Walker Theatre Announces its Cultural Arts Season

The Madame Walker Theatre Center is announcing it's first arts season since 2009. The Center went without a President and CEO for one year and took the first year with a new president to gain its bearings. Now with a full time staff and new signature programs underway, the cultural arts center is ready to again be the venue for high quality and unique shows in Indianapolis. First on the list is a partnership with experts among the urban yuppie crowd; Upscale Promotions and ProCircuit. Together the organizations will bring Bilal, a Grammy-nominated neo soul artist, on Friday, August 12th. Just one week later on August 20th, the Walker will host a full concert with Tye Tribbett, famed Gospel singer and songwriter.

The list goes on as a partnership with Indy Jazz Fest with Freda Payne, a jazz vocalist and actress you may have seen in "The Nutty Professor." Ms. Payne graces the historic stage of the Madame Walker Theatre Center with a black-tie tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. Not new to Indiana Avenue is Angela Brown, internationally known opera singer who took Indianapolis by storm with her debut of "Opera from a Sista's Point of View" in 2008. Brown is proud to call Indianapolis home and is thrilled to again perform on the 84 year-old stage.

It's no accident that partnerships and collaborations are the name of the game for the 2011 Season. "It's time for the Walker to cross promote, to build new audiences and to have something for everyone. We can't do this alone. Creating new partnerships within our community is vital," explains Dr. Bailey.
As a featured event on the Spirit and Place Festival schedule, the Walker is proud to announce not only a performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem but a master class, a panel discussion and lecture demonstration. The Ballet Company and Accredited Dance Ensemble will perform live at the Walker on November 10th.

Closing the year with two holiday shows; audiences will enjoy both the Naptown Nutcracker and The Black Nativity. Written by Langston Hughes, The Black Nativity will be produced, directed and performed by Indianapolis artists. Auditions will be held for local actors/actresses right inside of the historic building. "The Walker hasn't produced its own theatrical shows in a very long time. The Black Nativity is the beginning of many in-house productions to come." says Sherri Brown Webster, Director of Rentals and Events.

Details and ticket prices will be posted at www.walkertheatre.com as they are available. Season tickets are available as well as sponsorship opportunities.
The Madame Walker Theatre Center, an internationally recognized National Historic Landmark, preserves and builds upon the entrepreneurial and philanthropic legacy of its namesake by celebrating the best of African American culture and performance arts, by nurturing youth through arts education and by providing a welcoming venue for arts programming and entrepreneurial activities for all cultures in our community and nation.

Find out more at www.walkertheatre.com.