Two weeks after Founding Artistic Director Ben Rose resigned his post amid charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident, the Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. has named Tijideen Rowley as interim artistic director, according to the theater.

Rowley is the director of training and development for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant that provides professional theater training at The District Theatre, where IBTC is a resident. The educational hub funded by the grant also offers a platform for developing plays related to Indiana Avenue’s history. Rowley holds a theater degree from Indiana University and an MBA from Boise State University.

Rose resigned March 10 after he was charged with felony strangulation, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury on March 5 by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office after a late February incident in which he allegedly attacked a woman at his home.

An initial hearing for the case is scheduled for April 9.

More: Ben Rose, Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. director, resigns after domestic violence charges

Rose was selected in 2023 as the first artistic director of the new IBTC, a theater that launched with a $1.9 million investment from groups including the Central Indiana Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment.

Rowley will begin his leadership tenure at the company by reviewing and restructuring the 2025 season with community input, according to the release. After Rose resigned, IBTC postponed the production of “Ain’t No Mo’,” which will now run from June 27 to July 13. Rowley also will focus on longterm growth and artist and community relationships, the theater said in a Sunday night news release.

“IBTC is focused on telling Black stories that challenge, inspire, and unite audiences. As we move forward, my focus is on strengthening our foundations and deepening our connection to the community,” Rowley stated in the release. “My vision, in line with the board, is to elevate IBTC into a marquee theatre company for Black storytelling—one that sets the standard in Indianapolis and beyond.”

IBTC also announced board changes in another release sent Sunday night. Board members Rich Trotman and Ira Mallory have resigned. New appointments include the Rev. Dr. Shonda Nicole Gladden, the District Theatre board’s vice chair and CEO of Good to the Soul, LLC, and Karen Dace, vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at IU Indianapolis. 

Senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo contributed to this report.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Sign up here for the newsletter she curates about things to do and ways to explore Indianapolis. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

Indianapolis will host an NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday and Sunday, March 28 and 30, 2025. Houston, Purdue, Tennessee and Illinois/Kentucky made the Sweet 16. The last team standing earns a spot in the Final Four, April 5 and 7 in San Antonio.

Here’s how you can secure a ticket and lodging in Indianapolis for the NCAA Tournament regional.

When are the NCAA Tournament games in Indianapolis? When are the NCAA Tournament games at Lucas Oil Stadium?

• Tennessee vs. Kentucky, 7:39 p.m. ET Friday, March 28
• Houston vs. Purdue, 10:09 p.m. ET Friday, March 28
• Regional championship game is Sunday, March 30, time TBA

NCAA Tournament tickets at Lucas Oil Stadium

Buy Sweet 16, Elite 8 tickets

All sessions: Start at $443 on StubHub

Friday, March 28: Starting at $194 on StubHub

Sunday, March 30: Starting at $127 on StubHub

Buy Purdue NCAA Tournament tickets

Lodging for the NCAA Tournament regional in Indianapolis

Rooms start at $95 a night on Expedia

Airbnb for March Madness regional in Indianapolis

Rooms start at $40 on Airbnb

How likely is Houston to win March Madness?

The Houston Cougars (32-4) are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Regional and have won 15 consecutive games. They own the nation’s best defense, allowing 58.4 points per game and 38.4% shooting. Houston is the nation’s best 3-point shooting team (39.8%), though it doesn’t shoot many, and it protects the ball (9.2 turnovers, 6th fewest). The Cougars were national runners-up in 1983 and ’84 have been to the Final Four seven times, most recently in 2022.

Houston basketball key players

Houston basketball coach

Kelvin Sampson is in his 11th season at Houston and owns a 296-83 record. He previously coached at Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana.

Houston NCAA Tournament schedule

First round: Houston 78, SIU-Edwardsville 40

Second round: Houston 81, Gonzaga 76

Has Purdue basketball ever made the Final Four?

The Purdue Boilermakers reached last season’s national championship game, losing to UConn. They were the national runner-up in 1969 and made the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. The No. 4 Midwest Regional seed lost six of its last nine games leading into the NCAA Tournament but won its March Madness games handily.

Purdue basketball key players

Purdue basketball coach

Matt Painter is in his 20th season at Purdue and owns a 471-214 record. He previously coached at Southern Illinois.

Purdue NCAA Tournament schedule

First round: Purdue 75, High Point 53

Second round: Purdue 76, McNeese 62

Has Tennessee ever made it to the Final Four?

The Tennessee Volunteers (29-7) seek their first Final Four trip. Purdue defeated Tennessee in a 2024 regional championship game. The Volunteers finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference, which sent a record 14 teams to March Madness. They have a stingy defense, allowing 62.9 points per game (No. 6 in the nation) and 38.2% shooting (No. 1) and 28.3% 3-point shooting (No. 3). They lost twice to Kentucky this season.

Tennessee men’s basketball NCAA Tournament schedule

First round: Tennessee 77, Wofford 62

Second round: Tennessee 67, UCLA 58

Tennessee basketball coach

Rick Barnes is in his 10th season at Tennessee, and owns a 231-108 record. He previously coached at George Mason, Providence, Clemson and Texas.

Tennessee basketball key players

Why is Kentucky basketball so popular?

The Kentucky Wildcats (24-11) are a true college basketball blue blood, with eight NCAA Tournament championships, second to UCLA. UK last won the title in 2012. This season’s Wildcats average 85.0 points per game (No. 4 in the nation) and have six players averaging in double figures. Their depth shows in their 45-point average in second halves (also No. 4). They have beaten Tennessee twice this season.

Kentucky basketball NCAA Tournament schedule

First round: Kentucky 76, Troy 57

Second round: Kentucky 84, Illinois 75

Kentucky basketball coach

Mark Pope is in his first season at Kentucky. He previously coached Utah Valley and Brigham Young.

Kentucky basketball key players

What channel are NCAA Tournament games in Indianapolis on?

TV: Games are on CBS, with Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Bill Raftery and Grant Hill (analysis), and Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporting)

Watch the games with a free Fubo trial

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — David Hodges, a deputy sheriff at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested Saturday for drunk driving.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday, that Hodges was arrested by the Lawrence Police Department March 22.

Hodges arrested and taken to jail for operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment, reckless driving causing property damage, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC above .08%.

MCSO said in the press release that Hodges has been terminated following the arrest.

Hodges’ initial hearing is set for April 7.

This is a developing story.