August 28-30
at the Hilberry Gateway
2026 Festival Schedule
Friday, August 28
7 PM: Actin’ Out (Hip-Hop Improv event)Saturday, August 29
11 AM - 2 PM: Hip-Hop Family Hour
12 PM: Youth Hip-Hop Play
2 PM: 16 Bars matinee
7:30 PM: 16 Bars evening performance
9 PM: The After PartySunday, August 30
3 PM: 16 Bars matinee
About the Festival
BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival is the culmination of 16 Bars - a 16 day period leading up to the festival where playwrights, cast and crew come together to devise 4 new plays - drawing inspiration from narrative hip-hop songs. Included in this year's fest is Actin' Out, a hip-hop improv showcase, and Hip-Hop Family Hour - a time dedicated to hip-hop lovers of all ages. Join us at noon for an all-age appropriate hip-hop play.Our inaugural festival took place September 7, 2024 at the Hilberry Gateway in Detroit, MI.
BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival is currently a bi-annual event with the next festival slated for 2028.Purpose of the BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival:
Provide pathways for new and established theatre and hip-hop artists to engage with each other and skillshare
Impact communities interested in hip-hop music and provide exposure to the art of theatre and live performance
Contribute positively/mindfully/ethically to Detroit’s theatrical ecologyBRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival returns August 28-30, the 2026 at the Hilberry Gateway.This year's festival is sponsored by Beats Rhymes Everything Detroit and the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance.Join our mailing list for updates.
About BHHTF
16 Bars
BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival is the culmination of 16 Bars, a devising period consisting of just 16 days leading up the Festival. Over 16 days, 4 playwrights and production teams work together to create and showcase 4 new one-act plays inspired by a hip-hop/rap song.Playwrights and production teams are completely unaware of what song they will be given to be inspired by prior to the beginning of 16 Bars (the devising period).16 Bars is theater’s response to a sample, a remix and a freestyle all in one!
About BHHTF
The After Party
Hip-Hop started in the spirit of celebration, so we felt it only right to continue the tradition. Immediately following the Saturday evening performance of 16 Bars, join us for The After Party, a free event featuring hip-hop performances by BRED artists Al Wu, King Kvll and more. (RSVP required)2026 Headliner
Asaka the Renegade***2024 Featured Artists: Trey Grams, $leaz, Pat2Dope, Rap Camp, Ink, Malcolm X Elliott, Donforwhatever, Valid and DJ Head, Ilajide, Brittney B Hayden, DJ BOS’N, DJ King Kvll. Hosted by Loke.
Photos by Barely Hispanic, HISOPTICS, and BRED
About BHHTF
Goals
BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival aims to provide high-value creative opportunities for diverse emerging and established theater and hip-hop artists. BRED prioritizes working with area talent but embraces artists and guests from around the globe.
BHHTF Mission, Vision, Values
Mission - Showcase hip-hop artists and devise new plays inspired by narrative hip-hop/rap songs with established and emerging theater artists.
Vision - Theater and hip-hop artists and enthusiasts come together to learn from and contribute to the legacy of Hip-Hop and American theater culture.
Values - Community; live arts; access; and technology.
About BHHTF
Leadership
BHHTF Artistic Directors: Alesyn McCall-Brown (Al Wu), Shawntai McCall-Brown, Richard McCall (King Kvll)
Get Involved
Join the Movement
We are seeking standout talent to join the Hip-Hop Theatre movement. Interested playwrights, technical designers (set, lights, sound), directors, stage managers, actors, hip-hop artists, and volunteers are invited to share their resume with bred4anything@gmail.com with the subject BRED HIP-HOP THEATRE FEST.
Interested in the BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival and other events with Beats Rhymes Everything Detroit? Join the mailing list.
Join the mailing list
Sign up for info
Interested in the BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival and other events with Beats Rhymes Everything Detroit? Join the mailing list.
BRED Hip-Hip Theatre Festival 2026 © All rights reserved.
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The BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival’s existence is contingent on the blessing and contributions of the village. We're glad to know people like you.