Donna McFadden is directing Red Velvet for Southbank! She’s a board member and a longtime member of the theatre community. If you haven’t met Donna before, learn more about her in the interview below!
Q: Tell us about your background. How long have you been involved in theater?
Donna: I have been doing community theatre since 1985. I was a teacher before I retired and during Covid took theatre classes to add to my theatre license.
Q: What drew you to Southbank Theatre Company?
Donna: I came to Southbank when I saw they were doing Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes by Terry Guest. I thought it was unique that they were doing this. I came to Red Velvet mainly because I did a project that included The African Grove Theatre where Ira Aldridge started out . The African Grove Theatre was opened in 1821 by William Brown, a free Black man. This was six years before slavery was abolished in New York. They did the first all-African-American productions of Shakespeare’s plays, and was an important place for the Black community in New York City. The audience was made up of both African-American and White patrons. The theatre ended up closing after harassment from both the police and it’s White neighbors. It was here that Ira Aldridge got his start.
Q: What can you tell us about the historical significance of the play?
Donna: I think the play is very relevant to today as far as DEI in theatre is concerned. Ira Aldridge was very active in changing the style of acting from Shakespearian to a more emotional performance.
Q: Without giving away anything important, what is your vision for the play?
Donna: My vision for Red Velvet started with the color red. Let’s just say that red has a prominent place in this show. It also includes a play within a play. Not only does the play let us see what things were going on back then socially and politically, but it also helps us to see that those things are still going on. Also, the music that I chose goes with the play very nicely.
Q: What can modern audiences take away from an event that occurred nearly 200 years ago?
Donna: As I said, people will see parallels to DEI. Including Aldridge opening the door for more diversity in theatre. People began to see that people of different races could be included in roles that were not usually given to these people.
Share :
Southbank Theatre Company is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)3. That means every financial contribution is tax deductible! No matter how big or small, your contribution supports theatre artists and the stories they bring to our audiences. With your help, we will be able to build a sustainable, creative company in Indianapolis that will celebrate emerging and established artists from all backgrounds.
