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. 

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
2008
Honorary Chair:  Judi Ann Mason, Writer/Producer
National Honoree:  Douglas Turner Ward, Co-Founder Negro Ensemble Company
Regional Honoree: Gloria Gipson, Founder Theatre of the Performing Arts