You might be familiar with The District Theatre on Massachusetts Avenue in downtown, but did you know it’s also the home of the Indianapolis Black Theater Company?
INDIANAPOLIS — You might be familiar with The District Theatre on Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indy, but did you know it’s also the home of the Indianapolis Black Theater Company?
Now, in its second year, the IBTC members and leadership are eager to fill theater seats and elevate Black stories.
“Most importantly, getting out the narratives of the people, so that people can see themselves and respond and be inspired,” said Ben Rose, the company’s founding artistic director.
He’s an Indy native who takes pride in creating spaces for local performers and audiences.
“We did so much, and now, we have 15 company members,” Rose said, reflecting on year one’s success.
Last summer, the company debuted its production of “Toni Stone.” She was the first woman to play as a regular on an American major-level professional baseball team when she joined the Indianapolis Clowns.
She’s not a household name for many, even amongst most Hoosiers.
Sean Blake is the actor who played Toni’s husband in the production.
“Ben, when he would do the curtain speech, he’s like, ‘How many of you have heard of Toni Stone?’ And there were nice people like, ‘Yeah!’ and there were other nice people, and it was like crickets,” Blake said, “and I’m like, ‘Why don’t you know this? You should know this.'”
Telling these stories is a labor of love for Blake and other company members.
“In theater, it’s our job to entertain, but we also have to educate — and not to hit people over the head but educate people enough to say, ‘I want to learn more about this.'”
That doesn’t always mean a history lesson. Rose wants this stage to share contemporary narratives of Black Americans and their experiences, too. It’s why he’s putting out an all-call to bring fresh content.
Rose has taken to social media to spread the word.
“The Indianapolis Black Theater Company is searching for the next big voice in drama,” Rose said in a video posted to Instagram advertising The American Black Playwriting Competition.
The American Playwriting Competition – IBTC is accepting entries until Feb. 10. It has a grand prize of $7,500.
The IBTC is an equity theater, which means it supports artists by negotiating wages and working terms, even offering insurance and pension benefits. It’s that kind of “behind-the-scenes” work that members hope will make the space sustainable.
“And not just this theater company,” Blake said, “but all the Black theater companies in this city.”
Blake said it’s important for artists to feel there is a thriving theater community in Indianapolis, rather than always seeking opportunities in larger cities.
IBTC is preparing for its next production of “Ain’t No Mo” April 11-27. Tickets are on sale now.
