Mellon Foundation awarded $350,000 to The District Theatre (TDT) to be spent over three years to help create a professional training and development hub within the theatre for Black and Brown theatre artists and technicians and to produce six plays by Indiana playwrights. The six plays would celebrate the vivid heritage of Indiana Avenue dubbed “The Harlem of the Midwest,” for its thriving culture
of Black-owned businesses, performing arts and educational influence. The plays would explore the impact of displacement and gentrification in Indianapolis as well as the legacy of achievement created by some of the most renowned educators and jazz musicians of the 20th Century. About the Training Hub:
In 2021 after convening meetings with Black theatre organization founders, The District Theatre Board also had multiple convenings with Black theatre artists. The major themes from these meetings were a lack of professional job opportunities and almost zero professional training and development opportunities that can be accessed in Central Indiana. Mellon Foundation free training program is designed to provide more job and skill-development opportunities for Indianapolis Black and Brown theatre artists and technicians through the theatre’s professional training and development hub. The training program will:
• Provide pathways by commissioning new work either individually or jointly, supporting the development of work and careers and facilitating collaboration.
• Provide sustainability for mid-career and beyond by providing a financial incentive and opportunities.
• Prevent burn out for smaller theatre companies employing mostly all Black partitioners by providing resources, and a pool of trained actors and technical support.
• Provide an opportunity to build skills and pathways to employment in stage management and production roles, through specific training and/or a mentoring program.
• Open up partnerships with local colleges and high schools.
