SistaStyle Productions and Destiny Theatre Experience are pleased to announce the Annual Shades of Black Theatre Festival, which will run at the Darkhorse Theater, August 31st – September 27th. In addition to full – length shows, the festival will also feature an opening mixer, staged readings, dance show, films, workshops, and other special events. The purpose of the Shades of Black Theatre Festival is to provide an outlet to uplift the voices of Black artists, while also being inclusive to artists of all backgrounds.
All Shades of Black events will be held at the Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37209, unless otherwise specified. Ticket prices to events vary. Event information can be found at the venue website: darkhorsetheater.com and the Shades of Black Theatre Festival Facebook page: Facebook.com/shadestheatrefest or on Instagram: @shadestheatrefestival.
Plan now for the following festival festivities:
Monday, August 31st, 6 pm, the annual OPENING MIXER, with food, drinks, and fellowship. Free and open to the public. One of my favorite annual events. Come meet and mingle with the actors, directors, playwrights and staff, and get the skinny on their productions.
Wednesday, September 2nd, 7:30 pm, enjoy An Afrofuturist Staged Reading by Maya Antoinette Riley of her play, “Alex and the Afronauts.” Desperate Earth refugees hijack a space shuttle, with eyes on a new home planet. But they’re pulled off – track when fugitive stowaways bring unwanted attention and a mysterious voice compels them. Free Admission (Suggested $10 donation).
Friday, September 4th & Thursday the 17th, 7:30 pm DESTINED BEYOND: An Immersive Theatre Journey; Created by Shawn Whitsell; Presented by Destiny Theatre Experience. As with a museum or art gallery, walk freely through the Darkhorse Theater into different worlds, inhabited by a variety of characters. These live exhibits cover a broad range of issues, ranging from the hilarious to the heart-wrenching. $20.
Saturday, September 5th, 7:30 pm 24 Hour Short Play Showcase, presented by Verge Theater Company and Destiny Theatre Experience. Five playwrights get 12 hours to write a play that will be staged by five directors 12 hours later. $10.
Sunday, September 6, 3 pm, “BAD FAITH” Documentary screening, 89 minutes, followed by Q&A. A powerful look at the corruption of Christianity by the Trump Regime. Co-Sponsored by Nashville Americans United for Separation of Church and State and Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. The Reverend Dr. William Barber II, co‑chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and other faith leaders warn that the implementation of Project 2025 has accelerated a full-scale assault on government — gutting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, tearing apart public education, social programs and health care, and purging federal workers to replace them with political loyalists. Admission is free (donations appreciated).
Saturday, September 12 & 19, Thursday, the 24th, 7:30 pm, “Barefoot in the Park” by Neil Simon; Presented by SistaStyle Productions. Newlyweds Corie and Paul are young, in love, and ready to begin their life together in their first apartment, but their tiny fifth – floor walk-up may be more than they bargained for! Corie is a free-spirited romantic who believes marriage should be an adventure, while Paul, a buttoned – up young attorney, is determined to make their new life together practical and respectable. Add Corie’s cautious mother and their eccentric, larger – than – life neighbor, and the newlyweds quickly discover that love, marriage, and family can be anything but predictable. Neil Simon’s beloved comedy celebrates love, family, friendship, and the hilarious realities of newlywed life. Sometimes, keeping a marriage together means learning to let go, laugh a little, and — quite literally — go barefoot in the park. $20.
Sunday, September 13th, 3 pm “C is for Courage” by Kimberly Quinnie. Fairfield, AL native playwright and freelance children’s author Kimberly Quinnie is the creator of Bobby Peter®, an energetic and adventurous six – year – old whose curiosity and courage inspire children to dream big. Through music, drama, storytelling, and laughter, Bobby Peter encourages young audiences to believe that God made them special, embrace kindness, and face every challenge with courage. First 25 guests receive a gift!
Donations at the door.
Friday, September 17th (7:30 pm) and Sunday the 20th (2 pm), “Kintsugi: Art of Scars” presented by Fred Fyre. A visually striking choreopoem blending spoken word, movement, and storytelling, Kintsugi: Art of Scars confronts the realities of assault and abuse experienced by so many — and journeys toward healing, resilience, and hope. Created by poet and performer Cameron L. Mitchell in collaboration with choreographer Thea Jones, this bold new work features powerful performances by Valencia Thompson, Kaliss Woodard, and Jaacalyn Davis. Together, these remarkable artists tell stories of surviving difficult memories, reclaiming their voices, and discovering beauty within emotional scars. Inspired by the centuries – old Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing broken pottery with gold to honor its fractures rather than hide them — this transformative performance invites audiences into a breathtaking Neo Tokyo Garden, where brokenness is not the end of the story, but the beginning of something beautiful. $20.
Friday, September 18th, 7:30 pm, Actin’ Up Media presents… The Poesy Lounge Live. Come for a night of spoken word, live music & comedy! $20.
Friday, September 25th, 7:30 pm Damien Horne and Destiny Theatre Experience present “A Nashville Story.” From sleeping on the streets to standing on some of the world’s biggest stages… this is “A Nashville Story.” Join Damien Horne for a dynamic one – man theatrical experience blending live music, humor, storytelling, and inspiration as he shares the incredible true story of the journey that brought him to Music City — and changed his life forever. It’s a story of faith, family, purpose, resilience, and the power of opportunity. Part concert. Part theater. Part testimony. Think Bluebird Café meets Broadway — with a whole lot of soul. Donations at the door.
Saturday, September 26th 7:30 pm & Sunday the 27th, 3:00 pm, “MILITANCY: The Rise and Fall of the Black Panther Party.” Written by Michael L. Walker, directed by Leonard Ledford III, presented by Actin Up Media. Join the celebration of the party’s founding 60th Anniversary. MILITANCY depicts the friendships, triumphs and trials of the Black Panther Party’s Mission City, CA chapter. $15.
