The Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (ARTI) will sponsor its first  ever “CENTERSTAGE: A Theater Workshop,” from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 22,  2022, at the university’s Student Campus Center, 420 University Blvd. Indianapolis.

ARTI manager Dr. Les Etienne said the event addresses the commitment of his organization to  heighten the capacity for theater to be an effective means of conveying culture, issues and life  that embody the Africana diaspora. “This is to support and build on the efforts of those who  create important narratives that tell our stories on stage in our own voice. We are uniquely  positioned to facilitate merging of various key elements critical to successful theater production.”

The following are workshop sessions offered:

1. THE SHOW. Playwriting and editing; directing; more effective and forceful acting. Methods for  creating strong stories – conveyed with maximum impact on stage.

2. THE BUSINESS. Production development and setting timelines, budgeting, auditions,  venue/box office concerns, fundraising, grant opportunities and marketing.

3. ACTING PLUS. Beyond conventional acting. Theatrical performances related to choreography,  musical production and spoken word.

4. THE TECH. Exploration of techniques, technology and opportunities in lighting and sound, as  well as video technology and special effects.

5. THE LOOK. The stage vision that accents the presentation. Artistic direction; set design and  construction; props; make up and costuming.

Sessions will run concurrently and will be repeated, allowing each participant to attend either two  of the topic areas addressed. Workshops will be led by a panel of experienced theater  professionals, educators and practitioners who bring a wealth of diverse knowledge and skills.  Presenters will be announced in January. The Workshop will also feature the director of IUPUI’s  Applied Theater program Emilio Robles as a session facilitator and other presenters will be  announced in January.

“CENTERSTAGE: A Theater Workshop” is designed to attract a broad range of theater  enthusiasts, from the novice to those pursuing careers in onstage production. The event is free to the public but preregistration is required. Parking is available in the Vermont  Street garage conveniently attached to the campus center. For more information, go to  onyxfest.com.

Register for CENTERSTAGE at https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2rH4wtWcXR2MufY.

About A.R.T.I. (Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI):

The Africana Repertory Theatre of IUPUI (ARTI) is a program of study offered by the IU School  of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, the School of Education and the IUPUI Office of Community  Engagement using a multidisciplinary approach to “edutainment.” ARTI was developed to  document and artistically reflect the history, cultural life, and politics of peoples of the African  Diaspora. As a public arts initiative, ARTI has a deep commitment to and focuses on artistic and  community engagement. The Office of Community Engagement and the Schools of Liberal Arts  and Education are supporting this proposal because it advances the idea that learning in the  arts is invaluable at all stages of life, and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community  life may advance civic engagement while also creating a college and career pathway. Leslie  Kenneth Etienne, ARTI manager and acting director of IUPUI Africana Studies, said his group  also seeks to increase collaborations with local Black and other minority theatre groups in  Indianapolis, launch a black events quarterly periodical and establish an advisory council for  Black theater in the Indiana Avenue Cultural District. Along with Etienne, ARTI consists of  Khaula Murtadha, associate vice chancellor for community engagement; Regina Turner,  associate faculty in communication studies; and Vernon A. Williams, communication and  community engagement strategist.