Southbank Theatre Company will present Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti, opening April 24 and running Thursdays through Sundays through May 4. The play follows the story of Ira Aldridge, a Black American actor who made theatre history in 1833 when he stepped into the role of Othello at London’s Covent Garden—decades before the abolition of slavery.

Set backstage during a volatile moment in British theatre, Red Velvet looks at who is allowed on stage, how audiences respond to change, and what progress really costs. It’s a play about performance—onstage and off—and the complicated legacy of artists who break barriers.

Directed by Donna McFadden, this production brings a lesser-known chapter of theatre history into focus, asking questions that still resonate today.

“Red Velvet doesn’t just retell history—it examines how we inherit it,” said Artistic Director Marcia Eppich-Harris. “The show fits our mission to produce plays that are interested in history, politics, philosophy and literature—and it’s truly a compelling story!”

Performance Dates: April 24–May 4, 2025 Thursdays–Saturdays: 7:30 PM; Sundays: 2:00 PM

Location: Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN—part of Butler University’s Arts and Events Center.

Tickets: Tickets can be obtained at the Shelton Box Office, which opens two hours prior to curtain on the day of the performance ($29 general admission; $24 for students/seniors/military), in advance at the Clowes Memorial Hall Box Office (Wednesday-Friday, 10am-4pm), or online: https://www.butlerartscenter.org/performances/red-velvet/ Note that Ticketmaster fees only apply to purchases online.