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WHAT IS CRTP
The Critical Race Theatre Project is a black theatre collective formed in 2024 by Richmond, Virginia theater professionals Sharalyn Garrard and Toney Cobb.
The 3rd Annual Richmond Black Theatre Festival is an evening of black, creative expression, and excellence. "Too often Black artists are not produced because the producers and decision makers don't know who they are, or where they are. This will be a platform for Black artists to get their work seen and eventually produced. We hope that this festival will grow over the years as we give voice to more and more Black creatives."
WHO IS
SHARALYN GARRARD
COFOUNDER, PRESIDENT
Sharalyn Garrard graduated from Hampton University with a B.A. in Speech and Drama. She spent five years in Los Angeles as a Stage Manager. After returning home, she has been seen on several Richmond stages. Some of her favorite roles include Clairee in Steel Magnolias, African American Repertory Theatre; Aunt Missy in Purlie, Dept. of Recreation and Parks; Viney in The Miracle Worker, Swift Creek Mill Theatre; Lena Younger in A Raisin in the Sun,New Castle Productions; and Sudy in Steal Away and Narrator in Sweet Chocolate and the Seven Christians, The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company. She directed the staged reading, Look What We Did with Love, and directed Tellin’ Tales, both with The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company, where she served as Artistic Director; and she was one of the directors in The BlackList at The Conciliation Lab. She is the Founder of The Critical RaceTheatre Project.
WHO IS
TONEY COBB
CO FOUNDER,OPERATING DIRECTOR
Toney Q Cobb is a native of Richmond, and has been involved in theatre/film/TV for 35 years. He's worked at Theatre IV, Sycamore Rouge, Firehouse Theater, and Swift Creek Mill Playhouse and many other groups throughout the region. He is currently serving as Board President for Richmond Community Theater Guild.
WHO IS
JOSHUA D. HARRIS
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Joshua D. Harris, co-founder and president of House of Cards VA,
a theater production company located in Richmond VA. He and his brother (Justin “Flash” Harris) have pioneered black theater excellence partnering with youth programs such as Pine Camp's Journey Program to produce annual shows for Black History Month and Juneteenth, as well as partnering with CRTP to oversee production, marketing, and artistic direction for the annual black theatre festival as well as expanding into music and theater touring with their hit show “All Boys Wear Blue” this upcoming fall.
WHO IS
d.l. Hopkins
COMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING CONSULTANT
dl Hopkins is a fixture in the Virginia theatre community. Onstage, he is an award-winning actor, veteran poet, and former Artistic Director of the African American Repertory Theatre of Virginia. He has appeared on film, including in HBO’s “Loving.” He has also appeared on television in many different roles, including in HBO’s “The Wire” and the Fox series “Legends & Lies” as Bass Reeves, The Real Lone Ranger.
Mr. Hopkins was honored with the title of Artist-In-Residence at the University of Richmond, where he performed and taught. As a founding member of Ernie McClintock’s Jazz Actors Theatre, he toured as a fellow repertory artist, and taught Mr. McClintock’s Jazz Actor’s technique.
2026 PERFORMANCE DATES & VENUES
ALL PERFORMANCES WILL BE
FRIDAY AUG 7TH-SUNDAY AUG 9TH
VENUES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH
