YOUTHFUL TROUPE DEVELOPS TALENTS

ildren's theater trains those 8 to 21 in skills for stage and life

A lot of Hoosier kids might think they have to go to California or New York to get any real experience in acting, singing or dancing on stage.

But that wasn't the case for Emmy-nominated dancer and choreographer Jeffrey Page, playwright Chrishuanna Johnson and movie actor Mario Locke. All three can trace their entertainment careers back to shared roots at Asante Children's Theatre of Indianapolis.

The theater is in Haughville on Indianapolis' Near Westside, within Christamore House Multiservice Center, 502 N. Tremont St. The nonprofit professional theater -- founded in 1990 by Deborah Asante -- is dedicated to preserving the traditions of African and African-American performing arts. It teaches and mentors about 45 youths a year.

"Asante Children's Theatre has showed me how to believe in myself and to just step up," said Bryona Johnson, 16, who likes to sing, dance and act with the troupe.

Outside the theater, Bryona said she can get discouraged by people's negative comments, but that changes as soon as she steps inside.

Source of strength

"I look at older people and take in what they're telling me, how they say: 'You can do this.' Everybody is always cheering you on here. It's helped me to be a strong person," she said.

The Northwest High School sophomore has been with the troupe only a few months, but it's already made a big impression on her. As an adult, she wants to be a producer or actor in religious movies and plays.

The theater's slogan is "of the community, for the community."

Its academy offers weekly workshops designed to prepare young people to audition and participate in productions. Tuition for a 10- to 12-week session is $175; scholarships are available for children from low- income families.

{mosimage}"We're taking people out of the community, teenagers who are in the community, and putting them on stage," said David Orr, 23, an Asante alumnus who teaches dance and acting, and recently graduated from Indiana State University. He starred in Asante's production of "Who's Yo Daddy?"

Alumni are a key part of the performance company, and about 16 of them are in the Asante Touring Company, which has performed for young people at conferences, schools, churches and cultural events in New York City, Cleveland and Florida.

The other Asante groups are ACT Prep ages 8 to 11, and the ACT Academy for ages 12 to 21.

The theater finds that delinquent behavior declines when young people are involved in the arts.

{mosimage}"I used to get in trouble in school and get bad grades," said Joshua Bruton, 18. "Ms. Asante and my mother got on my case to do better, and so I did.

"Now, after school, I always have some place to go. It keeps me productive and motivated."

Alumni are thriving

Since 2000, the company has been following its graduates. The troupe has tracked 44 youth, all of whom have graduated from high school, including seven who have gotten jobs and seven who have gone into the military. Thirty alumni entered college, and 11 of them have majored in performing arts.

Joshua, a Lawrence Central High School senior, has been interested in performing since he was a preschooler, and has been enchanted by Asante productions for as long as he can remember. Each time he'd see one of the troupe's performances, he'd beg: "Am I old enough yet? Can I get in? Can I get in?" He would sing and rap around his house and even formed his own rap group, selling its CDs in the neighborhood.

"Everybody around my neighborhood knew I could perform, but I didn't have anywhere to (do) it. When I got in here (the troupe), that's when it really started. When I found this, it was a blessing from God."

The academy requires potential members to audition before a panel of judges, who rate a young actor's preparedness, enthusiasm, diction, projection, agility and creativity.

"Ms. Asante usually lets everybody in, because she doesn't hold back talent," Joshua said. "If your talent's not all the way there, by the time you get out (of the group), you're gonna have it all the way."

Not only is the theater committed to helping its actors become more talented, responsible and mature, it also wants to educate audiences.

"All the shows have a message," said Orr, noting that "Who's Yo Daddy?" billed as a "hip hopera," shows that teenage sex isn't all fun and games, because it can lead to parenthood and responsibility before young people are ready. The performance was presented several times earlier this summer and will be repeated in a condensed show late this month and in September.

Past shows have explored racism, civil rights and the importance of knowing your heritage and respecting your elders.

{mosimage}Phillip T. Hughes, who recently moved to Indianapolis from California and is a music producer, plays Bobby in "Who's Yo Daddy?"

Playing against type

"My character is a lustful guy. And that isn't me; I try to stay away from that," said Phillip. "So it is a challenge. It makes it even more of a challenge because to do a role well, you really have to embrace it and really feel that at the moment."

Asante is his aunt, and he hopes to someday "carry the torch" for her and continue as the theater's leader when she wants to retire. He'd also like to help expand the troupe to other locations, including California.

"All I'm trying to do right now is soak up as much (knowledge) as I can, so that when she does pass the torch, I'm ready to hold it down," says the 20-year-old, who hopes to act in movies or TV. "I love working with kids, and I love working in general with people who are artistic and want and seek growth."

For its teen performers, the troupe is synonymous with love and respect.

"Even if you fall, we are going to pick you up, meet you halfway," said Joshua. "It's all about teamwork, and that's what we do here. We're working with each other, growing with each other, and getting better with each other."

_______

What's ahead?

Here are some upcoming Asante Children's Theatre performances:

Hoosier Storytelling Festival: Noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 14, Asante Children's Theatre Stage, Military Park, 601 W. New York St. Deborah Asante, other adult storytellers, and members of the theater's Academy and Touring Company will perform at various times during the festival.

Advance tickets: Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., and Borders stores, $5 ages 4-12; $10 ages 13 and older. At the gate: $6 and $12, respectively.

Haughville Story Fest: Dec. 1-3, Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St. The event features professional and up-and-coming storytellers, and a tall-tale contest. Adaptations of American folktales will be highlights.

Funky '70s Revue, Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., March 1-11, 2007.

Asante Children's Theatre to audition prospective members

Asante Children's Theatre will hold auditions Sept. 9.

Auditions are open to ages 12-21, and there is no charge. Interested individuals must prepare and perform a one- to two-minute memorized monologue, a one- to two-minute dance routine and a song to be sung without musical accompaniment.

Auditions, which must not contain profanity, are held before a three- to five-member panel of impartial observers.

There also are opportunities to join the Asante Touring Company, open to troupe alumni 18 and older who are high school graduates.

Call founder/artistic director Deborah Asante at (317) 297-0020 for more information or an appointment. Appointments are required.

More information about the nonprofit theater company is available at its Web site: www.asantechildrenstheatre.org.

 

Copyright 2006 Y-Press