The first National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) concluded on August 20, 1989, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded by the late Larry Leon Hamlin, the festival was created to celebrate and showcase the work of Black theater artists from across the United States and beyond.
The inaugural festival was a huge success, attracting thousands of attendees and featuring performances from renowned Black theater companies and artists. It has since become a biennial event, drawing national and international attention while continuing to highlight the richness of Black theater.
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