National Black Theatre Announces 2018 Artists For The L.A.B. Residency Program

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT)has selected the artists for The L.A.B. [Liberating Artistic Bravery] Residency Program, which is comprised of threesignature programs: I Am Soul Playwright Residency withDarrel Alejandro Holnes& Tracey Conyer Lee; Soul Producing Residency with Emana Rachelle; and NBT will be launching this year the Soul Directing Residency with Ebony Noelle Golden. Through The L.A.B., NBT is able to strengthen the artistic relationship between historic Black theatrical institutions and cutting edge artists and administrators. The goal of The L.A.B. is to help diversify the narratives and possibilities being developed and produced about Black lifestyle in American theatre.

"50 years ago our founder, Dr. Teer, had a vision and 50 years later, built on her unwavering investment into that vision, NBT sits at an exciting intersection. We are able to provide dynamic and necessary programing that deepens our investment into new cultural productions by Black artists." said NBT Artistic Director Jonathan McCrory."By launching the directing residency arm of The L.A.B., NBT has generated a program that reflects our core values. We want to generate a home for brave voices; one that sparks creative conversations and unleashes their artistic voices in order to find healing."

The L.A.B. [Liberating Artistic Bravery] Residency Program, is a creative laboratory for Black Artists that is dedicated to the acceleration and creation of innovative cultural production based on NBT's pedagogy. The L.A.B. is comprised of three residency programs. I Am Soul Playwright Residency is the only national theatrical program dedicated solely to the development of Black playwrights, with an institutional commitment to producing a workshop production.Each resident will receive the full support of NBT for an 18-month residency that will culminate with a new play produced in 2019. Darrel Alejandro Holnes &Tracey Conyer Lee were chosen to be the sixth year residents of the program after a competitive three month national selection process. Former recipients of this residency are:Dennis A. Allen II, Angelica Chéri, Nambi E. Kelley, Derek Lee McPhatter, Aurin Squire, and Mfoniso Udofia. The other current members of the residency are Eric Micha Holmes and Lee Edward Colston.

To help develop the next generation of cultural producers, NBT is excited to award Emana Rachelle with theSoul Producing Residency. This residency will bea 9-month residencysupporting an individual in understanding all the administrative needs and duties that come with producing in NYC. The residency will culminateina self produced one day event with the full support of NBT at the resident'sdisposal under the guidance ofthe ArtisticDirector. Former recipients of this residency are: Ngozi Anyanwu, Marie Cisco, andTola Ozim.

NBT is excited to launch this year the Soul Directing Residency with ourinaugural resident, Ebony Noelle Golden. Over 10 - 18 months, TheSoul Directing Residencyprovides exposure, real-time experience, and networks to a mid-career director. Directors will be given a mainstage slot within the season to develop a devised piece or direct an existing work.

On Monday, September 3, 2018these artists will officially start their respective residencies. Each will receive a commissioning fee, as well as administrative and dramaturgical support in the creation of their work.The L.A.B is being supported by the generosity of Time Warner Corporation. This year's playwrights are also being supported by the generosity of The Jerome Foundation.