National Black Theatre Festival facts for kids

The National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) is a super cool event that celebrates African-American theater! It was started in 1989 by a person named Larry Leon Hamlin in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His big idea was to bring black theater groups from all over America together. He wanted to make sure this important type of theater would keep going strong for many years. The NBTF happens every two years for six days, showing off the very best in African-American plays and performances.

How It All Started

In the late 1980s, Larry Leon Hamlin was doing some research. He noticed that many black theater groups weren't connected to each other. He thought a festival would be a great way to bring them all together. So, he reached out to the famous writer and poet Maya Angelou for help.

Together, they worked hard to raise money. They got $500,000 in grants and donations to pay for the festival. The very first festival was a huge success! About 10,000 people came to see it. There were 30 different shows put on by 17 of America's best black theater companies.

The first festival's theme was "An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit." Maya Angelou was the first chairperson. Many other famous African-American performers also helped with money and support. News about the festival spread all over the world, and everyone loved it.

Facing Challenges

The NBTF has been very successful, but it has faced some tough times. In 2001, the festival had serious money problems. Some groups that usually gave money reduced their support. This left the festival with a $300,000 shortage.

Even with this big problem, Larry Leon Hamlin did not give up. He believed that African-American theater was too important to stop. He worked hard and managed to raise enough money to cover the loss. His dream for the festival continued to be a success.

The Festival Today

Today, the NBTF brings almost 60,000 people to Winston-Salem. There are more than 100 plays and performances to enjoy. The festival also has many other exciting events.

What Happens at the Festival

• Opening Night Gala: A fancy party to kick off the festival.
• Readers' Theatre of New Works: New plays are read aloud for the first time.
• Youth/Celebrity Project: Young people get to work with famous actors.
• International Colloquia: Discussions about theater with people from around the world.
• International Vendor's Market: A market where you can buy unique items.
• Poetry Slam: A fun competition where poets perform their work.
• Workshops and Seminars: Chances to learn more about theater and acting.

More than 50 celebrities often attend the festival. They come to support and enjoy the performances.

Recent Festivals

The 2007 festival was the first one without Larry Leon Hamlin's direct guidance. He passed away on June 6, 2007. Even though he was missed, the organizers kept preparing, and the festival went on.

Here are some of the recent festivals and their celebrity co-chairs:

• 2009 NBTF: August 3–8, with Ted Lange and Wendy Raquel Robinson.
• 2011 NBTF: August 1–6, with Lamman Rucker and T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh.
• 2013 NBTF: July 29-August 3, with Tonya Pinkins and Dorien Wilson.
• 2015 NBTF: August 3-8, with Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams.
• 2017 NBTF: July 31-August 5, with Anna Maria Horsford and Obba Babatundé.
• 2019 NBTF: July 29-August 3, with Margaret Avery and Chester Gregory.
• 2022 NBTF: August 1–6, with Lisa Arrindell and Petri Hawkins-Byrd.