June 12-21, 2026
Dallas, TX- South Dallas Cultural Center
Soul Rep Theatre Company proudly presents its biennial TED SHINE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, a cornerstone of the company’s commitment to nurturing Black playwrights and advancing new work. Presented in honor of the legendary playwright Ted Shine, who called Dallas home and served as a mentor and college professor to several Soul Rep company members, the festival is both a tribute and a call forward.
As part of Soul Rep’s 30th Anniversary Season, this year’s festival embraces the theme of “Sankofa”—a word from the Akan language of Ghana meaning “to go back and get it.” Sankofa reflects Soul Rep’s journey forward by reclaiming, honoring, and learning from its rich artistic past while uplifting the next generation of storytellers.
The festival will showcase a curated selection of favorite original short plays previously produced by Soul Rep, alongside two to three new works by emerging young playwrights attending a Historically Black College or University. Together, these works reflect a vibrant continuum of Black theatrical expression—bridging legacy, innovation, and lived experience.
Rooted in mentorship, education, and artistic risk-taking, the TED SHINE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL embodies Soul Rep’s mission to protect and progress the Black Theatre experience. It is a space where bold ideas are tested, new voices are amplified, and the future of Black storytelling is shaped—by remembering where we’ve been and imagining where we’re going.
June 1-12 9am-4pm ( Before and After Camp Drop Off Availble)
South Dallas Cultural Center
Registration $50 (Need Based Scholarships Available)
Camp Fee: FREE
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