Full Production Grants Available for Black Playwrights Throughout Indiana 

Posted by Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI ; Posted on 
Performing - DEADLINE :  
Full Production Grants Available for Black Playwrights Throughout Indiana 

   

Lack of financial resources is often the most daunting obstacle for  new writers trying to bring fresh, innovative story ideas from the pages of their script to the stage.

For a few aspiring writers, OnyxFest 2022 - the first and only Indiana theater festival exclusively for  African American playwrights - will cover all expenses required to bring scripts to life. Scripts will be  accepted for consideration from December 15th up to midnight Tuesday, March 15th.

This competition is designed to showcase the broad spectrum of stories that depict Black life  and culture. OnyxFest Director Vernon A. Williams said, “This is an event that empowers Black  artists to create their own narrative, to tell their own stories.”

Playwrights will receive royalties along with stipends to pay actors, directors, lighting assistants  and sound technicians. The grant will include funds for set design, props, costume and makeup  as well as the complete cost of theater rental for both rehearsal and performances.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for serious new playwrights with talent but no resources,”  Williams said, adding that OnyxFest 2022 will also provide playwrights script development,  marketing and advertising for productions along with video recordings and internet streaming of  plays.

Scripts should be submitted to https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eePgEsfecadmvjw.  Entries will then be submitted to a jury of theater professionals who will read each and  determine five winners. Winners will be notified Friday, April 15, 2022.

Entries must be original one-act plays - between 45 minutes and an hour in length. There  may be no more than six characters per cast.

Subject matter is unrestricted. Williams recommends that writers avoid stereotypes, degrading  or disrespectful portrayals of Black life and culture, and gratuitous violence or sexual content.

OnyxFest 2022 is sponsored by the Africana Repertory Theater of IUPUI (ARTI), a program of  study offered by the IUPUI School of Liberal Arts, School of Education and Office of Community  Engagement using theater to document and artistically reflect the history, cultural life, and  politics of people of the Africana Diaspora.

Watch all five productions of last year’s OnyxFest at onyxfest.com. For more Information on this  year’s festival, text or call 317.457.8779 or email onyxfestindy@gmail.com.

 

For more information:

Vernon A. Williams
Communication and Engagement Strategist, IUPUI
Director, OnyxFest

Tel: 317.274.8710 | Cell: 317.457.8779 | Email: veawill@iupui.edu