Atlanta Black Theatre Festival











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The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, popularly known as the festival of "40 plays in four days", offers the nation's largest selection of world-class, 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! 

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!  

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!  It takes more than talent to make it in this industry. 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.

Market: 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"!

Exhibit: Getting our best work to the community is what we do best. Come see the latest curated exhibition of artists who'll to share their stories through visual arts. The 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.

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!

The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is proudly expanding the platform to provide opportunities for self-published authors! We've partnered with Divine Garden Press, LLC a black owned publishing firm to expand and entertain 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). Pass holders do NOT need to register for this event. Come and join  the fun as these seasoned and aspiring authors introduce their new works.  

The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival brings you the best of the fest with  ABTF Encore!  We select your Festival Favorite and bring it back for a full-run.   Dates: Jan. 24-27 and Feb. 1-2 in 2019

NEW! We're launching the most unique brand of comedy theatre ever seen in the A. The first show premieres on Oct. 6, 2018 during the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. We guarantee you'll laugh your way home. 

Reaching our youth... 

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. 

 The nation's only Afrocentric play festival solely devoted to promoting positive images through the arts.  Ideal for youth groups, reunions or family fun. This memorable event is filled with high energy and excitement! Date: TBA in 2019

Common Core Standards come alive at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival! Thanks to strong pARTnerships with corporations like  PNC Bank, we present curriculum centered, historically themed plays with socially responsible lessons to students in public, private, charter and home schools. 

S.T.A.R.T. TEEN CAMP:  A summer art and technology training camp that provides educational and internship training for teens interested in creative careers in theatre and the digital arts (tv, film).  Dates: June 25 -29, 2018 Enrolling now!