Indianapolis Black Theatre Company to premiere “Toni Stone”

A new Black theater is premiering their first show this week. The Indianapolis Black Theatre Company (IBTC), which premiers its first show of its inaugural season “Toni Stone” Sept. 19-Oct. 6, is here to create sustainable theater for the Black community. Operating out of the District Theatre, The Indianapolis Black Theatre Company aims to not only be a space to support Black actors but offer training and economic structure for Black theater professionals — including directors, playwrights, lighting and sound technicians while creating sustainability and working closely with other local organizations.  “There needed to be an organization that could help with training and support and providing economic structure for people who wanted to do this professionally … but it was exclusively focused on the Black community,” founding artistic director Ben Rose said. “In order for us to grow this whole scene, there are several different theater companies and cultural arts organizations that need to work together to create that scene.” “Toni Stone” follows the life and legacy of the legendary Hoosier Toni Stone, who was the first woman to play professional baseball in the men’s major league and the first Black woman to play for the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro...