HISTORY
The Southern Black Theatre Festival (SBTF) is an outreach effort of Mahogany Ensemble Theatre (MET).  Mahogany Ensemble Theatre is the resident theatre of the M.E.C.C.A. Foundation, whose mission is to enlighten, enrich, and empower communities by presenting, producing, and promoting quality programs that preserve and advance the rich heritage of the cultural and performing arts traditions of people of African descent while expressing this proud legacy with all of humanity.  Mahogany Ensemble Theatre is the ONLY touring theatre company in North Louisiana.

Since 2003, MET has successfully provided quality mainstage, touring, social awareness, and children's theatre productions throughout communities in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. 

Inspired by the efforts of the National Black Theatre Festival and other regional festivals, SBTF became the brainchild of actress, director, speaker, model, creative educator, and MET founding artistic director, Angelique Feaster.  Her vision of celebrating the rich tradition of African American Theatre in the South while forging a regional collective of culture bearers committed to sustaining this theatrical genre came to fruition with the 2008 inaugural festival celebration.






FESTIVAL CHAIR & HONOREES

2010
2nd Biennial Festival
National Honoree:  Irma P. Hall, Stage/Television Actress, Artistic Director African-American Rep Theatre-DeSoto, TX
                            SBTF Judi Ann Mason Spirit of Creativity Award Recipient
National Honoree:  John O'neal, Actor/Activist, Founder Junebug Productions-New Orleans, LA
                            SBTF Living Legend Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Regional Honoree: Luther Cox, Dancer/Actor/Choreographer, Founder Inter City Row Modern Dance Company-Shreveport, LA

2009
Fest Series
Regional Honoree: Juanita Pierson, Founder Performing Arts Studio-Shreveport, LA
                           SBTF Trailblazer Award Recipient

2008
1st Biennial Festival
Honorary Chair:     Judi Ann Mason, Writer/Producer-Los Angeles, CA
                            SBTF Spirit of Creativity Award Recipient
National Honoree:  Douglas Turner Ward, Co-Founder Negro Ensemble Company-New York, NY
                            SBTF Living Legend Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Regional Honoree: Gloria Gipson, Founder Theatre of the Performing Arts-Shreveport, LA
                            SBTF Trailblazer Award Recipient