Atlanta Black Theatre Festival











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(Photo: ShowGuide Magazine Cover of Melba Moore @ the ABTF) 

The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, popularly known as the festival of "40 plays in four days", is the largest festival in the nation solely devoted to presenting all genres of Afro-centric theatre under one roof!  

Recently named among the "Best Fall Festivals" by MyAJC.com and "Can't Miss Fall Festivals" by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.Atlanta.net), the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is sure to become one of your favorite things to do in Atlanta! 

Whether you're a fan of Tyler Perry, August Wilson or you just love a great art festival, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival has something for you!

Main Event: October 3-6, 2018

Our popular Readers' Theatre Series features original works from the minds of some of the most prolific wordsmiths of our time!  Writers have a rare opportunity to test or share original content for live theatre and digital platforms.  Each reading is followed by a "talk back" where the audience gets to participate in the play development process!  

Main Event: October  3-6, 2018 

Get off that hamster wheel and get on the inside track to discover how you can make your mark in the entertainment industry!

Creative Connections for Artists is a  unique platform that intimately connects aspiring artists with influential entertainment industry experts, professors, and award-winning artists! Get mentored and coached by those who have paved the way as they pass on the best practices for navigating your creative career. 

Main Event: October  3-5, 2018 

Experience our version of "Black Friday"!  Economic viability is a crucial pillar to building community. Our International Art and Vendors' Market connects you with proprietors that offer a unique selection of fine and wearable art.  Start your holiday shopping early while keeping community based businesses in the "black"!

Main Event: October 3-6, 2018

Spend one or all four power packed days immersed in an incredible black theatre and artistic experience including live performances, staged readings, panels, fine art, shopping and more! Cited among the most popular Atlanta festivals, this star studded event closes with a Gala that includes a critically acclaimed performance and tribute to a celebrity legendary artist who's paved the way for the next generation. This red carpet event is immediately followed by the reveal of the Festival Favorite Award winners and a VIP After Glow!

This year's theme: "Black is Beautiful" is perfect for natives and tourists looking for extraordinary and new things to do in Atlanta!

Closing Event: October 6, 2018 

We're reaching our youth... 

Internships: We collaborate with universities like South Carolina State and Georgia State, to provide hands on experiences to the next generation of African-American students seeking opportunities in creative careers. 

Student Performances: pARTnerships with members of our corporation community, like  PNC Bank, allow us to present thought provoking dramatic inspiration to students in public schools, private and charter schools.

S.T.A.R.T. for Teens:  A summer camp that provides educational and internship training for teens interested in creative careers in theatre and the digital arts (tv film).  Enrolling now!

This year, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is expanding the platform to provide opporutunities for self-published authors! We've partnered with Divine Garden Press, LLC a black owned publishing firm to expand and enterain your literary palette by connecting you with community griots. The Author's Cafe will give you an opportunity engage with phenomenal authors who dare to share their stories. The book signings are free and open to the public with registration (due to limited seating). Passholders do NOT need to register for this event. Come and join  the fun as these seasoned and aspiring authors introduce their new works.  

Main Event: October  3-6, 2018

Getting our best work to the community is what we do best. Come see the latest curated exhibition of artists we believe deserve a "chance" to share their own stories with visual arts. 

Gallery talks are at designated times. This event is free and open to the public with registration (due to limited space). Passholders do NOT need to register for this event.

Main Event: October 3-6, 2018

Pre-festival Event!

The nation's only Afro-centric play festival promoting positive images through the arts for youth age 5-12!  Ideal for youth groups or family fun, the  Black History PlayFest kicks off with an exciting workshop entitled "Speak Up, Your Voice Matters" promoting speaking and acting skills with theatre games. Each child has a chance to win amazing prizes and gifts. This memorable day is filled with high energy and excitement. It ends with a "fun-tastic" family production! 

Fulton County West End Performing Arts Center 

945 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd

Atlanta, GA 30310

Pre-festival Event: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018