WFYI Documentary “OnyxFest 2020: Written in Black”
On February 25, 2021, WFYI (TV) aired a 60-minute documentary featuring the making of OnyxFest, Indiana’s only Black theater festival. In addition to excerpts from OnyxFest 2020 plays, “OnyxFest 2020: Written in Black” featured interviews with playwrights, actors, and more.
This documentary produced by WFYI chronicled how OnyxFest sponsors–Indyfringe and Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (IUPUI)–overcame overwhelming obstacles to keep Black performing arts alive and thriving.
More about the Documentary:
In the throes of a global pandemic, the fate of the only Indiana theater festival showcasing African American playwrights was in peril. While auditions and rehearsals proceeded virtually, organizers pondered how the event could be salvaged.
Right on cue, WFYI entered center stage with an offer to videotape all plays as well as provide professional post-production editing. That offer assured that important stories depicting Black life and culture would definitely have an audience through internet streaming.
Confident in the production quality of WFYI, Butler University Arts and Events Center then offered its significant platform – which reaches 300,000 patrons annually – for streaming of all six OnyxFest plays during Black History Month February 2021.
WFYI produced a 60-minute documentary special chronicling how OnyxFest sponsors – IndyFringe and Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI – overcame overwhelming obstacles to keep Black performing arts alive and thriving! That broadcast aired at 9:00 p.m. over television station WFYI.
In addition to excerpts from OnyxFest 2020 plays, the documentary featured interviews with playwrights, directors, actors, longtime IndyFringe CEO & President Pauline Moffat as well as A.R.T.I. spokespersons Dr. Regina Turner and Dr. Khaula Murtadha.