Larry Leon Hamlin (September 25, 1948 – June 6, 2007) was the founder and artistic director of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company as well as the founder and executive director of the National Black Theatre Festival.[1] His favorite personal expression was the word "marvtastic", a blend of the words "marvelous" and "fantastic".[2]
Born in Reidsville, North Carolina, Hamlin was a lover of theatre from an early age. Although he earned a degree in business administration at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, he later studied theatre at Brown University.[3]
During his studies at Brown, Hamlin was called back to North Carolina for a family emergency.[4] After the matter was resolved, Hamlin remained in Winston-Salem and established the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, the first local black theatre organization in the state.[5] Ten years later, he founded the National Black Theatre Festival with the support of Maya Angelou in order to feature the best in African-American theatre.[6]
Hamlin died at his home in Pfafftown, North Carolina following an extended illness.