We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful McKenya Dilworth Smith . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with McKenya below.

Hi McKenya, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The Morning Bishop Theatre’s Language Immersion Program launch in 2021 was significant. The convergence of all of my loves merging at the intersection of my professional endeavors with teaching was a perfect alchemy. Spearheading a citywide Language Immersion Program in Gary is filled with rewards and challenges. Convincing leadership at area schools that need exposure to World Languages beyond Spanish is often received as an attack on that language. It simply is not. Exposure to German specifically is an opportunity to tap into the people in Indiana and surrounding States like Wisconsin and Michigan, who speak the language and hold Stammtisch (an informal gathering of native and novice German speakers ). Black children must see their reflection in the World Language instructional space, which is why our trip in November 2022 was so impactful. I made good on my promise of taking some of my German student scholars to Bremen, Germany. They could practice their language skills, immerse themselves in the culture, and experience what we had only read about in class and workshops. We are on track to take up to 10 youths this year in November.

McKenya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Dilworth Smith is an innovator, educator, community activist, youth advocate, skilled grant writer and creative (playwright, director and novice filmmaker, with her web series Dating While…). Dilworth is an award winning playwright, and views the arts as tools of empowerment. Her plays KUL’CHA and Contemporary Scenes of Age Old Ills (satirical scenes) were selected from hundreds of submissions to be included in the Legendary Negro Ensemble Theatre New Works Series (dramatically read) in March of 2015 at the Signature Theatre in New York City. Ms. Dilworth-Smith has performed and produced shows that she has written throughout the Midwest and internationally: including Belgium, Poland, Brazil, Japan and England. She founded the Theatre of Purpose (TOP), a performance ensemble theatre that uses the live performing arts as a platform for how to seriously raise and discuss social action and change.

Dilworth-Smith has served as the Executive Director of the oldest continuing community theatre in Gary, Indiana which her mother, Morning Bishop founded, Artist in Residence for the New Directional Players at Purdue University in Indiana, Company Manager for the famed Negro Ensemble Company in New York City and Creative Writing Instructor at the renowned Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. She taught Theatre Arts and German at the TC Williams Satellite Campus and has taught as an adjunct faculty member at NOVA Community College in Alexandria, Virginia and Ivy Tech Community College (Valpo & Lafayette). Under Dilworth-Smith’s direction, the theatre has traveled to West Yorkshire England twice and has a permanent theatre home in the city of Gary in collaboration with sister organization, Gary Art Works.

Her undergraduate degrees are in Theatre and German (Simpson College, Iowa and University of Salzburg, Austria) Masters in Education and a PhD Candidate for Organizational Management and Leadership (both online, University of Phoenix). As eclectic as her educational achievements, her community involvement and achievements are as well. She is an Indiana Arts Commission On The Ramp Fellow (2021-2022), former TEACH Plus Indiana Policy Fellow (2021), Green Olive Arts Residency Recipient (Morocco, Africa, Date TBD due to COVID), past recipient of the La Mama Playwright Retreat (Spoleto, Italy Summer 2018), 2021 Teacher of the Year for 21st Century Charter School, 2022 AATG Teacher of the Year for German (Rising Star Category), NWI Influential Woman Association Woman of Influence Nominee 2022 and Gary Trailblazer-Community Impact Nominee 2022.

Dilworth credits her parents (Morning Bishop-Dilworth and McKinney Dilworth) for her love of learning and community-building. She continues the legacy of her mother’s community theatre, The Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse, Inc. with the annual flagship events and programming such as the Al Boswell PLAYFEST, The MLK Community Summit, STREAM & (award winning, inducted into the Society of Innovators because of the invention of the BISHOPBOXES at Purdue University) BISHOPBOXES Arts & Youth Entrepreneurship After School Programming and of course a full PLAYGARY season with the MBTP AQUINAS & EC Ensemble Players.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

There needs to be a mind shift regarding the relevance and usage of the arts and creative people. Creativity is the highest level of thinking, and it is the application of learning, so the American attitude toward the arts and artists is troubling. It is worrisome because the arts and artists are treated with afterthoughts and no significance. Artists have contributed to the thinking landscape of this country by providing thoughtful commentary on the progression or regression of the times in books, plays, movies, and the visual arts. From Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin shining light on the darkness of slavery to Gorman’s poetic address at the inauguration ceremony of President Biden, the arts and those who create art in all forms should be considered valuable contributors to society.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

People who do not consider themselves creative struggle with creatives because we often do more than one thing and do it well. There have been numerous times when a Human Resources Manager has looked at my resume and simply put it aside because they did not understand that I am capable in various areas. I would have to provide the common thread of my experiences so that HR professionals would not discount me as a viable candidate.

As creatives, we must clarify our direction, skills, and abilities to contribute to the larger spaces and areas of life. If we do not work and create in isolation, then the larger society may become accustomed to the art and art-making makers of art so that we are no longer anomalies.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theatreofpurpose.wixsite.com/mckenya-dilworth/about
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