WINSTON-SALEM—More details are out about this year's national black theatre festival.
Organizers unveiled more plans for the biennial festival that returns to Winston-Salem this summer. That's what Winston-Salem theatre advocates gave a taste of Monday as they outlined the five day National Black Theatre Festival event.
"This will be our 26th year, our 13th production of the National Black Theatre Festival so, Winston-Salem has embraced us we're excited to be here and a lot of celebrities and artists will be here in Winston-Salem,” said Renita Brewington, with the North Carolina Black Repertory.
It takes a lot of sponsors and teamwork to put the multi-day event on within the City of Winston-Salem.
"We've seen just the evolution of this event every year or, every other year. This is the thirteenth one and it seems like the attendance grows every year,” said Evan Raleigh, Winston-Salem Assistant City Manager.
This year, over 50 celebrities of film, television and stage will be there. Along with over 100 performances by 30 of the best Black Theatre companies.
"Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams and they play Jesse and Angie from All My Children so we're very excited about that. We have numerous of other artists coming in, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lamman Rucker,” said Brewington.
With big names and events scheduled it makes it more enticing THIS year for people to come out for the festivities.
"Well, I will tell you I think we are at this point ahead of where we have been at in previous years in terms of booking of room nights, ticket sales are launching and there's been a lot of interest a lot of calls I understand so, I really think we're on track to see our biggest turnout that we've ever had,” said Raleigh.
Tickets are already on sale for the event that runs Aug. 3 thru Aug. 8. Some 60,000 people are expected to attend.