The Indianapolis Black Theater Company presents the Indy Black Solos Festival January 24th, 25th, 26th at the District Theatre (627 Mass Ave 46204) featuring performing artists from Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Cincinnati. Two Stages, four unique shows! Individual tickets $25 or get a Flex Pass and see them all for just $60. See show descriptions and ticket info below!
Paris Crayton III
Bloodline: The multi-generational love story of three men with the same name
Bloodlineis a one-man, semi-autobiographical love story told from the perspectives of three generations of men with the same name. Paris Sr., a sharecropper in Mississippi, meets the beautiful Ruth one night at a juke joint and goes on a relentless pursuit to make her fall in love with him. Paris Jr., an animal technician, welcomes his new son into the world and navigates love and life as he struggles with his new fatherly duties and second thoughts about his marriage. Paris III, a starving artist, searches for love in multiple relationships and cities.
Paris Crayton III is an award-winning playwright, actor, and director. Named one of ArtsATL’s “30 Under 30” and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Artist to Watch,” he was part of Mara Brock Akil’s spring 2023 cohort of The Writer’s Colony and the 2023/24 cohort of The Writers Room at the Geffen Playhouse. Critics have hailed him as “a powerful dramatist” and “one of the most important playwrights of our time.” His award-winning solo shows have toured internationally, and his plays have been presented or workshopped by The Geffen Playhouse, Classical Theatre of Harlem, NewYorkRep, Aurora Theatre, Congo Square, Rising Sage Theatre, Orlando Shakes, and more. For more information, visit www.ParisCrayton.com.
Curtis D. Shepard
The Kitchen Table
Two things you need in life: Grey haired friends to translate shit and an old kitchen table. Preferably, a wooden one where grooves made by Big Mama’s old butcher knives reveal a journey. Burns from Papa’s unattended cigarettes say rest and listen. Blood spilled by uncles and rubbed in by auntie’s reminds you there’s a toll. Coated by mama and daddy’s teardrops poured out over time like lacquer, sealing in the wisdom of ancestors. The kitchen table is where some truths are buried, and others come to life.
Curtis is an actor, writer, spoken word artist, professional storyteller and founder of the grass roots, non-profit support group for dads, D.A.A.M. -Supporting Moms with More than Money.He debuted his one man show, ‘Sidewaze Rain’ in 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park but made its world premiere at the Indianapolis Onyx Festival. As a resident artist at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, in 2023, he dazzled audiences with his one-person show, ‘UnMasked’ and worked as a guest artist at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.Curtis worked with The Cincinnati Playhouse in The Park for ‘Upstanders Onstage’, The Falcon Theatre for ‘Black Voices’ and the extremely creative minds of The Breath Project where actors from across the country pulled together to be a part of his production, “Get Off Of Me’,at the 1st Pacific Northwest Multi Cultural Readers Series & Film Festival in 2021.As a playwright, Curtis is developing his own unique voice by combining raw, unapologetic storytelling, humor, and spoken word poetry in his new works, ‘Ronnie and Vince’, ‘The Kitchen Table’ and ‘DAAM…the Stage Play’.
Les Kurkendaal-Barrett
The Real Black Swann Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen
The true story of William Dorsey Swann. He was a former slave who became the Queen of Drag in the 1800’s. He fought racism, homophobia and became the first gay activist.
Les Kurkendaal-Barrett is an actor and comedian who has toured internationally with his award-winning autobiographical solo storytelling shows. He has toured Fringe Festivals around the world. He has performed standup at The Comedy Store and The Improv. Also a member of the long-running Story Salon in Los Angeles, he has also been a featured performer with The Moth mainstage. He Can be seen in the films The Lost Cause, Boychick, Bro What Happened and Alibi. He is represented for Commercials by Bicoastal Management. Facebook @leskurkendaal-barrett, Instagram @kurkendaal
Tasha Jones
Daughter of the King
DOTK is a reflective journey of four women trying to hold fast to the wisdom of their lineage, the King’s decree, while battling societal ills, tests, trials, laws, loss, and love. Tasha Jones embodies the spirit of ancestry and futurity, channeling the strength of generations, tracing the lineage of the King’s daughter through the bowels of oppression with an indomitable spirit of survival in a powerful performance that blends storytelling, poetry, art, spirituality, and song. This evocative journey takes you through four pivotal epochs—Pyramids, Plantations, Projects, and Penitentiaries—highlighting a narrative of recovery and resilience that resonates deeply.
The performance’s power lies in its transformative ability to honor the past, inspire the present, and guide the future. It symbolizes and acknowledges the ancient power of the spoken word and the ability to transform any environment, including enslavement, medical experimentation, and incarceration. The show’s magic reveals the divine panoply of God, shields the soul and spirit, transcending systemic oppression and the tyranny of each era—Pyramids, Plantations, Projects, and Penitentiaries. It offers a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the unshakable promise of spiritual guidance and protection.
The audience is not a passive observer but an integral part of the transformative journey of reflection and reclamation, which is DOTK. The performance beckons us to remember that the divine essence within us remains unbowed and that the soul, shielded by the sacred, will always prevail.
The Indianapolis Black Theater Company presents the Indy Black Solos Festival January 24th, 25th, 26th at the District Theatre (627 Mass Ave 46204) featuring performing artists from Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Cincinnati. Two Stages, four unique shows! Individual tickets $25 or get a Flex Pass and see them all for just $60. See show descriptions and ticket info below!
Paris Crayton III
Bloodline: The multi-generational love story of three men with the same name
Bloodlineis a one-man, semi-autobiographical love story told from the perspectives of three generations of men with the same name. Paris Sr., a sharecropper in Mississippi, meets the beautiful Ruth one night at a juke joint and goes on a relentless pursuit to make her fall in love with him. Paris Jr., an animal technician, welcomes his new son into the world and navigates love and life as he struggles with his new fatherly duties and second thoughts about his marriage. Paris III, a starving artist, searches for love in multiple relationships and cities.
Paris Crayton III is an award-winning playwright, actor, and director. Named one of ArtsATL’s “30 Under 30” and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Artist to Watch,” he was part of Mara Brock Akil’s spring 2023 cohort of The Writer’s Colony and the 2023/24 cohort of The Writers Room at the Geffen Playhouse. Critics have hailed him as “a powerful dramatist” and “one of the most important playwrights of our time.” His award-winning solo shows have toured internationally, and his plays have been presented or workshopped by The Geffen Playhouse, Classical Theatre of Harlem, NewYorkRep, Aurora Theatre, Congo Square, Rising Sage Theatre, Orlando Shakes, and more. For more information, visit www.ParisCrayton.com
Curtis D. Shepard
The Kitchen Table
Two things you need in life: Grey haired friends to translate shit and an old kitchen table. Preferably, a wooden one where grooves made by Big Mama’s old butcher knives reveal a journey. Burns from Papa’s unattended cigarettes say rest and listen. Blood spilled by uncles and rubbed in by auntie’s reminds you there’s a toll. Coated by mama and daddy’s teardrops poured out over time like lacquer, sealing in the wisdom of ancestors. The kitchen table is where some truths are buried, and others come to life.
Curtis is an actor, writer, spoken word artist, professional storyteller and founder of the grass roots, non-profit support group for dads, D.A.A.M. -Supporting Moms with More than Money.He debuted his one man show, ‘Sidewaze Rain’ in 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park but made its world premiere at the Indianapolis Onyx Festival. As a resident artist at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, in 2023, he dazzled audiences with his one-person show, ‘UnMasked’ and worked as a guest artist at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.Curtis worked with The Cincinnati Playhouse in The Park for ‘Upstanders Onstage’, The Falcon Theatre for ‘Black Voices’ and the extremely creative minds of The Breath Project where actors from across the country pulled together to be a part of his production, “Get Off Of Me’,at the 1st Pacific Northwest Multi Cultural Readers Series & Film Festival in 2021.As a playwright, Curtis is developing his own unique voice by combining raw, unapologetic storytelling, humor, and spoken word poetry in his new works, ‘Ronnie and Vince’, ‘The Kitchen Table’ and ‘DAAM…the Stage Play’.
Les Kurkendaal-Barrett
The Real Black Swann Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen
The true story of William Dorsey Swann. He was a former slave who became the Queen of Drag in the 1800’s. He fought racism, homophobia and became the first gay activist.
Les Kurkendaal-Barrett is an actor and comedian who has toured internationally with his award-winning autobiographical solo storytelling shows. He has toured Fringe Festivals around the world. He has performed standup at The Comedy Store and The Improv. Also a member of the long-running Story Salon in Los Angeles, he has also been a featured performer with The Moth mainstage. He Can be seen in the films The Lost Cause, Boychick, Bro What Happened and Alibi. He is represented for Commercials by Bicoastal Management. Facebook @leskurkendaal-barrett, Instagram @kurkendaal
Tasha Jones
Daughter of the King
DOTK is a reflective journey of four women trying to hold fast to the wisdom of their lineage, the King’s decree, while battling societal ills, tests, trials, laws, loss, and love. Tasha Jones embodies the spirit of ancestry and futurity, channeling the strength of generations, tracing the lineage of the King’s daughter through the bowels of oppression with an indomitable spirit of survival in a powerful performance that blends storytelling, poetry, art, spirituality, and song. This evocative journey takes you through four pivotal epochs—Pyramids, Plantations, Projects, and Penitentiaries—highlighting a narrative of recovery and resilience that resonates deeply.
The performance’s power lies in its transformative ability to honor the past, inspire the present, and guide the future. It symbolizes and acknowledges the ancient power of the spoken word and the ability to transform any environment, including enslavement, medical experimentation, and incarceration. The show’s magic reveals the divine panoply of God, shields the soul and spirit, transcending systemic oppression and the tyranny of each era—Pyramids, Plantations, Projects, and Penitentiaries. It offers a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the unshakable promise of spiritual guidance and protection.
The audience is not a passive observer but an integral part of the transformative journey of reflection and reclamation, which is DOTK. The performance beckons us to remember that the divine essence within us remains unbowed and that the soul, shielded by the sacred, will always prevail.