
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, IU School of Education at IUPUI, and IUPUI Office of Community Engagement in partnership with IndyFringe Theatre

The 2nd Annual FREE theater workshop is coming April 22nd!

The Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (ARTI) will sponsor its 2nd Annual “CENTERSTAGE: A Theater Workshop,” from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Herron School of Art & Design, 735 West New York Street, Indianapolis IN 46202.
CENTERSTAGE workshops will be led by a panel of experienced theater professionals, educators and practitioners who bring a wealth of diverse knowledge and skills.
The event is free to the public, but pre-registration is required.
OnyxFest 2023 playwrights will be announced in mid-april

Entries have been submitted to a jury of theater professionals who will read each and determine five winners. Winners will be notified in mid-April. We will also communicate with those not chosen.
For a few aspiring writers, OnyxFest – the first and only Indiana theater festival exclusively for African American playwrights – in partnership with IndyFringe Theatre will cover all expenses required to bring scripts to life.
Thank you to all who supported the streaming of OnyxFest 2022 in Celebration of Black History Month

Thank you to the Butler Arts & Events Center, IndyFringe, and all who viewed the streaming of OnyxFest 2022! If you haven’t had the opportunity to see the plays, they can still be seen on our OnyxFest 2022 page.
For the third year in a row, OnyxFest & IndyFringe were happy to partner with the Butler Arts & Events Center to stream all six plays from OnyxFest 2022 throughout February on The Fly Rail in Celebration of Black History Month at no charge.
This screening collaboration with the Butler Arts and Events Center extended the production well beyond Indianapolis to a worldwide audience.
OnyxFest 2022: The most successful event in the 12-year history
OnyxFest would like to thank all involved in the most successful event in the 12-year history of this powerful and unique festival featuring the works of Black playwrights. OnyxFest is not only the first but remains the only Indiana theater festival exclusively dedicated to authentic stories depicting Black lives and culture.
Sponsored by the Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (A.R.T.I.), in conjunction with IndyFringe Indianapolis, we extend heartfelt appreciation to the Indianapolis area and beyond; and for those who came and supported us this year, giving a 63% increase in ticket sales over last year. We proudly acknowledge actors, technicians, volunteers, and all who worked behind the scenes to make the magic; and that starts with those creative and talented individuals whose scripts were selected to be transcended from the page to the stage. >>READ MORE
OnyxFest 2022 playwrights featured on “Bring It On” radio show
The OnyxFest 2022 playwrights were featured on the “Bring It On!” radio show. Watch the recording now!
“Bring It On!” is a multiple-award-winning one-hour weekly public affairs program exploring the people, issues, and events affecting African American communities beginning with South Central Indiana. “Bring It On!” seeks to facilitate open and constructive dialogue among African Americans and the communities they reside in. “Bring It On!” airs on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. on WFHB 91.3 and 98.1 FM volunteer-powered, listener-supported, community radio for South Central Indiana! Listen live or download a podcast of the show at www.wfhb.org.

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: