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.
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
Thank you for making the 2nd Annual CENTERSTAGE: A Theater Workshop a success!
The Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (ARTI) sponsored its 2nd Annual “CENTERSTAGE: A Theater Workshop,” on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Herron School of Art & Design.
CENTERSTAGE workshops were led by a panel of experienced theater professionals, educators and practitioners who brought a wealth of diverse knowledge and skills.
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
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