TED SHINE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL Will Come to Soul Rep Theatre
The biennial festival takes place at South Dallas Cultural Center, featuring works by Chris Herod, Tyler Lang, and more
Soul Rep Theatre Company has announced the return of its biennial Ted Shine NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, taking place June 12–21, 2026 at the South Dallas Cultural Center. A cornerstone of the company's mission to nurture Black playwrights and advance new work, the festival honors the legacy of legendary playwright Ted Shine—an influential artist, educator, and mentor who called Dallas home.
Now a signature program of Soul Rep, the Ted Shine NEW PLAY FESTIVAL serves as both tribute and forward-looking platform—celebrating the past while investing in the future of Black theatre.
As part of Soul Rep's 30th Anniversary Season, this year's festival is guided by the theme of “Sankofa,” a word from the Akan language of Ghana meaning “to go back and get it.” This powerful concept reflects the festival's focus on reclaiming, honoring, and learning from the past while uplifting the next generation of storytellers. Through Sankofa, Soul Rep continues its commitment to bridging legacy and innovation in Black theatrical expression.
The 2026 festival will feature a dynamic lineup that celebrates both legacy and emerging voices, including:
Soul Rep Classics & Returning Works
- The Drums of My So Black Me by Chris Herod
- Communion by Anyika McMillan-Herod
- The House Special by Keith Price
- Father Brown by Chris Herod
New Voices & Emerging Playwrights
- Neither One of Us by Tyler Lang
- Capital by Emir Price
- Dearie by Olivia Lewiz
- Threat App by Cherie' Monique Williams
Together, these works create a vibrant continuum of storytelling that reflects the depth, diversity, and evolution of Black theatre—bridging past, present, and future through powerful, lived experiences.
Rooted in mentorship, education, and artistic exploration, the Ted Shine NEW PLAY FESTIVAL embodies Soul Rep's mission to protect and progress the Black Theatre experience. This year's festival is also being cultivated and produced in no small measure by a dynamic cohort of interns—artists and administrators who are currently attending or have recently graduated from several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as prestigious art schools and universities with strong arts programs. Their leadership and creative contributions reflect the very spirit of Sankofa—honoring what has come before while actively shaping what comes next.
It is a creative incubator where new ideas take shape, artists are cultivated, and audiences engage with stories that resonate across generations.
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