The Naptown African American Theatre Collective (NAATC), Indianapolis’ first Black equity theater company, has closed after four years. LaKesha Lorene, CEO, founder, and producing director, stated that the decision to close was made last summer before the 2025-26 season.

Reason for Closure

Lorene attributed the closure to a lack of stable operational support for Black and smaller arts and culture organizations in Indianapolis. Despite receiving funding from various organizations, including the Allen Whitehall Clowes Charitable Foundation and the Indy Arts Council, the NAATC struggled to secure consistent operational support.

The NAATC was an ‘equity house,’ with a contract with the Actors’ Equity Association union, guaranteeing fair wages, access to benefits, and safe working conditions for actors and stage managers. The collective employed over 80 actors and crew members and hosted three seasons and seven shows, including ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ and ‘Detroit ’67’.

Impact on the Community

Xavier Jones, an actor who worked with the NAATC, expressed his disappointment at the closure, stating that the community loses a platform for elevated stories and a place where talent can be groomed and taken care of.

The NAATC was created to employ local Black theater professionals and tell multifaceted Black stories that go beyond poverty, struggle, or slavery. The collective also formed partnerships with local organizations, such as Flanner House, and created the Education for All program, which provided free theater education classes.

Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.