Indy’s first and only theater festival dedicated to the stories of Black playwrights.
Presented by the Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (A.R.T.I.), IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, and IUPUI Office of Community Engagement in partnership with IndyFringe.
With deep sadness, we share with you the passing of Vernon A. Williams
Our hearts are heavy today as we share with you the sad news of the passing of OnyxFest Director and Executive Producer Vernon A. Williams. Read more about Vernon’s life in the Indianapolis Recorder.
Join family and friends in celebrating the life of Vernon A. Williams next Friday, May 24th. The visitation will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, and the service will begin at noon at Kingdom Apostolic Ministries, 4900 East 38th Street. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana University Foundation in care of the Africana Repertory Theatre of IU Indianapolis (A.R.T.I.) in the Indiana University Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts, P.O. Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-6460, or contributions may be made online.
August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” showing at the Madam Walker Legacy Center
The Gary West Side Theatre Guild in cooperation with The Africana Repertory Theatre of IU Indianapolis will sponsor an AUGUST WILSON classic stage play, “TWO TRAINS RUNNING” Friday, April 26th at the Madam Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis. Tickets are free to the public but must be obtained in advance at EventBrite. For more information, contact us or call 317.457.8779.
Thank you for supporting ARTI on #IUDay!
You helped raise $2,200 plus $1,000 in bonus funds from IU Foundation. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Your support helps increase representation of Black talent and excellence in the Indianapolis arts scene and expands opportunities for community collaboration. The Africana Repertory Theatre of IU Indianapolis (A.R.T.I.) leadership team is grateful for your support. Thank you for helping tell our stories in our voices! Your support helps keep the spotlight center stage on Black life and culture.
To make your gift in support of the ARTI fund ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, visit our Giving page. Please share this page with your friends, family, and fellow IUPUI alumni.
Thank you again for being part of this great venture!
ARTI Leadership Team
Thank you for your script submissions!
Thank you to all those who submitted play scripts for OnyxFest 2024! It’s encouraging to see the number of writers who embraced the opportunity to tell their stories in their voices. Entries have been submitted to a jury of theater professionals who will read each and determine winners. Recipients will be notified no later than the end of April.
This marks the fifth anniversary of the collaboration between IndyFringe and the Africana Repertory Theatre of IU Indianapolis (A.R.T.I.) and the 14th staging of Onyxfest. >>READ MORE
Thank you for supporting OnyxFest 2023!
Thank you to the OnyxFest 2023 Playwrights, cast, crew, tech, and each audience member who all contributed to making this season a success!
There are many people to thank beyond the stage including the staff of Crispus Attucks High School, the IndyFringe Theatre family, Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (A.R.T.I.) founders Khaula Murtadha and Regina Turner; IUPUI Vice Chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Karen Dace; IUPUI Office of Community Engagement (OCE) Vice Chancellor Amy Conrad Warner; IUPUI Africana Studies Program and OCE staff; Purdue University Vice Provost Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Renee Thomas, the Indianapolis Association of Black Journalists; Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper Publisher Robert Shegog as well as ARTI board members and volunteers!
Weekend Finale of OnyxFest 2023 was held at iconic Crispus Attucks Auditorium
The dramatic climax of OnyxFest 2023 – the state’s first and only Black theater festival – took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 10-12 at the iconic Crispus Attucks High School Auditorium.
Organizers said the works of Black playwrights from Indianapolis, Detroit, Atlanta and Memphis was staged in the shadows of Historic Indiana Avenue for the first time in a symbolic effort to connect that storied past to the creativity of Black artists in the new millennium.
OnyxFest Director Vernon A. Williams said, “Countless talented Black performers graced the stage of the Attucks auditorium throughout the 20th Century. Similar scores of luminaries performed on ‘The Avenue’ only stones’ throw away from the campus. This spiritual connection of legacy and the work of those sustaining the arts today embody an inseparable cultural marriage.”
Presented by the Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (A.R.T.I.) in conjunction with IndyFringe. The weekend finale was staged at Crispus Attucks Auditorium November 10-12.
OnyxFest 2023 Kickoff Reception
We appreciate everyone that came out to celebrate our OnyxFest 2023 playwrights, cast and crew! It was a great kickoff for OnyxFest 2023.
“The Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI enjoyed an enthusiastic turnout tonight for its OnyxFest 2023 Kickoff Reception introducing this year’s playwrights! The spirited gathering was held at the Galleries at Eskenazi Fine Arts Center on Indiana Avenue.” – Vernon A. Williams, Director of OnyxFest
OnyxFest
Indy’s first and only theater festival dedicated to the stories of Black playwrights.
OnyxFest | Cavanaugh Hall, 425 University Blvd., Room 327, Indianapolis, IN 46202 | 317-274-8710 | contact@onyxfest.com
A thank you to our sponsors: