Photo Coverage: Shades of Black Theatre Festival Mixer

More than 100 theatre professionals gathered Monday night, August 24, for the kick-off event for the fourth annual Shades of Black Theatre Festival. Nashville's Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, was the site for the Festival Mixer which opens the month-long event.

Seeking "to provide an artistic outlet to Nashville and surrounding cities, as well as to provide a platform for actors, directors, producers, writers and theatre enthusiasts to network and learn" is the purpose of the Festival, according to Mary McCallum of SistaStyle Productions.

The festival continues throughout September at Darkhorse Theatre. All shows are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. Show tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door. For reservations and information, call (615) 781-3904. For further information, visit the website at www.shadesofblackfestival.com

Among shows--in addition to workshops and lectures, a late-night stand-up comedy performance and a poetry jam--offered during the month-long festival, are:

August 28-30: Love Ballad, written by Michael L. Walker and directed by John B. Wiggins, presented by Dream 7 Theatre Productions.

September 4-6: Amazing Grace. Written by Shay Youngblood and directed by Kennth B. Dozier, presented by Nairobi Cafe.

September 10-12: Green Honey Love. Written by Gail Wynn Huland El and Directed by Mary McCallum, presented by SistaStyle Productions.

September 12 and 13: Extremities. Written by William Mastrosimone, directed by Shawn Whitsell, presented by SistaStyle Productions.

September 17-20: Ebony Dreams. Written and directed by Shawn Whitsell, presented by the Destiny Theatre Experience.

September 19: Words You Shouldn't Say to Brown Girls. Written, directed and performed by Melissa Gordon, presented by Tomboy in Chic Productions.

September 24-26: Split Second. Written by Dennis McIntire and directed by Eugenia J. Sweeney, presented by Collards & Caviar Theatre Productions.