2026 INDY BLACK SOLO FEST - Presented by the Indianapolis Black Theater Company
Schedule
Thu, 29 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
The District Theatre | Indianapolis, IN
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The Indianapolis Black Theater Company (IBTC) proudly announces the 2026 Indy Black Solo Fest, a four-night theatrical experience illuminating the legacy, artistry, and power of Black storytelling. Presented at The District Theatre from January 29th through February 1, 2026, this groundbreaking festival elevates solo performance into a ritual of music, memory, and liberation.Curated around four movements—Roots, Sanctuary, Sisterhood, and Fire—each night features a distinct artistic lens, weaving together cabaret, testimony, concert-style performance, and Afrocentric theatrical aesthetics. With a live band, background vocalists, and culturally rich staging, the festival embodies IBTC’s mission to uplift Black voices and elevate black stories through Love, Excellence, and Support. With the ultimate goal of uplifting humanity!
A Festival Rooted in Purpose
The 2026 Indy Black Solo Fest honors the legacies of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Fred Hammond, Nina Simone, and more. Each performance blends personal narrative with collective memory, cultivating a transformative space where art becomes testimony and music becomes healing. Audiences will witness seven original works that confront history, celebrate identity, and ignite a vision for the future of Black performance.
2026 Indy Black Solo Fest Director is Josiah Ray McCruiston
The festival is directed by Josiah Ray McCruiston, multidisciplinary artist, educator, and founder of Grand Griot Productions, an Afro-centric theatre company dedicated to incubating new works and shaping the future of theatre through collective impact and cultural social capital. His visionary approach to Afrocentric performance aesthetics has shaped programs, institutions, and artists across the Midwest. With a career rooted in cultural storytelling, spiritual grounding, and arts education, McCruiston brings a richly layered, community-centered leadership style to this year’s festival.
An award-winning actor and director, Josiah is the author of numerous plays, including 5 Moods for Black Anguish, an award-winning play and a finalist for the 2023 OnyxFest. He is also the founder of the Musical Theatre Summer Camp, a celebrated program that gives high school students professional experiences with multidisciplinary artists and culminates in a showcase honored by local and regional awards.
As the curator of Afrocentric Approaches to Acting Aesthetics, Josiah has become a sought-after instructor, empowering actors to deepen their craft through Black acting methods rooted in cultural identity and resilience. He has studied urban education and arts integration, vocal performance, and communication at Marian University and IUPUI.
Josiah’s impact extends beyond the stage, as he has performed nationally, collaborated with esteemed institutions such as the Indiana Historical Society, and developed award-winning arts programming across the Midwest. As the department chair of performing arts at Providence Cristo Rey High School, he is a pillar of excellence, fostering brave spaces where creativity and community thrive. A proud son of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, Josiah serves with devotion and has been honored as the 2023 Man of the Year for his unwavering commitment to uplifting others.
2026 Indy Black Solo Fest - Show Lineup
1. MARVIN 4 ERROR
Written & Performed by Reno Moore
Mainstage: Jan 29 – 7:00 PM | Jan 31 – 4:15 PM
A deeply intimate exploration of Marvin Gaye’s legacy and Reno Moore’s own journey toward healing, fame, and truth. Featuring music by Marvin Gaye and Kendrick Lamar.
http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/marvin_4_error_written_and_performed_by_reno_moore/180486
2. SONGS IN THE KEY OF GRENADINE!
Written by & Starring Daren J. Fleming as the magnificent Miss Grenadine Ross
Mainstage: Jan 30 – 7:00 PM | Feb 1 – 4:15 PM
A cabaret revolution led by Miss Grenadine Ross—bold, glamorous, and unapologetically legendary. A masterful blend of history, drag, elegance, and resistance.
http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/songs_in_the_key_of_grenadine_-_performed_by_daren_j._fleming_as_the_magnificent_miss_grenadine_ross/180487
3. BLACK THREAD: SONGS THAT NINA TAUGHT ME
Written & Performed by PsyWrn Simone
Mainstage: Jan 31 – 3:00 PM | Feb 1 – 5:30 PM
A sensuous homage to Nina Simone, exploring the convictions and cost of Blackness through music, spoken word, and ritual.
http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/black_thread_songs_that_nina_taught_me_written_and_performed_by_psywrn_simone/180671
4. DEATH OF A CHURCH BOY
Written & Performed by Jay Fuqua
Mainstage: Jan 31 – 5:30 PM | Feb 1 – 3:00 PM
A gripping journey of faith, identity, and revelation, set against the music of Fred Hammond, Fleetwood Mac, and Rihanna.
http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/`death_of_a_church_boy`_written_and_performed_by_jay_fuqua/180488
5. DARING TO DREAM
Written & Performed by Komoca
Mainstage: Jan 29 – 8:15 PM | Jan 30 – 8:15 PM
Through the inspiration of Aretha Franklin, Charlene uncovers truth, purpose, and courage during the biggest musical tour of her life.
http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/daring_to_dream_written_and_performed_by_komoca/180489
6. FACING IT FACE TO FACE WITH DOLLFACE
Written & Performed by Teresa Reynolds
Mainstage: Jan 31 – 6:45 PM | Feb 1 – 6:45 PM
A vibrant, humorous, and deeply human exploration of identity, aging, and truth—framed by the music of Babyface.
http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/facing_it_face_to_face_with_dollface_written_and_performed_by_teresa_reynolds/180670
7. THE KITCHEN TABLE
Written & Performed by Curtis D. Shepard
Brian Payne Theatre: Jan 31 – 4:15 PM | Feb 1 – 5:30 PM
A rich and evocative meditation on family, memory, and the stories carved into the wood grain of time.
http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/`the_kitchen_table__written_and_performed_by_curtis_shepard/180485
TICKET INFORMATION
General Admission: $25 (plus processing fee)
Student/Senior Tickets: $15 (plus processing fee)
Flex Pass — Access to 6 Solo Shows: $99 (plus processing fee) http://indydistricttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/flex_pass_$99_-_black_solo_fest/181212
Tickets available at: https://www.indianapolisblacktheatercompany.com/season-tickets
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Where is it happening?
The District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave,Indianapolis, Indiana, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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