On Saturday, October 16th, the Midwest Leak Magazine team had the pleasure of attending Indianapolis' first and only theater festival dedicated to black playwrights.
"OnyxFest" was founded by the Sip&Share Wines owner, Nicole Kearney back in 2011. Her desire for OnyxFest comes from the words of the late playwright, August Wilson, a festival that “informs its viewers of the human condition and its power to heal.” OnyxFest is determined to be the vehicle to promote and expose avid theatre goers to the voices and talent of new and emerging African American playwrights. (onyxfest.com)
Nicole Kearney is a playwright, director, and entrepreneur. She founded OnyxFest in 2011 as a joint-venture with IndyFringe Theatre. She is also the founder and owner of the award-winning company Sip & Share Wines. As her industries vary and her resume continues to blossom, Nicole has made it her mission to create community and culture-based experiences that break down barriers for both new majority and women and generate artistic expression of the finest magnitude. (onyxfest.com)
"The Bitter Cup" was eloquently told a story of a black family during the 1960's that struggled with turning life's those lemons into lemonade. It touched on topics of interracial relations, mistreatment of black women, a black father and son dynamic, and more. Check out the director, Charla Booth's story below:
During the 2021 festival season, there were four other black playwrights making the festival hosting five playwrights altogether. Meet the other Playwrights and Directors here.