"A celebration of African-American playwrights, produced in cooperation with A.R.T.I. (Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI) and IndyFringe. 2020 was a pivotal year for this festival. Its operations were turned over to ARTI, the Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI. With the pandemic seriously curtailing public showings, WFYI teamed up with OnyxFest organizers to film each of the six original plays created for the festival."--WFYI
"Anniversary"
Playwright: J.R. Baltimore;
Director: Kelly Mills;
Cast: Bianca Black, Montez Lafayette, Kaitlyn Nailon & Nate Russell;
Crew: John Schellinger;
"Being Black"
Playwright: Vernon A. Williams;
Director: Tijideen Rowley;
Cast: Ricky Cortez, Tommy Gray III, Isaiah NB Moore, Leonard harris, Jr., Latrice Young, Deserae Kay, Lark Hodges & Monica Cantrell;
"A Bluesy Night"
Playwright: Aniqua Chatman;
Director: Trent K. Haw-Rich;
Cast: Aniqua Chatman, Trent K. Haw-Rich, Aaron Wright & Jalen Anderson;
Crew: Gabrielle Black, Ainger Alexander & Brytnie Jones;
"I Feed You Defiance"
Playwright & Director: Rain Wilson;
Cast: Andrea Wilson, Kimberlan Hill, Alaina Renae, Kelsey Johnson, Dayna Arnett, Brittany Crone, Rain Wilson & Faye Holmes;
Crew: Charla Booth, Syearra Liggins, Malik Mark-McRath & Austin Brisco;
"On the Corner"
Playwright: Michael Florence;
Director: Edric Mitchell;
Cast: Keita Dennis, Matias Gonzalez, Deont'a Starks & Edric Mitchell;
Crew: Eboni Majors & Noah Holliday;
"Seven Days"
Playwright & Director: Shandrea Funnye;
Cast: Anjoynae Jimpson, Montez Lafayette, Tessia Clark, Frederick Weathers, Jr., Tajuan Woodson & Shandrea Funnye;
Crew: Tajuan Woodson & DAndre Jimpson;
WFYI Productions
Director/Editor: Jerry Prince;
Camera: Josh Lozinak, Joey Martin & Tai Payne;
Live & Post Audio/Editor: Chris Fry;
Post Audio: Gabriel Harley;
Broadcast Editor: Jeremy Tatara;
Production Manager: Frank Konerman;
Vice Pres. Production: Clayton Taylor;
[AI-Generated Summary] Documents the organization and staging of Onyx Fest 2020—a playwriting festival dedicated to Black playwrights—which successfully produced six original plays despite the dual challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide racial justice movements following the murder of George Floyd. Through interviews, safety adjustments like outdoor performances and Zoom rehearsals, and dramatic excerpts from the plays, the video highlights how the festival offered Black theater artists a crucial platform to address systemic racism, social justice, historical oppression, and the Black experience in America. Ultimately, organizers, directors, and performers emphasize that continuing live theater during unprecedented times was essential for providing a powerful, authentic voice for the community and fostering human connection when it was needed most.
This AI-generated summary (via Gemini AI and Adobe Premiere Pro) is for discovery purposes only. Please consult the original recording for historical accuracy.