Atlanta Black Theatre Festival
15th Anniversary Festival | Rise to the Rhythms
Spelman Community, you’re invited! Join us for the 15th Anniversary Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, taking place September 3–5, 2026, during Labor Day weekend. This year’s festival, “Rise to the Rhythms,” brings together an exciting lineup of theatrical performances, staged readings, film screenings, master classes, competitions and special events. The festival will take place across the Spelman College campus, featuring performances and programming at the Rockefeller Building, LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center, and Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts.
Schedule
Thursday, September 3
- 1 p.m. | When the Fence Falls by Erick Brooks – Special Legacy Matinee
- 3:30 p.m. | Dr. Doris Derby Collegiate Monologue Competition
- 5:15 p.m. | Single Black Female – HBCU Showcase featuring Spelman College
- 7 p.m. | Opening Kickback and Kocktails
Friday, September 4
- 11 a.m. | Master Class for Actors with Ms. Regina Taylor
- 12 p.m. | Maaynet’s Awakening by Ulysses B. Brown – Staged Reading
- 12:15 p.m. | OT by William Mack III – Staged Reading
- 1 p.m. | Short Film Series + Panel Discussion — Block I
- 1:15 p.m. | From Sundown to Sunrise by Janice Liddell | Staged Reading
- 1:30 p.m. | Un-tied by David Miles | Staged Reading
- 3 p.m. | Short Film Series + Panel Discussion — Block II
- 3:15 p.m. | If These Ta-Ta’s Could Talk by Rhonda Wilson | Staged Reading
- 5 p.m. | Short Film Series — Block III
- 5 p.m. | The Bridge Club by Jessica Wise | Staged Reading
- 6 p.m. | The Promise — HBCU Showcase featuring Claflin University
- 8 p.m. | Eclipsed by Danai Gurira | Main Stage
Saturday, September 5
- 11 a.m. | All Rise by Evan McCreary | Staged Reading
- 11:15 a.m. | Reclassified by Petula Caesar | Staged Reading
- 12 p.m. | Juliet & Romeo: A Street Saga — HBCU Showcase featuring Hampton University
- 12:35 p.m. | My Mother’s Boyfriend Is an Ass by Shashone Lambert Short | Staged Reading
- 1 p.m. | Transformed by Kim Nicole Reed Thomas | Staged Reading
- 2 p.m. | Black Girl Magic by Sharon Cook | Main Stage
- 4 p.m. | Echoes of Motown — HBCU Showcase featuring Morgan State University
- 7 p.m. | Exhibit, written and performed by Regina Taylor | Closing Performance
- 9 p.m. | ABTF Awards Ceremony Afterglow featuring Chocolate Box | Awards + Celebration
Festival Details
Festival Weekend: September 3–5, 2026 | Labor Day Weekend
Main Festival Campus: Spelman College | Rockefeller Building, LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center, and Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts.
Come experience the power of Black theater, film and storytelling and celebrate the artists, performers and cultural voices shaping the stage. Spelman community members are encouraged to attend and experience the festival throughout the weekend.