International Black Theatre Festival: Breaking down the myths

The 18th biennial International Black Theatre Festival is underway in Winston-Salem, featuring more than 120 theatrical performances over six days.

More than three decades after its inception, myths continue to surround the festival, leaving some non-Black theatre fans wondering if they belong. Over the years, in an effort to expand the festival’s reach, organizers have tried out several slogans:

We’re saving a seat for you! Black theatre is for everyone!

And yet, misperceptions persist.

While its audiences are racially mixed, there is still plenty of room for more diversity, says longtime board member Renita Brewington. She says hesitancy on the part of some theatre fans to attend shows stems from myths surrounding the name itself.

"Sometimes they say, ‘Well, it’s a Black theatre festival, and it’s only for Blacks, so I don’t feel comfortable going to some of the productions,’" she says. "No. It’s for everyone. It's basically an opportunity for Black theatre companies to display their art."

Concerns around safety conditions downtown linger for some would-be visitors during the festival as well. Here, Brewington points out the ongoing collaborative efforts between organizers, law enforcement and city officials to make sure all attendees feel safe and comfortable. She says those planning meetings begin months before the first curtain is raised.

Another stop sign for some on-the-fence theatergoers is parking. Brewington feels those concerns are unfounded, with multiple decks downtown, available spaces at venues throughout Winston-Salem, and, she says, for those who don’t want to drive, the city has provided free transportation.

"So, you can come downtown, park your car in one of the parking decks, get on the bus about an hour and a half before the production, a bus will take you to the venue, drop you off," says Brewington. "At the end of the performance they will pick you up and bring you back downtown."

Brewington cautions — with a laugh — against taking the festival slogan We’re saving a seat for you! too literally.

"We'll try to save a seat for you, but don’t linger, because some of the productions are selling out!"

The International Black Theatre Festival continues through August 3 with performances throughout Winston-Salem.