On Holy Ground

• The National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) was created in 1989 by Larry Leon Hamlin, founder of North Carolina Black Repertory Company (NC Black Rep) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. NC Black Rep hosts this festival every two years.

• Hamlin's goal in creating the festival was "to unite black theatre companies in America to ensure the survival of the genre into the next millennium." He coined the word "Marvtastic" (marvelous + fantastic) to describe the festival, meaning "there is nothing greater or better than."

• The festival just celebrated its 30th anniversary.

• The festival regularly draws an audience of approximately 60,000 to Winston-Salem. It includes theatrical performances, readings of new works, a poetry slam, and workshops and seminars.

• Guests, co-chairs, and speakers have included celebrities such as Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, Ruby Dee, and Ossie Davis. The festival is regularly a star-studded event.

• The next festival will be held from August 2-7, 2021.

• The book's preface will be by Jackie Alexander, Artistic Director of The North Carolina Black Repertory Company.

• Looking for Leroy by Larry Muhammad was produced at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2019.
• Berta, Berta by Angelica Chriwas produced at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2019.
• Berta, Berta premiered in the 2018 Contemporary American Theatre Festival in Shepherdstown, WV.

Maid's Door by Cheryl Davis was produced at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2017.

• Maid's Door premiered at the Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn in 2014.
• Maid's Door was a finalist for the 2017 Francesca Primus Prize. It was the winner of Best Play at the 2014 Audelco Awards.