The International Black Theatre Festival announces celebrity co-chairs for 2026
The sea of purple and black filled the Gallery Ballroom of the Benton Convention Center on Monday, June 1, when the International Black Theatre Festival introduced the festival’s co-chairs, officially launching the 2026 festival. The festival will take place July 27-Aug. 1 on stages around Winston-Salem.
The festival will host over 100 productions, plus workshops, staged readings, panels and conversations with artists and industry leaders, youth and student programming, the International Vendor’s Market, comedy shows, the Midnight Poetry Jam, daily film screenings, and other events.
Brian McLaughlin, media relations director for the IBTF, welcomed everyone to the event. Dr. Eric Sadler, NC Black Rep board chair, and Jackie Alexander, NC Black Rep artistic director and executive producer of the IBTF, offered opening remarks. What the attendees were eagerly awaiting was the introduction of the festival’s co-chairs.
Chelsea Gabrielle Rose and Brandon Criswell, representing Mable P. Robinson Emerging Artists, introduced Angela Robinson and Peter Parros to loud applause and enthusiastic cheers. They are best known for their starring roles on Tyler Perry’s hit series, “The Haves and the Have Nots,” for eight years, 2013-2021, on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN TV). They reprised a scene from the show where the two were in an argument, with Angela getting the upper hand to the delight of the audience.
Robinson has appeared on Broadway in “The Color Purple” as Shug Avery, as well as in “Wonderful Town Bells Are Ringing” and “Play On!” She also toured with “The Wizard of Oz” and “Dreamgirls.”
Peter Parros’s career spans television, film and theatre. He has appeared in the popular series “Knight Rider,” “The New Adam-12,” “Law & Order,” and “Family Man,” along with guest appearances in numerous other shows. He is also a writer for television and film and the Christian comic book series “Kidz of the King Adventures.”
There was a montage of Main Stage shows, followed by Dr. Elwanda Ingram and Wende Walker’s overview of the upcoming performances. From drama to musicals, to late night poetry and comedy shows, there is truly something for everyone at this year’s festival.
Financial support for the festival is of the utmost importance, as Mayor Allen Joines and Chris Leake, festival fundraising co-chairs, stressed in their presentation. They are well on their way to securing $1.2 million in sponsorship support, including a $200,000 directed grant from the N.C. General Assembly to the City of Winston-Salem to support the festival. The festival has an estimated economic impact for the Winston-Salem area of $13 million.
Other speakers were: DD Adams, mayor pro tempore, who encouraged everyone to buy tickets and to call their relatives and friends to encourage them to come to the festival; Shannon B. Henry, president and CEO of The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County; Stephanie Pace Brown, president of Visit Winston-Salem; Grant Minnix, director of operations of the Benton Convention Center; Renita Brewington, NC Black Rep board; Brittany Giles-Jones, managing director, NC Black Rep; and Nora Baker, NC Black Rep board.
To bring the event to an electric close, Chelsea Gabrielle Rose performed “I got Love” from “Purlie,” bringing the audience to their feet in appreciation.
Brian McLaughlin offered closing remarks, saying that for anyone attending the festival for the first time, it was hard to explain what to expect. “You have to experience the festival to know what it is. It is magic.”
The festival begins on Monday, July 27, with the Opening Night Gala which will be held at the Benton Convention Center, Salem Ballroom. Tickets are on sale now and will likely sell out quickly.
For a schedule of events and to purchase tickets, please visit www.ncblackrep.org.