I worked again with BET as the stage manager for their annual Black Playwriting Festival (BPF), part of their Black Playwriting Initiative (BPI). The BPI helps black artists and playwrights develop their writing craft and stories through mentorship from Black Ensemble Theater's leadership staff. The BPF is a cultivation of the playwrights' work and gives the playwrights the opportunity to see their work onstage and read out loud. We develop "advanced stage-readings," with actors performing the playwrights' scripts while on book but with minimal scenic elements, costumes, and other tech elements to help heighten the performance. Many shows are also musicals and involve live performances with BET's resident musicians. All shows are directed by BET Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks, with rehearsals taking place during July-August and performances in August 2024. 

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This year, we had 4 different productions part of the festival. All shows rehearsed during the same few weeks, including music and tech rehearsals, with many actors working on multiple productions. This year featured stories about Herb Kent, Deniece Williams, and Bobby Womack, as well as a new game-show style musical. We had a lot of fun rehearsing and helping develop these shows and it is beautiful knowing that we ae all a small part of the show and playwrights' artistic journies.