Black Theatre Network

06/15/2026

🎭✨ 40 Years of Excellence. One Unforgettable Celebration. ✨🎭

Join us as we honor four decades of artistry, advocacy, education, and community at the 40th Annual Black Theatre Network Conference!

This year’s theme, Bold. Thriving. Nexus., celebrates the powerful connections that have sustained and elevated Black theatre for generations.

📍 Winston-Salem, NC
📅 July 24–27, 2026

⏰ Don’t wait! The special BTN hotel rate at the Hawthorne Inn ends July 1, 2026. Secure your room today by calling 336-777-3000.

🔗 Conference registration and additional information: www.blacktheatrenetwork.org

06/11/2026

🎭✨ Join us in celebrating the recipients of the BTN S. Randolph Edmonds Scholars Award ✨🎭

Black Theatre Network is proud to recognize Damilola Adeleye Opeyemi and Giselle Nix for their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to advancing the future of Black theatre and storytelling.

These remarkable scholars represent the next generation of artists, educators, and changemakers whose work continues to inspire and strengthen our community.

👏🏾Congratulations to our 2026 Judy Dearing Award winners! We look forward to honoring them at the 40th Annual Black Theatre Network Conference in Winston-Salem, NC.

06/09/2026

🎭✨ Join us in celebrating excellence in theatre design and artistry! ✨🎭

Black Theatre Network is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2026 Judy Dearing Award:

🏆 Joseph Nelson
🏆 Räyya Gracy
🏆 Babatunde Adebisi

These outstanding emerging artists exemplify creativity, innovation, and a commitment to advancing the future of theatrical design and performance. Their achievements reflect the spirit of the Judy Dearing Award and the impact of Black artists across our industry.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s honorees, who will be formally recognized during the 40th Annual Black Theatre Network Conference as we celebrate 40 Years! 👏🏾 Leave a message of congratulations for our award winners below!

06/05/2026

📚✨ Be a part of Black Theatre Network history!

As we prepare to celebrate 40 years of excellence, impact, and community, BTN is seeking photos, stories, historical materials, and other content that helps tell the story of our legacy.

Selected submissions may be featured in our special 40th Anniversary Conference Booklet, created to honor the people, productions, and moments that have shaped BTN throughout the years.

📅 Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026
📧 Send materials to [email protected]
📌 Subject Line: PROGRAM CONTENT

Whether you’ve been part of BTN for decades or recently joined our family, your memories and contributions help preserve the rich history of Black theatre and the artists who continue to move it forward.

Help us celebrate the past, honor the present, and inspire the future. 🖤🎭

06/05/2026

🎁 Online Auction Donations Caption

✨ Help us celebrate 40 years of Black Theatre Network by contributing to our Online Auction! ✨

Do you have a unique item, experience, service, artwork, memorabilia, theatre tickets, gift cards, or other special treasures you’d like to donate? Your contribution can help support BTN’s mission while becoming part of an exciting conference tradition.

🗓️ Donation Deadline: July 1, 2026

To submit:
📸 Take photos of your item from multiple angles
📝 Include a brief description (50 words or less)
📧 Send your submission to [email protected]

Every donation helps strengthen the future of Black theatre through programming, advocacy, networking, and community building.

Thank you for helping us make our 40th Anniversary Conference one to remember! 🖤🎭

AuctionForACause

05/25/2026

🎭✨ Help us celebrate 40th anniversary at Black Theatre Network! ✨🎭

BTN is now accepting donations for our Silent Auction! We’re looking for unique items and experiences to help make this year’s conference unforgettable while supporting the future of Black theatre. 🖤

We welcome donations such as:
🎁 Gift baskets
🎨 Artwork & crafts
🎟️ Theatre tickets & experiences
💳 Gift cards
📚 Scripts & books
💍 Jewelry
…and other valuable items!

📅 Submission Deadline: July 1, 2026

To donate:
📸 Take a photo of your item and email it with a description to:
📧 [email protected]

Your generosity directly supports BTN programs, artists, and initiatives — and all donations are tax deductible!

Let’s continue building legacy together. 🫶🏾

05/23/2026

We are SO excited to announce Past President and current PR Chair, Chris Berry is riding from NYC ➡️ NC to help raise money for our 40th Anniversary Celebration! 🎭🎉

600 miles. One mission. Supporting BTN, Black artists, and the future of our community. 🖤

Help us reach our goal of raising $10K!
Donate using the link in our bio! 🙌🏾

05/23/2026

🎭To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Black Theatre Network, we are inviting BTN members to participate in the Challenge!🎭

🗓️: May 23, 2026 - June 30, 2026

⏰Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026
🎥HOW TO ENTER

Option 1:
Submit a 60-90 second video directly to email: [email protected]
Subject Line: “BTN Video Submission”

Please includes
- Your Name
- Where you are from

OR

Option 2:
Post a 60-90second video to Instagram or Facebook and:
- Tag
- Use the hashtag
- Repost the official BTN Conference Flyer

🎤VIDEO PROMPT IDEAS:
- Why is BTN meaningful to you?
- How has BTN impacted your artistic or professional journey?
- Favorite BTN memory or experience?
- What excites you most about celebrating 40 years of BTN?
- What does Black Theatre Network represent to you and your community?

📌OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Participants must be active BTN members
- Videos must be between 60-90 seconds
- One entry per participant
- Entries must be submitted by June 30, 2026 EST/ 4pm CST

🎉Winners will be announced Wednesday July 1, 2026!

05/11/2026

05/11/2026

🎭✨ The countdown begins…

In just 74 days, we’ll gather to celebrate 40 YEARS of Black Theatre excellence at the Black Theatre Network’s 40th Annual Conference! 🖤💫

This year’s theme — BOLD. THRIVING. NEXUS. — honors the legacy, brilliance, and future of Black artistry and storytelling across the globe. 🌍🎬🎶

Join us July 24–27, 2026 in Winston-Salem, NC for a weekend filled with connection, creativity, inspiration, and celebration! 👑🎭

Who’s ready for BTN 2026?! 🔥