WS Chronicle

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The North Carolina Black Repertory Company’s Board of Directors has announced the appointment of award-winning director, playwright, actor, and novelist Jackie Alexander as the Theatre’s new Artistic Director. He succeeds Mabel Robinson who retired in December 2015.

Alexander’s relationship with NCBRC began in 2005 when he directed John Shévin Foster’s “Plenty of Time” at The National Black Theatre Festival. He went on to direct productions at the 2009, 2011, and 2015 festivals, as well as directing and producing his play, the “High Priestess of Dark Alley,” for NCBRC in 2010. Alexander served as Artistic Director for the legendary Billie Holiday Theatre in New York from 2013-2015. During his tenure, BHT was awarded a prestigious Mellon Grant, the first private funding awarded to the theatre in over 30 years, and was nominated for an astounding 17 AUDELCO awards for excellence in Black Theatre, taking home the top prize nine times.

The author of six plays, Alexander’s work has been produced off-Broadway and regionally throughout the country. The Billie Holiday Theatre dedicated an entire season to his work by commissioning him to write three new plays for their 2010-2011 season, the only playwright in the Theatre’s 44-year history to receive such an honor. As a filmmaker, Alexander’s debut film “Joy” was honored with a Best Feature Film Award by The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and his debut novel, “Our Daily Bread,” was published by Turner Publishing in the fall of 2012.

Board President Sylvia Sprinkle -Hamlin is thrilled to have Alexander on board, stating: “Mr. Alexander brings a wealth of experience as an Artistic Director, playwright, author, actor and filmmaker. We look forward to Mr. Alexander continuing the excellent artistic reputation for which the company is nationally noted.”

As Artistic Director, Alexander will focus on expanding programming at NCBRC with work that is both artistically challenging and socially conscious, while building upon the rich legacy of the company’s world renowned National Black Theatre Festival. Alexander will also look to widen NCBRC’s audience base by producing work that cuts across cultural, economic, and generational divides. He notes, “Winston-Salem has a large faith-based community, and is The City of Arts and Innovation. With our 2016-2017 season, NCBRC hopes to find common ground between these two bedrocks.”

NCBRC’s 2016-2017 theatre season will be announced July 15, 2016.