The National Black Theatre: Institute for Action Arts

Applications are now open for NBT's Soul Producing Residency Program, a 10-month program designed to provide hands-on experience in the administrative requirements of producing a theatrical season in New York City. The resident is given the opportunity to take the lead in producing a project within that season to widen their professional training, skill sets, and confidence.

Apply today: https://bit.ly/4x8oquU

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Application Submission
June 4 - July 10, 2026

Panel Review Process
July 17 - July 31, 2026

Semi-Finalists Notified
August 3, 2026

Finalist Notified
August 7, 2026

Directing Residency Onboarding.
Sept 8 – 11, 2026

THE SOUL SERIES LAB (Liberating Artistic Bravery) is a contemporary laboratory for accelerating and creating innovative new work by cutting-edge artists rooted in NBT’s pedagogy.

A beautiful reminder that Black cultural leadership belongs in every room.

Thank you to Town & Country for featuring our CEO, Sade Lythcott, among the artists, visionaries, and changemakers shaping New York's cultural landscape. Featured in their celebration of one of the city's newest gathering spaces, Sade represents the enduring legacy and future forward vision of the National Black Theatre and American Theatre canon.

As we continue building toward our next chapter in Harlem and investing in Black artists, stories, and communities, we're grateful to see NBT's work recognized alongside the cultural conversations shaping our city.

Thank you, Town & Country, for shining a light on the leaders and institutions helping define what's next.

Credits:

Editor in Chief
Photographer
Stylist
Words
Hair (Audrey)
Makeup (Audrey)
Grooming (Groups)
Senior Features Director
Special projects Editor
Senior Entertainment Director
Visual Director
Production
Location

How do Black women survive systems built to break them?

Tomorrow night, after The Peculiar Patriot, Mariame Kaba and Dr. Topeka Sam join us for a conversation on sisterhood, survival, care, and what it means to hold each other through impossible systems.

How do Black women continue to carry communities, families, grief, and one another? What does care look like when the system fails?

This is more than a talkback. It’s a room you’ll want to experience together.

June 4 only. Tix start at $30 Get Tickets Here: https://bit.ly/4bmtzFH

Tickets are on sale now for Imitation of Life, a powerful new musical about identity, the American dream, and what we leave for future generations!

Imitation of Life, co-produced with The Shed, is a new musical with a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, music and lyrics by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner John Legend, and directed by Two-Time Tony Award Nominee Whitney White.

NOW 6 WEEKS!
November 21, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Playing at The Shed | 545 West 30th Street, NYC

Inspired by the 1933 best-selling novel by Fannie Hurst and the beloved 1934 and 1959 Universal films, Imitation of Life follows two single mothers, one Black and one White, as well as their daughters, who build a shared life while each strives for success and love in a society divided by race and class. Set across the vibrant backdrop of 1920s Atlantic City and 1930s New York, this new, profoundly moving musical explores themes of identity, the American Dream, and what we leave for future generations.

This limited engagement marks the first major step in nurturing and developing a new American musical. Imitation of Life will be performed with a full cast and live orchestra, in a staged presentation that prioritizes the primacy of the work itself. Audiences are invited to be present at the moment an important new musical begins.

Get Tickets Now: https://bit.ly/4ffumMq

The inaugural Founding Members Circle at National Black Theatre closes June 8 🖤

Join as a Founding Friend ($150) or Founding Supporter ($250) and unlock early ticket access, exclusive member gatherings, cultural experiences including early access to Imitation of Life with book by Two time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, music by Emmy, Oscar, Grammy and Tony award winner John Legend and directed by Two time Tony award nominee Whitney White before the general public.

Members are also invited to Founding Member Night at The Peculiar Patriot on Saturday, June 6 a special evening gathering in community around the 25th anniversary production written and performed by Liza Jessie Peterson and directed by Talvin Wilks.

Want even more access? Join at the $500 Founding Liberator level to unlock expanded cultural experiences, including guaranteed seats to American Sublime, a one night only event by Amy Sherald and directed by 2026 Tony Award nominee Zhailon Levingston (Cats: The Jellicle Ball).

Be the first. Join today: https://bit.ly/FMCsocials

Who decides who gets freedom? Unpacking The Complex: The Power Game.

Tomorrow afternoon, following The Peculiar Patriot, Judge Milton Tingling and Darlene Bruce join us for a live afterwords conversation on power, punishment, and who the system was built to protect.

Who really holds power in the justice system? Some decisions shape entire lives. Some systems were never designed equally.

Join the conversation. Tickets start at $30. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/4bmtzFH