From July 29th until August 2nd, 2b theatre company lead a ground-breaking initiative to take African Nova Scotian artists to The International Black Theatre Festival (IBTF) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The artists were featured presenters at the International Colloquium, providing a major platform for promoting artistic works and African Nova Scotian culture.

The delegation included Order of Canada recipient and Canadian Theatre icon Walter Borden, rising star in the Nova Scotia theatre scene Kiana Josette, powerhouse filmmaker and musician Keke Beats, 2b Associate Artistic Director Jacob Sampson, and 2b Artistic Director Christian Barry.
This biannual festival has over 60,000 attendees and the programming consists of more than 120 performances, an International Colloquium, a poetry slam, a film festival, various workshops and awards, as well as playing host to some of the biggest names in African American performing arts. The International Black Theatre Festival serves as a platform for African American theatre makers to gather, celebrate, and make connections.

“This initiative has been in the works for well over a year”, says 2b Associate Artistic Director, Jacob Sampson. “Five of 2b’s slate of upcoming shows are being developed and lead by African Nova Scotian artists or are focused on African Nova Scotian stories. The US has the oldest and most established Black theatres on the continent and this Festival provides a great opportunity to find new markets for these artists and their shows.”
2b Artistic Director Christian Barry adds: “We tour our shows around the world, and it’s important to us to make connections outside of our current networks to build something new. It is 2b’s hope that this is just the beginning of Nova Scotians having a regular presence at this festival.”
“Take a quick look at our history as Black Nova Scotians and immediately you will see a deep cultural, historical, and sometimes familial connection to this region of the United States” says Sampson. “We want to see African Nova Scotian artists and their works being presented and celebrated at this festival every time it happens which will help our local stories reach the world. Being formally programmed to take part in the Colloquium is just the first step.”
There will be public sharing sessions at 2b’s new Arts Hub home at Video Difference on Quinpool Road and at another satellite location. 2b would like to thank the Province of Nova Scotia for supporting this historic initiative, and Emera for supporting the creation of Associate Artistic Jacob Sampson’s position at 2b.
For more information, contact jacob@2btheatre.com