edidi, Candice Hoyes, Val Jeanty, and Dianne Smith. 4 O9(cs G'. Some of the plays and events were held at two hotels in central Winston-Salem, but many of the 30 theatrical productions were on stages all over townin schools and universities, churches, and arts centers. 2019 In 2020 Amanda led as the CEO and Artistic . A production of a Pulitzer Prize drama by Lynn Nottage. Larry Leon Hamlin, the late founder of The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., would likely have described the 2019 event using a favorite word he coined - "marvtastic," a combination of "marvelous" and "fantastic." Jul 25, 2013 Updated Mar 28, 2019; 0; . Updated: Jul 29, 2019 / 07:57 PM EDT The show was written and directed by Daryl Brooks, who staged solo memories of the Young Josephine Baker, Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, Donna Summers, Janis Joplin and others. Stewart is an AMDA alumni with Broadway credits including: The Color Purple revival, Tina the Tina Turner Musical. National Black Theatre Festival. Little Amal has arrived in NYC and she is coming to Harlem! Critically-acclaimed playwright James Ijames reinvents Shakespeares masterpiece with his new drama, FAT HAM. Out of the many projects I have worked on over the decades, the National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) is the largest scale endeavor I have embarked on. National Black Theatre Festival, 2019 Winston-Salem, North Carolina,7/29-8/3 By: Astrid Hiemer - Aug 12, 2019 - / 4 National Black Theatre Festival Now 30 Years Old The North Carolina Black Repertory Company was founded forty years ago, in 1979, in Winston-Salem. Co-Production with Public TheaterBy James IjamesDirected by Saheem Ali. This new evening-length work, co-commissioned by the Apollo Theatre, brings the ancestral tradition of the Ring Shout into a contemporary context, taking audiences on a sonic quest rooted in the ritual tradition with a diverse array of contemporary multidisciplinary artists.