Join the National Black Arts Festival for an evening of bold ideas, honest assessment, and forward vision as we chart the trajectory of Black theatre across regions, institutions, and generations. This edition of Creatively Speaking brings together two visionary leaders shaping the field today: Kelley Girod, Director of New Works at the Apollo Theater, and Stephanie McKee, Executive Artistic Director of Junebug Productions. The conversation is facilitated by Addae Moon, Associate Artistic Director of Theatrical Outfit.
The discussion begins in the South, examining the rich legacy of Black Southern theatre as a space of storytelling, resistance, and community truth telling. From grassroots ensembles to movement-based companies, Southern Black theatre has long nurtured artists and narratives that challenge, affirm, and redefine American culture. From there, the conversation expands outward to Broadway and beyond. What is the current state of Black theatre nationally? How are Black artists navigating commercial stages, regional institutions, and independent companies? Where are the breakthroughs, and where do barriers persist? And what must shift to ensure that Black theatre continues to thrive everywhere, from local stages to the largest platforms in the country?
Creatively Speaking: Black Theatre Then, Now, and Next
March 18, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Auburn Avenue Research Library
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