Host Clarence Boone speaks with the the director McKenya Dillworth and assistant director Kelly Scaggs about the play The Price of Progress: The Indiana Avenue/IUPUI Story, which first premiered March 19, 2019 and was inspired by the book of the same name. It was conceived by IUPUI Multicultural Center Director Khalilah Shabazz and written by Vernon A. Williams, Communication and Community Engagement Strategist for IUPUI. Other members of the cast also participate in tonight’s discussion about this important play about the vibrant history of African American Hoosiers.
The Price of Progress: The Indiana Avenue/IUPUI Story is a two act play about the rich history of Black culture & the evolution of an urban university in the same Indianapolis community. Indiana Avenue stretched from the Central Canal and White River in Naptown. As early as the 1800s, the area was a hub of black culture and achievement. From 1930s through 1950s some of the nation’s most prominent jazz clubs and restaurants lined Indiana Avenue – filled with the music that attracted a “who’s who” of American jazz greats like Nat “King” Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Dinah Washington.
The more notable names of Indiana Avenue music scene from those times arethe greatest jazz guitarist of all time, Wes Montgomery, along with Dave Baker, J.J. Johnson, the Ink Spots, Freddie Hubbard, Slide Hampton, Flo Garvin, Larry Ridley, Jimmy Coe, Pookie Johnson and Noble Sissle, long-time collaborator with Eubie Blake.
The play “The Price of Progress” carries the music, dance and color of those times and continues through the first half century of progress at IUPUI, examining its role to the Avenue. Seating is limited. While there is no cost, tickets are required for admission. They are available online only at Eventbrite. For more on the stage play that salutes and revives the memory of one of the most unsung stories in Black history, contact [email protected] or call either 317.274.8710 or 317.457.8779.
Today’s host is Clarence Boone.
Our show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
Our assistant producer is William Hosea.
Our consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Our program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
Our original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom with additional background tracks by David Baker.