Wanderer Speaks United has embarked upon a journey in an effort to celebrate marginalized artists in a new way by founding the Black Ink Theatre Company! Founder and CEO Cydnee A. Reese expressed her excitement for the growth and expanding reach of the nonprofit and the continued positive impact it is having on artists and the community at large. The company will initially operate out of Wichita, KS and has expansion to other locations built into the long-term plan. With the founding of the Black Ink Theatre Company, WSUnited intends to make theatre accessible for marginalized creatives.

The mission of this new company is to celebrate Black excellence theatrically and by way of education while making theatre and the knowledge of it— in all aspects of theatre production and management— accessible and monetizable for youth and adults. Local actress Abri Geist points out that, “While Wichita does have many opportunities to be involved in theater, I do think there are some weaknesses. It can be difficult to learn what you need to know if you're new or you haven't gone to college for it. It's even more difficult to get paid for any of it even if you are experienced and know what you're doing. In either case it’s not an easy space to break into.” Black Ink Theatre Company aims to narrow that gap. Local performing artist and Wichita State University Music Theatre graduate Emerson Ross speaks on his, unfortunately common, theatre career journey and experiences sharing, “I started pursuing theatre fresh into young adulthood and was quickly made aware that there were years of opportunities for training and experience many of my peers had that I didn’t even know existed.” While WSUnited makes it very clear that the opportunities it provides are indeed for everyone to be able to take advantage of, there is an unapologetic intentional emphasis on the priority of representation and accessibility for Black people at Black Ink Theatre Company.

Black Ink Theatre Company will produce Black stories; original works by living, independent writers; license and put up works by Black playwrights and allow those involved hands on opportunities to learn about all aspects of theatre. The critical points of focus are independent writers and quality independent productions. Geist confirms the need when she says, “One opportunity that Wichita does not have and sorely needs is a space for original plays. To my knowledge, there is currently no theater, professional or otherwise, that does original works by local playwrights.” There are theaters in Wichita who have put on plays by local playwrights, but it is not any theatre’s main goal and there are no programs available for the development of writers.

Beyond productions, Wanderer Speaks United and the Black Ink Theatre Company will provide workshops, lectures, conferences and various other opportunities. Black Ink is a clear yet tactful name. “Stories are written in black ink on white paper similarly to how Black lives exist in a “white world,” says Reese. Black Ink Theatre Company is a nod to both Blackness and indie writers.

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