Experience electrifying Black theatre with over 120 theatrical performances across 20+ stages and venues. With a curated lineup of dramas, musicals, comedy, and solo performances, IBTF brings both timeless and emerging stories to the stage.

Tickets for mainstage productions will be announced and available to purchase starting June 1, 2026, on our website or by calling/visiting the IBTF Box Office, 336.723.2266, located at 419 North Spruce Street in Winston-Salem.

IBTF kicks off at the Benton Convention Center in an electrifying celebration of Black theatre, featuring a vibrant processional, special guests, and an awards presentation honoring outstanding industry and cultural talent.

Tickets for the 2026 Opening Night Gala will be announced and available to purchase starting June 1, 2026, on our website or by calling/visiting the IBTF Box Office, 336.723.2266, located at 419 North Spruce Street in Winston-Salem.

Kick off the 2026 International Black Theatre Festival in style! IBTF rolls out the purple carpet at the Benton Convention Center in a vibrant celebration of Black theatre!

Tickets go on sale June 1, 2026—plan ahead and secure your seat for this can’t-miss night

Where artisans, creators, and entrepreneurs from around the globe bring unique crafts, fashion, art, and handmade creations. The International Vendors Market is open daily during the festival at the Benton Convention Center.

The IBTF Film Festival is a celebration of storytelling through film. The festival features shorts, documentaries, and experimental works, showcasing bold and emerging voices in film.

Screening daily at a/perture cinema in downtown Winston-Salem. Admission is free and open to the public.

Led by industry professionals and artists, these sessions offer hands-on training, career insights, and opportunities to connect and learn.

Various workshops and seminars are held throughout the week at the Benton Convention Center, Marriott, and Embassy Suites in downtown Winston-Salem.

The Storytelling Festival at IBTF celebrates the power of spoken word and oral tradition. Featuring master storytellers from across the African Diaspora, this engaging series brings history, culture, humor, and lived experience to life through unforgettable stories that connect generations.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The IBTF Readers Theatre series shines a spotlight on the work of Black playwrights, where words meet performance and new stories take shape. These readings invite audiences into the creative process and celebrate the evolution of Black theatrical voices.

The Midnight Poetry Jam is a late-night celebration of spoken word, rhythm, and raw expression. Featuring poets from across the African Diaspora, this electric showcase blends poetry, music, and performance into an inspiring after-hours experience.

The National Youth Talent Showcase celebrates the creativity and brilliance of young artists from across the country. Featuring emerging performers in dance, music, spoken word, and more, the showcase highlights the next generation of performing artists.