UNCSA students, alumni and faculty to participate in this year’s International Black Theatre Festival

Several UNCSA alumni and faculty members are in the cast of “Heritage” being presented during the festival. Drama faculty member Cliff Odle will play the role of Rev. L.T. Jackson and Filmmaking faculty member Melanie Matthews-Bates will play the role of Roberta. Drama alums in the cast include Jasmine Hurt (B.F.A. ’24) as Mahalia, Bailey James (B.F.A. ’23) as Young Stacy, Nic Brown (B.F.A. ’22) as Bishop and Nikyla Boxley (B.F.A. ’19) as Young Mahalia. The production is directed by H. Adam Harris.

The play takes place in a small storefront church in a rapidly changing neighborhood facing the threat of demolishment after their beloved pastor dies suddenly. After being away for many years, the preacher’s daughter Mahalia returns, reopening old wounds.

Drama alumna Devin Kessler (B.F.A. ’18) is a member of the cast of “I Am…a Shepherdess,” which is directed by Drama alumna Bianca Jones (High School ’98). The play is set at a wedding rehearsal where four women deal with an outside incident that threatens to tear them apart and they must confront what haunts them in order to heal each other. They navigate the trials and tribulations of being Black women in America, while finding humor and solace within the bonds of their sisterhood. 

“I Am…a Shepherdess” will run from Tuesday, July 30, through Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Wake Forest University Harold C. Tedford Mainstage at the Scales Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online.

Jones is also the director of the film "Mabel" screening for free on Wednesday, July 31, at 9:45 a.m., Friday, Aug. 2, at 11:45 a.m. and Saturday, Aug. 3, at 10:15 a.m. at a/perture cinema. The story is about Mabel Mercer, a black singer born to a teenage mother in Cardiff, Wales, whose captivating journey led her from Paris, where she sought refuge from the Nazis, to becoming a mesmerizing force in American music.

The short documentary film “We Are, Because We Were,” produced by the School of Filmmaking’s Media and Emerging Technology Lab (METL), will be screened as part of the festival. The film features the Winston-Salem African American Archive and its mission to preserve the history of the Black community in Winston-Salem. The production team, led by director Rodney Wilds, includes UNCSA Filmmaking students Joshua Robinson and Alexia Forsythe as producers, Ben Wanko as the cinematographer, Gavin Smith as the editor and Jason Leeper as the sound mixer. The free screening takes place on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 12:15 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 3, at 9:45 a.m. at a/perture cinema’s studio one downtown.

“The UNCSA School of Filmmaking is honored to partner with this team of talented storytellers to shine a light on the important work of the Winston-Salem African American Archive.” said Deborah LaVine, dean of the School of Filmmaking.

Screening immediately after “We Are, Because We Were” in the same time slots (Thursday, Aug. 1, at 12:15 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 3, at 9:45 a.m.) is the short film “Happy Hill: Stories From the Community,” also screening for free at a/perture cinema’s studio one. Alumnae Tiffany Luard (High School Drama ’04, B.F.A. Film ’08) and Tonya Sheffield (B.F.A. Film ’08) are the executive producers for “Happy Hill: Stories From the Community,” which features former residents of the historic Happy Hill community as they recount their experiences living in one of the earliest designated communities for people of color in Winston-Salem through footage captured using their smartphones.

“My time at UNCSA taught me the immense social impact of art. This year’s exhibit is an ongoing project that aims to uplift the historic Happy Hill community,” said Luard, who is also the director of the film. “Mentors like Dale Pollock and Julian Semilian shaped my understanding of art, ethics and storytelling. We extend our sincere gratitude to the International Black Theatre Festival for these cherished opportunities to showcase our work.”

Filmmaking alumna Moriah Hall Pulido (B.F.A. '18) is the producer of "Innovation Unveiled: Building a Better Tomorrow," which showcases the groundbreaking research and innovation at the nation’s HBCUs, focusing on the pivotal role of sustainable research infrastructure. It explores the inspiring journey of Barber Scotia College’s revival and the triumphs and challenges of HBCUs. The film will screen for free on Wednesday, July 31, at 10:15 a.m. and Friday, August 2, at 10:15 a.m. at a/perture cinema’s studio one.

Additionally, Filmmaking student Cameryn Chestnut was announced earlier as an SECU Public Fellows Intern who is working with the North Carolina Black Repertory Company this summer.

“It is truly inspiring to see our Filmmaking students working on impactful projects in the community while becoming experts in their craft,” added LaVine. “This opportunity to learn from other local creatives is truly one of a kind.”