Editorial: Support NBTF as it provides health initiative
Winston-Salem is getting ready for the National Black Theater Festival next week, July 31-Aug. 5. Of course, this is the weeklong festival produced by the North Carolina Black Repertory Company that showcases black theater. It comes to Winston-Salem every two years.
People can expect some things to remain the same with the festival each time it comes, such as a chance to see stars and quality theatrical productions, a star-studded gala that features award-winners, various artistic-related workshops and vendors selling all kinds of goods.
Some things are new this year, such as the Jazz Festival sponsored by The Chronicle on Aug. 3.
But an important new thing this year should catch everyone’s attention: an initiative that will examine health disparities within the African-American community in the diagnosis and treatment of
Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. The initiative will include talk-backs after certain performances featuring doctors and caregivers, as well as breast cancer screenings, Alzheimer’s listening parties and medical consultations.
The N.C. Black Rep is presenting two plays at the festival that deal with those diseases. It presented the plays during its regular season, also.
“Maid’s Door” deals with Alzheimer’s disease, when an elderly woman who had been a maid shows signs of the disease. There will be a talk-back after the Wednesday, Aug. 2, 3 p.m. performance.
“The Sting of White Roses” deals with breast cancer, when a pregnant woman is diagnosed with the disease. There will be a talk-back after the Saturday, Aug. 5, 3 p.m. performance.
These two diseases greatly affect African-Americans, especially breast cancer.
An initiative-dedicated event will be Saturday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 Spruce St.
We applaud the N.C. Black Rep for uniting its productions to real-life helpful discussions and consultations. We should support the Black Rep in this health initiative, because we could be saving the lives of our loved ones, or even ourselves.
