Asante Children's Theatre (ACT) performances are held at some of the most beautiful facilities in the city (i.e., the historic Madame Walker Theatre, and the Indiana Historical Society); facilities that the community can enjoy and appreciate year-round.
Our performances provide family-friendly entertainment. There is no foul language in the shows we do, and the writers and directors of the pieces work diligently to positively portray youth experiences. Furthermore, the youth and ACT staff conscientiously and intentionally work to provide audiences with a panoramic view of the African-American experience through artistic presentations.
ACT is an African-American culture-based outlet of creative expression for talented youth in the Indianapolis community. Also, it helps young people in the Indianapolis community see theatre as a launching pad for pursing careers in entertainment as well as a multitude of other occupations. The goal of the theatre is to assure that families are exposed to first-class, affordable and accessible African-American theater. Read on for some of our Success Stories.
A native of Chicago, Keesha Dixon came to the Asante Children's Theatre because of her son, ACT alumni John Buckley, III. In 1993, she volunteered by offering costuming ideas to help Ms. Asante in the production of "If Not You, Then Who?". Over the past 10 years, she has fine-tuned her God-given artistic talents as Costume Designer for all theatre productions.
Many of the costumes qualify as fine art more so than mere garments. Whereas traditional costumers may limit their work to the dictates of the script, Ms. Dixon's work is the result of a unique creative process using knowledge of characters, creative insight and carefully chosen fabrics of rich, bright color and textures. Her designs reflect the personalities of the actors as well as the on-stage characters they portray.
Some of the most memorable, one-of-a-kind creations Ms. Dixon has fashioned include the Cowardly Lion, Glenda the Good Witch, and Evilene The Evil Witch featured in "The Wiz!", the African warriors, Owusu Kofi and Red Bird featured in "Abena & The Python" and Amina featured in "The Middle Passage". View more of her creations by clicking on the Photo page.
Indianapolis native, Terrance Asante-Doyle is a 22-year-old ACT alumnus currently residing in Philadelphia, PA. Working as a consultant, one can tell right away that "Tee" never lost sight of his performance roots. He recently co-founded his own business--an entertainment promotion company.
"The things I absorbed from ACT during my 10 years of participating in the program have proven to be the intangibles in my life now. The Asante Children's Theatre has been instrumental in determining what my life's work will be, which is serving as a promoter and agent for the arts community." With no plans to slow down anytime soon, Tee says that similar projects are presently in the works.
Terrance says, "I honestly can't remember life without the Asante Children's Theatre. It is more than just an after-school activity or a safe haven for youth. It is a place where young people can positively cultivate their talents. I consider myself lucky to be traveling down the road set ablaze by ACT".
Ryan Bennett is a 21-year-old native of Indianapolis and an alumnus of the Asante Children's Theatre. After college, he launched his professional career in Los Angeles, California, working on numerous films including "Training Day" with Denzel Washington, as well as various television shows including "The Parkers." Presently, Ryan facilitates the ACT Prep workshops, which meet every Saturday morning. He also produces a teen-oriented, weekly television show called "360 Degrees" (appearing on local Channel 47, and cable Channels 19 and 20). Ryan says, "The best decision I've ever made was to always follow my heart. Sometimes the mind can discourage us and influence us to fear the situation. By following your heart, you don't live a life of regret."
Chrishaunna Johnson is a 24-year-old alumnus of Asante Children's Theatre, actor, singer and playwright. Recently, her one-act play entitled "Tomorrow's Yesterday" was featured in the One-Act Festival held in June of 2003. "One of the best decisions I made was deciding to be a performer in ACT because I have developed life long friendships and discovered my passion and career choice for life - acting," she says. Chrishaunna has recently returned to the Asante Children's Theatre to lend her multiple talents in the Asante Touring Company.
Mario Locke made up his mind one day to follow his dreams-and he hasn't changed his mind yet. This 22-year old alumnus decided to go to California to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. He drove his 1984 Buick LeSabre to Englewood, California against his mother's protests. "I didn't want him to go at first," says mom Julie Starks. "I was worried about him and knew that he had never driven any further than Bloomington Indiana before he announced he was moving to California. But he was determined. Being in ACT made him realize that acting was what he wanted to do." Since relocating to the west coast, Mario has appeared in numerous television shows and videos as an extra, and is waiting to hear the results of a recent audition for a small part in a Hollywood film.
Indianapolis native and ACT alumnus Jeffrey Page will direct the next main stage performance by the Asante Children's Theatre. "Hip Hop, Bee Bop, Doo Wop: A Concert of Dance and Voice" explores different genres of music and dance, while taking the audience back in time. Mr. Page has pursued his professional career performing and choreographing around the country, specializing in Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop and contemporary/neo-traditional African dance styles.
Rashida Walker paid a surprise visit at an Academy workshop this past September. She indicated that she was interested in volunteering to help in any way she could. At a local battered women's shelter--the Damien Center--Rashida daily counsels families who have been victimized. She is eager to give back to the Academy that helped her so much when she was younger. She has offered her skills and talents to the theatre and is willing to facilitate a workshop on age-appropriate topics.
"If it were not for ACT," says alumnus Alison Woolery, I may not have made the choice to continue my education." When she joined the theatre, she was only a freshman in high school. The high school years proved to be a tough time for Alison, but ACT provided her with the help and skills she needed to get through this period. She says, "Because people cared about me enough to provide this safe haven for expression, I became the first university graduate in my family." Alison currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Asante Children's Theatre. She is employed as a pharmaceutical consultant with Glaxo Smith Kline, Inc., and a graduate of Butler University.
