Festival schedule

All performances will stream via YouTube and each night will begin with virtual opening ceremonies honoring the rich history and legacy of Black theater in the Twin Cities. Viewers can expect a dynamic and diverse showcase of theater, music, dance, poetry and spoken word. Closed captioning will be available. 

Hosting a watch party? Don’t forget to download these tips.

All start times are CDT. Some content may not be suitable for all ages.

Friday, May 21

7:30 p.m. | Blackness Is… Night One
Run time is approximately two hours.

  • Opening ceremony
  • Brownbody by Deneane Richburg/Brownbody
  • Over My Head by Averie Mitchell-Brown
  • Abiyamo (On Daughterhood) by Tolu Kehinde
  • With Love From Washington by Denzel Belin

ASL interpretation coming soon.

8:20 p.m. | Talkback with Deneane Richburg/Brownbody

Saturday, May 22

3–3:45 p.m. | Talkback: Tolu Kehinde

4–4:45 P.M. | Talkback: Averie Mitchell-Brown

5–6 p.m. | Workshop: SLAY! with Brian Bose

7:30 p.m. | Blackness Is… Night Two
Run time is approximately two hours.

  • Opening ceremony
  • DOOMSCROLL with MK & Tia! by Ricardo Beaird
  • Colors of Classical Music Throughout HERstory by Stephanie Henry
  • Zen Is In
  • Black Thread: A Tribute to Ann Lowe by Tiffany Cooper
  • 21st Century Bomberas by Tearra Oso

ASL interpretation coming soon.

Sunday, May 23

3:30–4:15 p.m. | Talkback: Ricardo Beaird

4:30–5:30 p.m. | Workshop: Costumes with Trevor Bowen

7 p.m. | Blackness Is… Night Three
Run time is approximately two hours.

  • Opening ceremony
  • Greenwood 1964 by Mohammed Ali Ojarigi
  • Still We Rise by Ashley DuBose
  • The Things That Bind by Nieya Amezquita
  • Moments to Arrive by Miko S. Simmons

ASL interpretation coming soon.