MKE Black Theatre Festival announces full 2024 lineup

Black Arts MKE has announced the full 2024 MKE Black Theatre Festival schedule, set to run from August 7 to 25. The festival aims to showcase Black theatre and creative talent in its third year through performances and events.

The festival’s program includes three main stage productions: “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf,” “The Realness,” and “Stories About The Old Days.” Additional events will complement these performances, including a staged reading, an audition masterclass, and a youth and family night.

This year’s festival marks the beginning of Black Arts MKE’s 10th anniversary celebration. The organization plans to continue commemorating this milestone throughout the year, culminating in its inaugural gala on December 6, followed by the annual performance of “Black Nativity” by Langston Hughes.

Events will occur at several venues across Milwaukee, including the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Todd Wehr Theater, Studio 4A at Marcus Center, The Table, Alice’s Garden, Insomniac Studios, and HoneyBee Sage.

Black Arts MKE, the organization behind the festival, is a Black-led performing arts group focused on increasing the availability and quality of African American arts and culture. The festival receives support from several sponsors, including BMO Harris Bank, National Endowment for the Arts, Northwestern Mutual, Wisconsin Arts Board, and the United Performing Arts Fund.

Tickets for the main stage productions are currently available for purchase. Some events are free to attend, while others operate on a pay-what-you-can basis. Interested parties are encouraged to check the festival’s official website for detailed scheduling and ticket availability information.

2024 MKE Black Theatre Festival Lineup

• August 7, 6:30 p.m. at Alice’s Garden:
  Youth & Family Night, directed by Ashley S. Jordan
• August 8-25, 7:30 p.m. at Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall:
  “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf” by Ntozake Shange, directed by Linetta Alexander
• August 8-25, 7:30 p.m. at Todd Wehr Theater:
  “The Realness”, a break beat play by Idris Goodwin, directed by Denzel Taylor
• Special pre-performance event: Meet the Playwright Idris Goodwin, Opening Night on August 8 at 5:00pm
• August 12, 5:30 p.m. at Insomniac Studios:
  Open Audition Masterclass with Lori Woodall—Headshots for Emerging & Professional Actors, an Audition Workshop & Auditions for “In The Blood” by Suzan-Lori Parks
• August 15-17, 7:30 p.m. at The Table:
  “Stories About the Old Days” by Bill Harris, directed by Nic Starr & Sheri Williams Pannell in collaboration with Bronzeville Arts Ensemble
• August 19, 5:30 p.m. at Studio 4a Marcus Center:
  Auditions for “Black Nativity” by Langston Hughes
• August 20, 7:30 p.m. at The Table:
  A live reading of “In The Blood” by Suzan-Lori Parks directed by Lori Woodall (pay what you can)
• August 24, 4 p.m. at HoneyBee Sage:
  Poetry Set with The Jasmine Sims (Free to attend)