MILWAUKEE — The MKE Black Theatre Festival is back this August; the festival will bring three weeks full of entertainment for a new expanded event. In the past, it's only lasted one week. 

From Aug. 9-27, the festival will offer attendees two full-production shows, audition and play development workshops, a Black history presentation, a youth and family night, auditions for Black Nativity and more.

“Hosting this festival throughout the city gives space for our community to come together and celebrate Black arts. The MKE Black Theatre Festival is her to help us learn, grow and bring light to the culture,” said Kyndal Johnson, Black Arts MKE outreach coordinator for arts and education, in a statement.

Some events are free, while others are ticketed.

Two of the ticketed events included this year’s plays, "Mud Row" and "The Meeting."

"Mud Row" is a collaboration production with Marquette University’s VIP Theatre Program. It looks at two generations of sisters in an area of West Chester, Pa., called Mud Row. Tickets for that show can be purchased here.

"The Meeting" is a one-act play focusing on the meeting of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tickets for this show can be purchased here.

The activities at the festival will take place at various venues throughout the city, including Marquette University, The Table at Alice’s Garden, Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum and Studio 4A at Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Events aim to support Black creatives and increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture, tying in the Black Arts MKE mission. The group has hired over 100 local artists of color for public performances, arts education and outreach.

For a look at the full schedule of festival events, click here.