Gantt Center Joins Forces With NC Black Repertory Company To Bring Critically-Acclaimed Plays To Charlotte

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture announced today that it has partnered with the North Carolina Black Repertory Company to bring nationally acclaimed playwright Jackie Alexander's play, The Legend of Buster Neal to Charlotte. The Legend of Buster Neal runs October 13-14, 2017 at Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (in Founders Hall), 130 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina with two showings - Saturday, October 13 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 14 at 8:00 p.m.

The North Carolina Black Repertory Company, founded by the late Larry Leon Hamlin, is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and produces the internationally recognized National Black Theatre Festival, held biennially. The Legend of Buster Neal is a powerful, multi-generational family drama that delves into the definition of manhood from an African-American perspective and examines legacy, friendship and fatherhood.

"This partnership has been a long time coming," said Gantt Center President & CEO David Taylor. "The opportunity to connect our two cities through theatre and to showcase the acclaimed performances from the National Black Theatre Festival here in Charlotte, made it an easy decision. The Gantt Center celebrates the excellence of art, history and culture of the African diaspora in all its forms. This play presents a timely message about family, community and the generational gaps that can lead to a loss of unity and identity."

The play, set in Louisiana, follows a fearless civil rights activist who reappears 60 years after his presumed death to face his greatest challenge: his great-great grandson. The Legend of Buster Neal tells the story of four generations of African-American men and the challenges each faced. For more information, visit ganttcenter.org.

ABOUT HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is a multi-disciplinary arts institution located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1974, the Gantt Center's mission is to present, preserve and celebrate excellence in the art, history and culture of African-Americans and those of African descent through dance, music, visual and literary arts, film, educational programs, theatre productions and community outreach. The Gantt Center features fine art exhibits from around the world and is home to the nationally celebrated John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art, which was generously donated by Bank of America, and is accessible online.

Named for Charlotte civic leader and former mayor Harvey Bernard Gantt, the Gantt Center is housed in an inspired and distinguished award-winning structure designed by architect Philip Freelon, co-designer of the new Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture. For more information about the Gantt Center, visit ganttcenter.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA BLACK REPERTORY COMPANY

Producers of the National Black Theatre Festival and founded in 1979 by Larry Leon Hamlin, the North Carolina Black Repertory Company (NCBRC) is the first professional Black theatre company in North Carolina. NCBRC is committed to exposing diverse audiences to Black classics, the development and production of new works, improving artistic quality, and sustaining Black theatre internationally. This continues to be the benchmark by which all projects are measured. Further, NCBRC was founded as a vehicle from which theatre professionals can earn a living through their craft.

The Company is universally recognized for its artistic and administrative achievements and its international outreach program, the National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF).

ABOUT Jackie Alexander

A native of New Orleans, Jackie Alexander is an award winning actor, writer, producer, director, former Artistic Director of The Billie Holiday Theatre, and current Artistic Director of The North Carolina Black Repertory Company, producers of The National Black Theatre Festival. His debut feature film Joy, on which he served as actor, writer, and director was awarded Best Feature Film by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. The film also earned Best Actor and Best Screenplay honors for Jackie on the festival circuit. Jackie's debut novel, Our Daily Bread, was published by Turner Publishing in the fall of 2012.