INTERNATIONAL BLACK
THEATRE FESTIVAL MEDIA

As Media Relations Director, Brian McLaughlin oversees all media coverage of the International Black Theatre Festival (IBTF) and media-related issues. He is responsible for articles on the Festival appearing in such news outlets as The New York Times, USA Today, BET, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox News, along with other national and regional outlets. Brian and his staff are eager to help those journalists covering the Festival get the most out of their visit.

IBTF is an international media event. And we welcome media coverage from reputable media organizations. If you are a working journalist and wish to cover the IBTF, you must complete a Media Credential Request Form and return the completed form to the Media Relations Department no later than 30 days prior to the opening of the Festival.

The media form will be available June, 2024.

MEDIA ACCESS FORM COMING SOON

Frequently Asked Questions

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Who can cover the Festival?

Working journalists for television, radio, print and online publications. Request must accompany a supervisor or news director’s signature.

How do I use my media credential to cover the IBTF?

A media credential will allow the journalist to attend any show throughout the festival for news coverage or reviews only. All media representatives must have a ticket to enter the theatre. You must obtain your ticket at our satellite box office at the Benton Convention Center located at 301 West Fifth Street. We suggest choosing all of your shows for the week. This will allow you to complete your ticket order form and pick up all your tickets during one visit. Ticket order forms may be found at the box office and also at the on-site Media Relations office located in the Corpening room in the Marriott. You will be given your complimentary ticket (s) once you present your Media credential. Your credential does not admit you to a sold-out performance. The credential is non-transferable. Media representatives must arrive at least 10 minutes before the show begins. We ask for you to arrive 30 minutes early if camera set up is needed. Festival management reserves the right to revoke credential. Violation of procedures may result in revocation.

Can I video or audio record performances?

If you are approved for recording a performance for your story, you may only record the first 10 minutes of any given performance. This is based on approval from the media relations department and or the artist.

What if I want to interview a particular celebrity?

All requests for celebrity interviews must be made through the media relations department. Media representatives will be on hand to assist with scheduling those interviews. A separate interview room will be provided for those interviews.

Are there scheduled media events?

The week-long festival is full of media events. The opening celebrity news conference happens at the start of the festival on that Monday at 12 noon. This is held in the main lobby of our host hotel, the Marriott. There is a daily news conference at noon in the same location through Thursday (times may change).