OnyxFest Announces Playwrights and Festival Expansion

INDIANAPOLIS — After receiving a record number of scripts for consideration, organizers of OnyxFest Indianapolis announced today that for the first time, there will be both fall and spring festivals for the state’s only theatrical showcase exclusively for Black playwrights.
Sponsored by the Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (A.R.T.I.) in conjunction with IndyFringe, OnyxFest Fall 2022 is scheduled for November 3 – 6 and November 10 – 13. The inaugural Spring OnyxFest is set for the first two weekends of April in 2023. Plays will be staged at the Basile Theatre IndyFringe and the IUPUI Campus Center Theater.
OnyxFest Executive Producer Vernon A. Williams said playwrights chosen will be funded for production costs that include royalties, venue for rehearsal and performances, marketing and promotion, production development, make-up, costume, set design, and video recording as well as stipends for actors, technicians, directors, and stage managers.
Fall shows will include “A Black Father’s Plea” by Curtis Drake Shepard, “Laments Of A Brown Bird Summer” by Cris Eli Blak, “Majesties” by Charla Booth, “Mercy” by Rain Wilson, and “Your Love Will Be Judged” by Gabrielle Patterson.
The spring shows for 2023 will include “All Money Ain’t Good” by Rosalyn Marsh, “Black Is My Color” by Celeste Williams, “Ebony People” by Steve Gold, “Houseless Not Homeless” by Michael Florence, “Kul Cha (Culture)” by McKenya Dilworth Smith, “Pieces Of: The Musical” by Ricky Murasaki.
For information, visit onyxfest.com