About Us
About the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival
The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival (ABTF) is a gathering of the world's preeminent theatre producers, writers, artists, and art lovers to celebrate creative works for and about the Black experience.
Each year we scour the globe to present a line-up of world-class performances, engaging panels, and poppin' parties. We celebrate our cultural heritage by presenting and preserving our stories in our own authentic voices.
"Where Black Theatre Thrives!"
We aim to create and expand opportunities for artists of color to affordably produce and present their work to thousands of theatre and art lovers in person and digitally.
Since 2012, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival has hosted over 3,000 artists via live and virtual events, entertaining and educating art enthusiasts from all over the world. Over 145 self-producing playwrights have found a platform to present their original works during close to 400 events.
Mission/Vision
Our mission is to provide opportunities for theatre and performing artists to develop, present, and preserve, in an authentic voice, multi-disciplinary art for and about the pan-African experience.
Our vision is to develop programs that provide safe and strong community connections as we discover, present, and preserve the true history and contributions of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) people to the arts and cultural landscape of our global civilization.
What Do They Say About the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival...
Highly regarded:
- "Top Theatre Festival to Visit Around the World" by TopTenZilla.com
- "Best Fall Festivals" by MyAJC.com
- "Can't Miss Fall Festivals" by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
- "5 Dope Events You Must Check Out in Atlanta" by Blavity.com
- "Best Family Friendly Festivals You Must Check Out this Fall" by 11alive.com
- "Top 5 Event Picks for October" by AtlantaMagazine.com
Our prime aim is to use the power of the arts to:
The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival's prime aim is to:
1. CHANGE the narrative by revealing the truth of our history and contributions to civilization;
2. ENGAGE, encourage, and enlighten the next generation;
3. BUILD a sustainable institution that preserves Black culture through theatre, literature, art, across the diaspora.
4. ENTERTAIN while creating whole and healthy communities.
Programs that Elevate Our Community
LIVE PERFORMANCES
CREATIVE ARTS CONFERENCE
LIVE PERFORMANCES
The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is a marathon of curated events that celebrate the contributions and cultural heritage of people from across the African diaspora. We support and promote artists that tell our stories.
STAGED READINGS
CREATIVE ARTS CONFERENCE
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Atlanta Black Theatre Festival's popular staged reading series features original works from the minds of some of the most prolific wordsmiths of our time! Writers have a rare opportunity to develop, test or share original content for live and digital platforms.
CREATIVE ARTS CONFERENCE
CREATIVE ARTS CONFERENCE
CREATIVE ARTS CONFERENCE
A conference that brings together the world's foremost innovative thinkers and creative entrepreneurs passionate about art and technology. This event includes staged readings, panel discussions, networking, master classes, live performances, and film screenings.
SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
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CREATIVE ARTS CONFERENCE
Bring Black History and the Common Core curriculum standards alive with historical-based themes and stories that celebrate our heroes and sheroes from the Civil War to Civil Rights. Virtual Field Trip: March 11, 2022
Harriet Tubman: A Bicentenial Theatrical Tribute
ART GALLERY/TALKS
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Each year the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is proud to present a prominent pioneer or introduce an emerging artist. Giving life to budding collectors and enthusiasts, ABTF Gallery Talks include tips on art investing, history, and art appreciation. The critically acclaimed Gilbert Young is regularly featured.
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This online course traces a writers' journey from written words to its realization on the theatrical stage, and finally, to its cinematic interpretation. Upon successful completion, the participant is awarded a certificate and priority placement in the ABTF Staged Reading Series.
COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS
MONOLOGUE COMPETITON
MONOLOGUE COMPETITON
The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival collaborates with universities to provide hands on experiences, workshops and master classes for the next generation of African-American students seeking opportunities in creative careers.
MONOLOGUE COMPETITON
MONOLOGUE COMPETITON
MONOLOGUE COMPETITON
Dr. Doris Derby Collegiate Monologue Competition (DCMC) is aimed to develop a formal pipeline to help facilitate supportive relationships with students and industry practitioners. We provide scholarships and mentoring to BIPOC students.
BLACK-EXPO MARKET
MONOLOGUE COMPETITON
BLACK-EXPO MARKET
Experience our version of "Black Friday"! Economic viability is a crucial pillar to building community. The ABTF Black-Expo Market and Art Gallery connects you with black owned businesses that offer a unique selection of visual, fine and wearable art.
BLACK THEATRE TV
BLACK THEATRE TV
BLACK-EXPO MARKET
Our NEW Black Theatre TV channel offers high-quality streaming entertainment for all audiences. Whether you're an independent artist looking for a professional streaming platform or you want to host private digital event for virtual field trip.? CONTACT US
ABTF TRAVELS
BLACK THEATRE TV
ABTF TRAVELS
ABTF Travels was launched in 2020 and hosts a delegation of artists and art enthusiasts for spectacularly immersive arts and cultural experiences abroad. These insider pilgrimages are so extraordinary, they sell out within weeks each year!
PODCAST/BLOG
BLACK THEATRE TV
ABTF TRAVELS
The producers of the ABTF are proud to present Black Family Table Talk. A "kitchen table style" podcast and blog created to candidly share and discover ways to build a strong family. We are the voice for Black families. Join the family...it's FREE!