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Elevating Black Stories

Feel the power. live the story.

SEE SHOWTIMES

The energy. the emotion. the art.

The Indianapolis Black Theater Showcase gave voice to stories that reflect our culture and spark change. Browse the photos and relive a night that celebrated authenticity in every form.

A woman dancing on stage with a serious expression, wearing a black long-sleeve top, illuminated by pink and purple lighting.
Group of five women standing on stage with arms raised, holding hands, wearing black shirts and white pants, celebrating or performing.
Performer singing on stage with a black and white dress, white feathered cape, and flower in hair at a show.
Theater scene with five actors on stage, seated in a semi-circle, engaged in dialogue, with dramatic lighting and a large screen in the background.
A woman in traditional African attire with a headwrap, large earrings, and a light-colored outfit, holding a stick, speaking or performing on stage with a dark background.
Female dancer with dreadlocks and glasses performing on stage, illuminated by pink and red stage lights, with the word 'SHOW' projected behind her.
A woman with long dreadlocks, wearing a black T-shirt with 'ASANTE ART INSTITUTE OF INDIANAPOLIS' written on it and a headset, raising her right hand while speaking or performing on stage with a black background.
A woman performing on stage, smiling and wearing a traditional pink and red kimono with floral designs, illuminated by a spotlight against a dark background.
Ballet dancer mid-air on stage, wearing a bright yellow outfit and holding an American flag shawl.
A woman with dark hair styled in twists, wearing a black T-shirt with orange and white text that reads "ASANTE ART INSTITUTES OF INDIANAPOLIS" and white pants, is performing a dance on a dark stage. She is leaning forward with her left arm extended a
A woman with short white hair and purple highlights speaking into a microphone on stage, wearing a black jacket and gesturing with her hand.
Two actors on stage, one man and one woman, performing in a theater. The man is speaking urgently, wearing a grey suit with a beige shirt, while the woman looks concerned, dressed in black with long blonde braids and a black hoodie.
A woman singing on stage at an event with a dark background and a large screen showing event details.
Performer with dreadlocks dancing on stage in front of a large screen and curtains, wearing a black long-sleeve top and pants, under stage lighting.
Two dancers perform on stage in front of a large screen that reads 'Theater Showcase.' One dancer has dreadlocks and the other has curly hair, both are dressed in black and are mid-performance, illuminated by stage lighting with a red hue.
A woman in a sparkling red evening gown standing on a dark stage, speaking or singing into a microphone headset.
A man in a purple and black ceremonial gown standing at a podium with a sign that reads 'Madam Walker Legacy Center,' speaking into a microphone against a black background.
A man performing a dance move on stage with a sign that says 'V-ease' in the background.
A woman performing on stage at Madame Walker Legacy Center, wearing a shiny silver dress with a large, bright green ruffled accessory, holding a microphone, with a backdrop displaying the words 'The Car'.
Performance on stage at the Indianapolis Black Theater Showcase, featuring three dancers in black attire illuminated by red stage lights, with a large screen displaying the event's name and a brick wall background.
A performer dressed in a sparkling white gown and feathered cape singing on stage with a microphone, with a dark background and a projection screen showing the word 'SHOW' in gold letters.
A man wearing a beige hoodie and pants, standing on stage, appears to be speaking or performing with expressive hand gestures, under stage lighting.
Four women on stage performing a dance or theatrical act, wearing black T-shirts with a logo and white bottoms, with one woman in a white skirt, against a dark background.
A woman singing on stage, wearing a colorful headwrap, white t-shirt, and patterned skirt, holding a microphone, with a keyboard in front of her, against a dark background.
Five women on stage holding hands and raising their arms, dressed in black T-shirts and white pants, with a dark background.
A man dressed in academic regalia standing at a podium on stage at the Madam Walker Legacy Center. Behind him, a large screen displays the words "The Indianapolis Black Theater Showcase" against a brick wall background.
Audience members seated and attentively watching an event.
A woman with long braided hair wearing a black hoodie, smiling on stage with two men in the background, one with white hair and dark skin and the other with darker skin and black hair, both holding canes.
A man in a beige hoodie and pants, passionately performing on stage, with his fist clenched and mouth open, against a dark background.
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A woman in a red, sequined off-shoulder gown speaking on a headset microphone, smiling, against a black background.

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MEET THE TEAM

Two people, a woman in a light blue uniform and a man in a white shirt and black tie, are laughing and dancing together in a room with beige walls and a framed picture in the background.

Behind every story is an artist. Meet the people who embody it all.

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Support our growth

though still a young Non-for-profit company, IBTC is committed to producing culturally rich, emotionally resonant, and socially relevant theatre rooted in the Black experience. With the launch of the $20 INFINITE IMPACT Campaign, the organization seeks to build long-term sustainability, expand its artistic programming, deepen community engagement, and strengthen its mission-driven work.

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REVIEWS

  • "We’re in good hands as a creative community."

    Chloe McGowan, Indianapolis Recorder

  • "This is stagecraft at its finest."

    Lisa Gauthier Mitchison, NUVO

About IBTC

The Indianapolis Black Theater Company is a resident theater company housed within The District TheatrE in Indianapolis, Indiana. With a goal of supporting the growing Black Theater Community, the District theatre mounted a capital campaign under the leadership of then Central Indiana Community Foundation president Brian Payne to garner funds to launch a resident theater company with matching funds from the Lilly Endowment.

IBTC is currently launching an annual national Black playwriting contest with aspirations to produce the winning authors’ work each following season. IBTC also has plans in 2025 to host an annual Black Solos Festival while producing 2-3 plays annually.

Behind the curtain

Night view of The District Theatre, a brick building with a prominent sign. The storefront has large windows with seated interior and a dark awning above. The street in front has a small landscaped area, benches, and parking spots.

we are dedicated to the power of Black storytelling as a force for change, healing, and connection. Through bold, thought-provoking, and artistically excellent productions, we illuminate the richness of Black experiences; challenging perspectives, enlightening minds, educating communities, and uplifting humanity.

Rooted in community engagement, we create spaces where dialogue thrives, diverse voices are celebrated, and the transformative power of theatre ignites action. We honor our past, shape our present, and inspire our future by telling the stories that need to be heard, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

our mission

Black and white photograph of a vintage baseball team in uniform. Some team members sit on a bench, while others stand behind. They wear uniforms with 'Lownd' across the chest and hold baseball bats. A large poster behind them features a historic baseball player, Toni Stone, and details for an event from September 19th to October 6th.