NBT selects a cohort of early-career artists to participate in our residency programs. Dedicated to the pursuit of nurturing playwrights, launching directors, and guiding producers, we provide a creative home that accelerates the careers of these innovative storytellers.

Through the SOUL Series LAB (Liberating Artistic Bravery), NBT forges the artistic relationship between historically Black theatrical institutions and emerging artists. And since 2012, the program’s goal has been to diversify the narratives, points of access, and possibilities being developed and produced around the Black experience in American theatre.

offers a demanding yet stimulating environment for a Black director to build exposure, establish New York City credentials, and, above all, refine technical and creative skills. Each cycle is at least 18 months.

The Keep SOUL Alive Development Series is a 10-month-long commitment of the National Black Theatre to award a select group of playwrights, directors, and theatre-makers. The Series helps them to build characters, refine their storytelling, and explore new creative directions. Through the series it offers three different ways for NBT to invest in and engage artists in the creation of new works and ideas: one-day virtual readings that bring a playwright’s words to life with actors; three-day, in-person workshops that pair playwrights with actors and a director to test ideas and receive focused feedback; and intensive 29-hour workshops that support deeper collaboration among a playwright, director, and stage manager.

This development opportunity is a non-public-facing, intended to create a nurturing environment to strengthen and stretch the artist craft in a caring, productive environment.