Fade To Black: Week-Long Arts Festival Amplifies Black Voices in Houston

Lindsey Wilson·
HoustonTheater
·

At a time when many institutions are pulling away from telling diverse stories, Houston is proudly showing its support for the Black artistic community with the Fade To Black Festival. This week-long summer celebration highlights and elevates Black voices, transforming downtown Houston into a hub of Black artistry from June 8-14.

“A few years ago, I had returned from the International Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina and thought, ‘Why is there nothing like this in Houston? Has there ever been anything like this in the state of Texas?’” asks playwright S. Denise O’Neal, who also directs the nonprofit theater company Shabach Enterprise.

In 2013, her organization premiered the first iteration of Fade To Black as a play festival in the 80-seat Obsidian Theater (at the time called Obsidian Art Space). The idea kept growing, both in ambition and in venue, over the next decade until it fully expanded in 2023 to also encompass film, music, and poetry.

So how exactly does this leap from 80 seats to a citywide network of 15 venues and 60 performances happen? Besides tenacity and determination from O’Neal and her team, it’s all down to the collaboration at the festival’s heart.

“It’s the major arts organizations that have the financial ability to hire more Black artists, but in turn I know it’s a struggle for them to attract Black and BIPOC patrons,” O’Neal says. “What if everyone paired up under one umbrella and then shared the audiences? They provide some sort of performance, and we provide our network.”

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts was the first to attach its big name (and this year serves as the kick-off sponsor). Others soon followed, including the Alley Theatre, Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, Stages, and MATCH Houston. The Ensemble Theatre, Houston’s only major Black theater, has taken charge of the play festival component, whittling 40 submissions down to the 10 that will receive full-length readings.

It’s only fitting that an event of this scale would attract some of the most influential figures in the industry. This year, the festival is honored to have Tony Award-winning actor and director Phylicia Rashad as its official ambassador. Major talents such as ballerina Lauren Anderson, the first Black principal dancer at Houston Ballet; Se7en The Poet; and actors Jason Dirden and Malik Yoba will also bring their expertise and star power to the week, offering guidance, performances, and masterclasses.

One of the festival’s most profound contributions is this emphasis on mentorship and education. For years, Houston has struggled to retain its Black creative talent, with many artists leaving in search of better opportunities. O’Neal is determined to change that. A youth program at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts will give young creatives access to industry professionals, helping them build a future in the arts. Beyond performances and workshops, the festival will offer financial literacy classes, career development sessions, and even health screenings, ensuring that artists are empowered on multiple levels.

This festival is not just about celebrating talent—it’s about shifting perceptions and rewriting the narrative. Timed to lead into Houston’s Juneteenth celebrations, Fade To Black is positioned as a major cultural event that will draw visitors from across the country. Local businesses, hotels, and restaurants are collaborating to create an immersive experience where attendees can engage with Black art at every turn. From exhibits at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to morning yoga and Zumba sessions, every element has been thoughtfully curated to make this a truly citywide celebration.

Funding such an ambitious festival has been no small feat. While they have secured major grants and sponsorships from organizations like Comerica Bank, H-E-B, and the National Endowment for the Arts, O’Neal and her team continue to push for additional funding to ensure that the artists are fairly compensated and that marketing efforts reach the widest audience possible.

Because Fade To Black is more than a festival—it’s a statement. It challenges the systemic barriers that have historically limited opportunities for Black artists and offers a space where their stories can be told on their own terms. In a world where the tide of representation is constantly shifting, this festival stands firm in its mission to provide a lasting platform for Black creatives.

O’Neal believes in the power of this festival to change lives. “This is a catalyst for bigger and better things,” she says, and as Houston prepares to fade to black for a week of powerful storytelling, the city’s artistic future has never looked brighter.

—LINDSEY WILSON

Lindsey Wilson

Lindsey Wilson is a Dallas-based arts writer and critic with a journalism master's from Syracuse University and an undying love for chips and salsa. When not at the theater (which is rare), she enjoys reading, playing with her dogs, and traveling. Photo by Jeffrey Hummel.