Josiah Ray McCruiston
Multidisciplinary Theatre Artist | Director | Playwright | Cultural Consultant
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About
Afrocentric multidisciplinary theatre artist, artsleader, and cultural consultant whose practice braids performance, music, theology, education, and community memory. An award-winning actor and director, McCruiston creates original work that turns ancestral wisdom into urgent contemporary theatre. As Founder and CEO of Grand Griot Productions and Department Chair for Performing Arts at Providence Cristo Rey High School, he builds stages, curricula, and leadership experiences where Black stories are treated as living cultural infrastructure.
Experience
Founder & CEO / Artistic Director - Grand Griot Productions - Indianapolis, Indiana
Develops Afrocentric theatre, new works, artist training, consulting, and community-centered cultural initiatives.
Department Chair for Performing Arts - Providence Cristo Rey High School - Indianapolis, Indiana
(2023-01 - 2026-12)
Leads theatre, music, media, speech, and arts appreciation; directs the performance season; develops curriculum, partnerships, and student pathways.
Youth Director / Pastor & Worship Leader - Witherspoon Presbyterian Church - Indianapolis, Indiana
(2018-01 - 2024-12)
Designs intergenerational worship arts, youth formation, and culturally grounded sacred experiences.
Founder & Program Director - Musical Theatre Summer Camp / Claude McNeal
Leads a professional learning experience for high school artists through masterclasses, rehearsal, mentorship, and showcase performance.
Founder & Program Director - Genre Genius
(2018-01 - 2024-12)
Leads theatre, music, media, speech, and arts appreciation; directs the performance season; develops curriculum, partnerships, and student pathways.
Director - Clyde's
Contemporary ensemble direction rooted in dignity, labor, and liberation.
Director - Fonseca Theatre Company
(2026-01)
Contemporary ensemble direction rooted in dignity, labor, and liberation.
Director & Curator - Indianapolis Black Theater Company (IBTC)
(2026-01)
Curated a four-movement festival of Black solo performance.
Featured Actor - Indianapolis Black Theater Company (IBTC)
(2025-01)
Featured acting engagement in Jordan E. Cooper's acclaimed satire.
Actor - Beef & Boards
(2026-01)
Upcoming professional performance engagement.
Creator & Featured Vocalist - District Theatre
(2025-01)
Original cabaret crossing classical, jazz, blues, gospel, rock, and theatre.
Best Actor - Indy Black Solo Fest
(2025-01)
Finalist - OnyxFest
(2023-01)
Consultant - Forum for Theological Exploration
Project-based consulting work.
Consultant - Duke Educational Leadership Programming
Project-based consulting work.
Actor & DEI Consultant - A.C.T. Out
(2018-01 - 2023-12)
Teaching Artist - Asante Art Institute
Seasonal position.
Teaching Artist - Indy Urban Youth Music Academy
(2020-01 - 2023-12)
Drama Integration Specialist - Indiana Arts Commission / PACE
(2019-01 - 2020-12)
Teaching Artist - Indiana Repertory Theatre
(2018-01 - 2019-12)
Actor / Interpreter - Indiana Historical Society
(2017-01 - 2019-12)
Actor / Interpreter - The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
(2016-01 - 2019-12)
Assistant Event Coach - Ben Davis Speech Team
(2013-01 - 2018-12)
Education
Master's Study - Art Education - Marian University
Bachelor's - Studies in Music Education, Vocal Performance, Communication & Elementary Education - Marian University (2013-01 - 2021-12)
Training - Meisner Acting - Bill Simmons (2019-01 - 2021-12)
Study - Voice - Bill Simmons (2019-01 - 2021-12)
Voice Training - Voice - Various
Study - Multidisciplinary Sacred Arts Work - IU Indianapolis (2018-01 - 2019-12)
