Nashville, TN – The Tennessee State University Theatre production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” by Lanie Robertson, has been chosen to perform at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for its 20th Anniversary Festival during the week of August 3-8, 2009. “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” is one of four college productions chosen to perform as a part of the Fringe College component of the National Black Theatre Festival, whose “spotlight shines bright on the most professional collegiate theatre productions from around the world. NBTF Fringe is primarily a performance showcase for college and university students.”

“Lady Day” will be given two performances on Saturday, August 8th at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at this biennial Festival’s “International Celebration & Reunion of Spirit.” The NBTF highlights productions and celebrities from the most prestigious professional and semiprofessional theatre groups, as well as television and film artists and celebrities in America and internationally.

The TSU Theatre production, directed by Lawrence James, Ph.D., features student Ashley Bishop in the title role of Billie Holiday, with support from Alex White, II, Harold Pettigrew III, and Joel Diggs. Daryl Nettles, Ph.D., is musical director, who also performs as the piano accompanist character for Lady Day. The musical band is made complete with the musical virtuosity of Paul Deyo, Brook Sutton, and Rob Crawford. Professor Mark Collino is scenic and lighting designer, and technical manager.

The production of “Lady Day” was recently honored in February 2009 as one of the five Regional Finalist productions invited to perform at the Regional IV Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, then subsequently selected as one of the nineteen Kennedy Center National Finalists.