Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. names Tijideen Rowley as interim artistic director
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.
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.
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