Barter Theatre’s Black Stories Black Voices program seeks to tell Black stories and amplify Black voices through the power and beauty of artistic disciplines. Through plays, readings, and community engagement events, we hope to bring folks together while shining a light on the vast array of experiences and cultures that make up the Appalachia we all know and love.
BSBV EVENTS & GALLERY
FREE BSBV Reading
Faster Than The Speed of Race by Russel Nichols*
Sunday, October 19th, 7:30pm at Barter’s Smith Theatre
Faster Than the Speed of Race is a high-speed ride — one act, no brakes — through the life of NASCAR legend Wendell Scott. With his loyal crew and beloved stock car, Baby Blue, Scott races against reckless engines and the relentless injustices of Jim Crow to become the first Black man to claim victory at NASCAR’s highest level. More than a sports story, this play is about one man’s unstoppable drive to break barriers before they could break him.
Seats will be given on a first come first served basis. Click here to RSVP.
* Russell Nichols is an award-winning speculative fiction writer, internationally produced playwright, poet, and journalist. His plays — which revolve around concepts of race, technology, masculinity, and existentialism — have been produced by Nylon Fusion, the Fade to Black Festival, the UK’s Science Fiction Theatre, and others. Raised in Richmond, California, he got rid of all his stuff in 2011 to live out of a backpack with his wife, vagabonding around the world ever since. Look for him at russellnichols.com.
SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories (Spring 2025)
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION Community Event (Summer 2024)
SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories (Spring 2024)
BSBV SUBMISSIONS
Monologue Submission Guidelines
- Playwright must be Black.
- Monologues must be set in Appalachia. (Click Here list of qualifying states/counties as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission)
-
Monologues must be 3-5 minutes in length.
- Monologues must be unpublished and not have had a professional production.
- Monologues must be submitted electronically.
2-3 monologues will be selected to be performed at our 5th Annual SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories in 2026.
Submission Deadline: November 15th 2025
Please submit monologues to: bsbv@bartertheatre.com
Full Length Play Submission Guidelines
- Playwright must be Black.
- Plays must be written by an Appalachian playwright or the plays must be set in the Appalachian Region. (Click here for list of qualifying states/counties as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission.)
- Plays must be full length.
- Plays must be unpublished and not have had a professional production.
- Plays must be submitted electronically.
Deadline for 2025 Submissions: CLOSED
Please submit plays to: bsbv@bartertheatre.com
