The International Black Theatre Festival is back in Winston-Salem!IBTF will celebrate its 37th year in Winston-Salem from July 27 to Aug. 1, bringing star-studded performances, tourism and a sea of black and purple to the city.The festival introduced celebrity co-chairs Angela Robinson and Peter Parros from Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and the Have-Nots” during the show unveiling event on Monday afternoon at the Benton Convention Center.The festival is often referred to in the arts community as “Black theatre Holy-ground.”Robinson wants everyone to really think about the deeper meaning of this phrase as we get closer to July.”I want us to not just use those words, but to understand that what you all are doing is a holy act,” Robinson said, “the theatre changes lives.””It’s a very special place, they really elevate our experience and our culture,” Parros said.The festival will feature more than 100 stage productions, readings, workshops, panels, and cultural experiences.The production line-up includes critically acclaimed works, like August Wilson’s “Fences,” which the North Carolina Black Repertory Company is producing.There will be performances from stars including Phylicia Rashad, from “The Cosby Show,” and Jimmy JJ Jeter, from “Hamilton.” Local Impact Mayor Allen Joines is on the fundraising committee for the IBTF, which has a goal of raising more than $1 million for the festival. City leaders are expecting about 35,000 attendees to flock to downtown this year, and more than $13 million in economic impact.This pot and the city leaders are excited for the festival’s projected economic impact on local businesses. “That’s money in the cash registers of our local businesses,” said Stephanie Pace Brown, president and CEO of Visit Winston-Salem.Pace Brown estimated that in 2024, during the last festival, it generated more than $3 million for the city in just one week.Pace Brown said, “We’re ready, we just need people to buy a ticket and come and join us.” The festival will take place from Monday, July 27, through Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.Tickets are now available for purchase. To read more about this year’s performance lineup, click here.
The International Black Theatre Festival is back in Winston-Salem!
IBTF will celebrate its 37th year in Winston-Salem from July 27 to Aug. 1, bringing star-studded performances, tourism and a sea of black and purple to the city.
The festival introduced celebrity co-chairs Angela Robinson and Peter Parros from Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and the Have-Nots” during the show unveiling event on Monday afternoon at the Benton Convention Center.
The festival is often referred to in the arts community as “Black theatre Holy-ground.”
Robinson wants everyone to really think about the deeper meaning of this phrase as we get closer to July.
“I want us to not just use those words, but to understand that what you all are doing is a holy act,” Robinson said, “the theatre changes lives.”
“It’s a very special place, they really elevate our experience and our culture,” Parros said.
The festival will feature more than 100 stage productions, readings, workshops, panels, and cultural experiences.
The production line-up includes critically acclaimed works, like August Wilson’s “Fences,” which the North Carolina Black Repertory Company is producing.
There will be performances from stars including Phylicia Rashad, from “The Cosby Show,” and Jimmy JJ Jeter, from “Hamilton.”
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Local Impact
Mayor Allen Joines is on the fundraising committee for the IBTF, which has a goal of raising more than $1 million for the festival.
City leaders are expecting about 35,000 attendees to flock to downtown this year, and more than $13 million in economic impact.
This pot and the city leaders are excited for the festival’s projected economic impact on local businesses.
“That’s money in the cash registers of our local businesses,” said Stephanie Pace Brown, president and CEO of Visit Winston-Salem.
Pace Brown estimated that in 2024, during the last festival, it generated more than $3 million for the city in just one week.
Pace Brown said, “We’re ready, we just need people to buy a ticket and come and join us.”
The festival will take place from Monday, July 27, through Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026.
Tickets are now available for purchase. To read more about this year’s performance lineup, click here.
