Asante Children's Theatre

Last updated on September 16, 2011

The mission of the Asante Children's Theatre (ACT) is to develop the life skills in youth using performing arts.

Description:
The Asante Children's Theatre serves as an alternative for both at-risk youth who customarily are not involved in mainstream school-based arts programs as well as youth who are enrolled in school-based theatre magnet programs. Our youth come from all over Indianapolis, Marion County Indiana. Their challenges are low self-esteem, poverty, living in a single-parented home, at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, at risk of dropping out of high school, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency; at risk of entering foster care. They lack pride in their culture, family, community and often times are detached from any faith-based institution. Our program builds confidence, instills pride in self, family and community, encourages respect of authority, deters juvenile delinquency, offers family-affordable theatre experiences to an under-served population, creates job, entrepreneurial and philanthropic opportunities, and provides a safe haven for youth development.

History:
Founded in 1990 by Deborah Asante, the Asante Children's Theatre (ACT) was created so that youth who customarily are not involved in mainstream school-based arts programs would have an alternative.

In 2002, the Asante Children’s Theatre revamped its program design into age-specific components: ACT Prep, ACT Academy and ACT Touring Company. The Asante Touring Company has evolved into the primary resource that supports our fee-for-service component. The Touring Company is the employment arm of ACT. Experienced actors or ACT alumni, age 18 to 28, are provided the opportunity to work as teaching artists and performers.

In 2005, Ms. Keesha Dixon was appointed as our Executive Director, bringing her skills and talents to the organization and taking the organization to new levels of professionalism. Her appointment was a giant step toward the overall goals of the organization, i.e., to be the primary African American performing arts organization in the state of Indiana.

Contact people:

Diane Lewis, Executive Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Keesha Dixon, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Deborah Asante, Founder & Artistic Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

502 N Tremont Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46222-0344 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.asantechildrenstheatre.org

Directions:

The Christamore House multi-service center is located on the northwest corner of Michigan Street and Tremont in Haughville. Christamore House is 1/2 mile west of White River Parkway bordered by 10th street (N) and Michigan Street (S).Ample parking is available. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 3 West Michigan Street, 0 minute walk

Last updated on September 16, 2011