Indiana Repertory Theatre

About the Play

Flyin' West
by Pearl Cleage
January 11 – February 4, 2023
OneAmerica Mainstage

Preshow Chats

Before every Signature Six performance, patrons can enjoy a Pre-Show Chat hosted by IRT staff and artists. Pre-Show Chats begin 45 minutes prior to the scheduled performance and last 20 minutes.

OPENING NIGHT

Friday, January 13, 2023 | Performance at 7:30 PM

Raise a glass and cheers to the cast and crew at IRT’s Opening Night! After the show, delight in a champagne toast and a one-time-only chance to explore the set with IRT Artisans (masks required onstage).

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SPONSORED BY FAEGRE DRINKER: RECKONING WITH YESTERDAY (SANKOFA)

Thursday, January 19, 2023 | Following the 7:30 PM performance of Flyin’ West

Black women historians explore the past as a platform for taking up space in the now.

Dr. Ronda Henry - Moderator
Nikki Johnson
Dr. Regina Turner
Dr. Charlene Fletcher

Community Conversation Sponsored by Faegre Drinker: Black in the Now

Saturday, January 21, 2023 | Following the 5 PM performance of Flyin’ West

Activists, academics, and artists discuss how the art of theatre and storytelling is a powerful tool for social change and what we can all do now to show up for Black lives.

Jessica Louise - Moderator
Wyldstyle Pashcall
Nichelle Hayes
Stephen Lane

ASL/AD PERFORMANCE

Sunday, January 22, 2023 | Performance at 2 PM

The IRT offers ASL/AD services to our patrons with vision and hearing needs. Patrons with hearing needs are encouraged to sit in the interpretation zone and meet with the interpreter before the show. We also offer Assisted Listening Devices free of charge at each performance. To learn more visit irtlive.com/accessibility.

Community Conversation Sponsored by Faegre Drinker: Afrofutures (We vs. I)

Sunday, January 22, 2023 | Following the 2 PM performance of Flyin’ West

Thought leaders hold space for Pan-Africanist discourse surrounding the international collective versus the western individual.

Dr. Lasana Kazembe – IRT Ambassador and moderator
Tamara Winfrey-Harris
Danicia Monet Malone
Mariah Ivey

TALK BACK

Wednesday, February 1, 2023 | Following the 7:30 PM performance

Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

Sponsored by Faegre Drinker

TALK BACK

Friday, February 3, 2023 | Following the 7:30 PM performance

Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

Sponsored by Faegre Drinker

the strength of sisterhood

Four brave African American women homesteaders and pioneers settle together in the all-Black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. Fighting a harsh and unforgiving wilderness, they work hard to till the soil and build better lives for themselves. Their courage is tested when an unexpected and deadly threat invades their home in this surprising story set in the Old West.

*Part of IRT's INclusion Series: Celebrating Diverse Storytelling

APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 2 hours and 20 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission

Flyin' West contains profanity, racial and ethnic slurs, and frank discussions about slavery and murder. There are depictions of domestic violence, gun usage, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Recommended for patrons 9th grade and above.

Read the study guide