We recently connected with LaKesha Lorene and have shared our conversation below.
LaKesha , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I came up with the idea of creating a hub for Black artists and creatives in the theatre industry through talking with colleagues of mine in Indianapolis. We identified a need that was missing and opportunity for more long term work that was not tapped into for Black actors, artists and administrative professionals in Equity Theatre. Once we heard from the community, my co-leader Latrice P. Young and I began programming and forming the structure we need to do this.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
The Naptown African American Theatre Collective Inc. is Indy’s first Equity theatre the Naptown African American Theatre Collective.
We are the first black owned, run, and professional theatre in the city that is registered with the only union for actors and stage managers, the Actor’s Equity Association. Theatres associated with the Actor’s Equity Association, “Equity theatres” have a system created that ensures artists are paid fairly, with benefits and health coverage.
Our vision for this theatre is to provide an ecosystem of resources (classes, forums, jobs, internships) for theatre creatives of color in the arts and culture space that have not traditionally been afforded long term sustainability.
We’re passionate about adding to the arts and culture of the city by uplifting the beauty, power and humanity of Black stories.
Through empowering, educating and equipping Black artists and arts administrators to lead expansive careers in the arts and provide accessibility in the arts for the youth to the adult we will need to work as a community and we will need the support of the community.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Our story is birthed from resilience. To being a fast huge “overnight” success that is very much still growing and adjusting as needed to make sure we maintain the blessings afforded to us for the community, to finding new ways to build sustainability, we are an artist owned organization with a heart for artists.
Because our organization is the first of its kind in our city, we are creating a new pathway and system.
Our resiliency lies within how quickly we are able to learn from mistakes, turn short comings into learning lessons, and capitalize and focus on what we do best while having the humility to learn from our many leadership mentors and mentoring theatre family companies across the city.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Our theatre is based in community. As the founding artistic director and my co-executive leader who is the director of community engagement (Latrice Young) we realize how important it is for everyone to feel welcome in the theatre space.
And to know no matter their background or experience this is a place to learn, grow, learn accountability and position themselves for success in this industry.
For our audience community we want to always be accessible to them. So we offer tiered pricing with discounts for near northwest residents, students, and groups who want the chance to see our work, or attend educational workshops.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.naatcinc.org/
- Instagram: HTTPS://www.instagram.com/naatcinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naatcinc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naptown-african-american-theatre-collective-inc/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naatcinc
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/naatcinc
Image Credits
The Orange Portrait Photography / Michaela Duerson