This year The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival has been designated as one of the top 5 theatre festivals in the country. This year it is taking place over Labor Day weekend at the Southwest Performing Arts Center and the Kimpton Overland Hotel. This is the 11th year of the festival being held here in Atlanta. The founder and executive producer, Toni Simmons Henson, joins us to share information about this year’s event.
I ask her how the transition to a new venue has been. She speaks about working with the Southwest Performing Arts Center for full productions and the nearby hotel where readings will occur.
Henson shares that there is a robust schedule this year, including the headliner August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. She also talks about With Nina and Nancy and Styx and Gunz.
Henson also speaks about the theme of this year’s festival, “The Rennaissance of Black Theatre,” and that we must all continue to tell our stories.
I ask about other activities the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival produces. She speaks about an upcoming online course for aspiring playwrights. Additionally, they have formed partnerships with theatre companies around the globe. They will host a delegation of creatives for Theatre Beyond Borders in Ghana in December.
For more information on The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival.
For more information on Toni Simmons Henson