Stage
Spec
THE NATION,
FESTIVAL IS B/
Downtown Winstoi
Salem and the N
Black Theatre Fe:
go back a long v\
The bi-annual celebration
Black theater celebrates its 2
anniversary this year and, on
again, many of the festival's r
significant events will
take place down
town. Opening cer
emonies were held
at the M.C. Benton
Convention Center,
with a celebrity recep
tion following at the
Downtown Marriott.
Some of the venues
for the plays and
films this year include
the Stevens Center,
Winston-Salem State
University, the University
of North Carolina School of t
and Salem College
? .. i r-?
f
North Carolina BiacK nep
Co. executive director Gerry
began working with NBTF as
unteer in 1 995, before workii
way up to her current posrtio
says that each year the festK
stronger due to the commitn
and passion of those involve
"When you look at Broad
and you look at the shows, t
not that marry great plays ab
black experience. So the qu
Journal photo by J?on??r Rotenlwt '
North Carolina Black Repertory Co.
executive director Gerry Patton
(inset) says that there will be a spe
cial tribute to the company's original
founder, the late Larry Leon Hamln
(above).