WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The International Black Theatre Festival is back in Winston-Salem, and actors Clifton Davis and Tamara Tunie will be the celebrity co-chairs of the event this year.
Tunie is best known for her role as the mother of Whitney Houston in “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and has also played Dr. Melinda Warner for 23 seasons on “Law And Order: SVU.”
Davis is a Tony and Grammy-award nominated actor, singer, composer, and more. He recently completed a four-year run in Broadway’s “Aladdin.” Before he became an actor, he wrote The Jackson 5’s hit song “Never Can Say Goodbye.”
The International Black Theatre Festival, considered the biggest event in Black theatre, will mark its 35th year and will run from July 29 to August 3.
Over six days, the festival will present more than 100 theatrical performances performed by national and international professional Black theatre companies at multiple venues throughout Winston-Salem.
Festivities recently kicked off with a high-energy news conference on Monday July 29th at noon in the Marriott Lobby, followed by a star-studded gala at the Benton Convention Center.
Officials said over 60,000 people are expected to attend the event, along with celebrities from stage, screen, and television.
History
The IBTF is one of the most historic and culturally significant events in the history of black theatre and is produced by The North Carolina Black Repertory Company. IBTF is the only theatre festival in the country offering six consecutive days of professional theatre. Other components of the festival include workshops, a reader’s theatre of new works, a film festival, a poetry jam, a youth celebrity project, a vendor’s market, and The International Colloquium. IBTF officials have also created exciting events for teens during Festival week with TEENtastic. Officials say over 60,000 people are expected to attend the event. The IBTF has more than a $10 million impact on the economy of Winston-Salem, known as Black Theatre Holy Ground!
For additional information on the festival or how to get tickets, click or tap HERE.