Your Source for Black Theatre and Entertainment

Black Masks is a long-established Black theatre and entertainment magazine. Created in 1984, this publication has gained the support of both Black theater and entertainment practitioners and audiences. The founder and publishing editor is playwright Beth Turner.

Finishing its 40th year of publication, Black Masks will cease publishing in January 2026. The Winter 2026 commemorative issue will be the last issue to be published.

In the course of its 40 years of publishing Black Masks has had subscribers throughout the U.S., in Canada and in the Caribbean, and occasionally in Europe and Africa. It started out being published monthly, but in the last decade, it has been published quarterly. The magazine has featured articles on Black performing artists and Black arts groups, and overviews of important Black theatre and entertainment issues. Each edition also carries comprehensive listings of current U.S. and occasionally international Black theatre and entertainment events. The articles in Black Masks are based on original interviews and research. Print subscriptions for the Summer, Fall and Winter issues may still be purchased for only $22. Electronic subscriptions are $15.

Summer 2025

Tonya Pinkins: Gusto, Resilience, Perseverance

As evidenced by her outstanding performances in Jelly's Last Jam, and Caroline, or Change on Broad-way, and Hurt Village and Milk Like Sugar Off-Broadway, Tonya Pinkins overcomes her life's challenges to bring her full self and talent to her work, providing her audiences with transformative theatrical experiences.

Spring 2025

Theatre in His Bones: Wren T. Brown

Multi-hyphenate Wren T. Brown, an actor, director, and artistic director of Ebony Repertory Theatre (the only Black Equity company in Los Angeles), adds nonfiction writer to his credits with the publication of his book about his family's four-generation legacy in entertainment.

Winter 2025

K. Zaheerah Sultan: Black Theatre Pathfinder

Black Theatre Network's first executive director, K. Zaheerah Sultan, has brought many years of community organization experience and arts advocacy expertise to the service of this premier Black theatre organization.

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