Westfield resident Tijideen Rowley has been appointed Director of Professional Training and Development at The District Theatre (TDT) in Indianapolis.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded $350,000 to TDT to be spent over three years to help create a professional training and development hub within the theatre for Black and Brown theatre artists and technicians and to produce six plays by Indiana playwrights.
The six plays would celebrate the vivid heritage of Indiana Avenue, dubbed “The Harlem of the Midwest,” for its thriving culture of Black-owned businesses, performing arts and educational influence. The plays would explore the impact of displacement and gentrification in Indianapolis as well as the legacy of achievement created by some of the most renowned educators and jazz musicians of the 20th Century.
“He is uniquely positioned to implement this program through strong connections and working relationships with many of the leaders, creators, playwrights, producers and actors in the Indianapolis arts community,” Board Chair Patrick Jesse said.
Rowley brings 15 years of leadership, performance, and technical experience from working consistently in Indianapolis. He is the CEO and founder of Actor’s Café, a training and skills development program, which also develops creative pathways to put actors to work. He is also Head of Media and Marketing for Community Church Indy.
“I am excited to be part of a free program which recognizes the importance of building skill sets and resumes, celebrating and acknowledging the achievement of emerging artists, trail blazers and leading lights at all stages of career development,” Rowley said. “Participating in this program can help reward an artist and give them a recognized marketing tool and help create a clearer and more robust career path.”
Rowley has a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Indiana University and a master’s degree in business administration from Boise State University
Learn more at IndyDistrictTheatre.org.