INDIANAPOLIS — As part of our Women's History Month coverage, we take you behind the scenes at the Indiana Repertory Theatre and their their newest production going virtual this week.
The stage play "No. 6" takes you on a real-life journey, touching every emotion.
The pandemic forced the production to go virtual, but the cast still gets up close and personal.
Lead actress Milicent Wright plays Ella, a widowed mother and business owner who is keeping her children safe from racial injustice and police conflict.
"I hope that some of my friends or colleagues go 'Wow, we have never seen you do anything like that before,'" Wright said.
Ella's family crosses paths with an intoxicated white man, played by Michael Stewart Allen. His character, Kelly, brings many twists and turns to the stage.
"Who he is inspires the events of the play and how it affects not only inside but also outside," said Allen.
Behind the scenes of "No. 6," much of the crew are men. But the person calling the shots is director Dawandra Nickole Lampkin, associate professor of acting at Western Michigan University.
"A woman's touch is about the woman's experience. What has lead up to me and my life at this point that will allow the perspective within this story to be focused on," said Lampkin.
Lampkin hopes "No. 6" viewers will experience the anger, frustration, and confusion all acted out on stage under her direction.
"Dawandra is very modest about her directing talent," said Wright, "A director really guides you, ask you questions, prompts you, pushes you."
Lakesha Lorene plays Ella's daughter Felicia and her twin brother Felix is played by Jamaal McCray. The children are learning more about the family business under the protection of their strong mother.
The entire acting team bring years of experience and tons of talent to the play by T.J. Young.
IRT's virtual "No. 6" starts streaming March 11.