Indianapolis – The District Theatre’s mainstage will showcase a brand‑new production, “The Griot,” from August 28‑30. Written by Indy‑based playwright and former journalist Celeste Williams, the play blends time travel, West African storytelling traditions and the storied history of the Indianapolis Recorder, the nation’s oldest continuously published Black newspaper.
Local talent brings Black history to the stage
Williams, a Ball State University journalism graduate who spent years reporting for the Indianapolis Star, turned to playwriting after retiring from the newsroom. Her deep‑rooted interest in Black history inspired a script that follows two high‑school friends, Malcolm and Rosa, as they research the 131‑year‑old newspaper for a school project. Their journey—punctuated by a hint of time travel—introduces audiences to historic figures such as Madam C. J. Walker, Oscar Robertson and local activist Eunice Trotter.
“Being African American myself, I knew the Recorder was more than a newspaper; it’s a cornerstone of our community,” Williams said. “I wanted to tell that story in a way that’s both entertaining and informative.”
Community‑focused development program backs the production
The play was developed through the Black Light Training and Development program, a Mellon Foundation‑funded initiative that offers cost‑effective workshops in acting, directing, dancing, playwriting and technical theatre to Black and brown residents of Indianapolis. New cohorts enroll each spring and fall, culminating in the staging of a fresh work like “The Griot.”
Director Ronni Watts guides the young cast
Director Ronni Watts worked closely with the cast from the first table read, shaping dialogue, movement and the emotional depth required to convey the play’s themes of racism, adversity, mental‑health awareness and the importance of preserving one’s heritage. “We have two teenagers trying to navigate who they are versus who society expects them to be,” Watts explained. “Seeing historic Hoosier figures appear onstage helps them—and the audience—understand the legacy they inherit.”
Tickets and performance details
“The Griot” will be performed at 7 p.m. on August 28 and 29, with a 4 p.m. showing on August 30, at the District Theatre Mainstage, 627 Massachusetts Avenue. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through the theatre’s online portal.
Williams hopes attendees leave with a deeper appreciation for the Recorder’s role in shaping Black Indiana and a renewed sense that “knowing what has come before helps us move forward.” Watts adds that the production aims to inspire young Black and brown Hoosiers to chase their dreams, emphasizing that strong interpersonal relationships and mental‑health support can save lives.
Why the story matters locally
Beyond entertainment, “The Griot” serves as a cultural touchstone for Indianapolis, reminding residents of the city’s rich Black heritage and the enduring contributions of its pioneers. By spotlighting a historic Black newspaper and the neighborhoods that nurtured it, the play reinforces the community’s commitment to honoring its past while empowering the next generation.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
