By John Lyle Belden

The word “asante” is an expression of gratitude used in much of Africa. Here in central Indiana, we are grateful for Deborah Asante and the Asante Art Institute (expanded from her established art and theatre programs in 2018). This treasured local institution helps guide self-discovery and celebrate the African American experience through creative programs and performances.

With the current climax of high school and college basketball under way downtown, Asante focuses on the program that helped change the game far more than most people realize. The historical drama “A Touch of Glory” by Laura Town, directed by Ms. Asante, tells the story of the Crispus Attucks Tigers, the first all-black team in America to win a public high school state championship, taking the title in 1955 and 1956, a team that featured future hall-of-famer Oscar Robertson. It was also the first state title for an Indianapolis squad. This is well known, yet far from the whole story.

We are guided through this story by the “Angel” spirit of Willie Burnley (played by Joshua Short), whose hoop dreams ended after high school, getting his wings from cancer a few years later. He has not only a story to tell, but also an important role in it. He notes that Robertson was known to get a triple-double – double-digit points, rebounds, and assists – nearly every game.

Willie will tell us about Oscar’s two greatest assists.

At the heart of the story is the Tigers’ coach, Ray Crowe (Reggie McGuire), who worked his way up from school janitor and built a team in a school that didn’t even have a proper gym. His determination, confidence and optimism help to win over reluctant and cautious principal Russell Lane (Ennis Adams Jr), as well as his fiancé/wife of saintly patience Betty (Clarissa Michelle), and the boys who played street ball in “The Dust Bowl” – Burnley, Robertson brothers Bailey (Joshua Bruton) and Oscar (Deontà Stark), future Mr. Basketball Hallie Bryant (Bryce Hawthorne) and future Globetrotter Dill Gardner (A’veon Curry), who played barefoot.

The play also features Matthew Brown as sportswriter Bob Collins, who sees more than good story here; Rick Drumm in supporting roles; and Joe Wagner as a couple of less savory persons.

Most impressive are the Cheerleaders – empressnikia, Shelby Brown, Taylor Todd – fitting naturally as a sort of Greek Chorus as well as aiding the story and its atmosphere.

Short gives Burnley, who mostly rode the bench but didn’t seem to mind, an infectious joyful energy that keeps us engaged. This, and the earnest portrayal of Coach Crowe by McGuire, help elevate the by-the-numbers sports hero story to something that feels important beyond its own time and place. Though we know the end, in looking at the story from an early-50s perspective we feel the tensions, imminent threat, and the deafening silence in place of support from other parts of the city and state.

We get an interesting glimpse into the Robertsons: Bruton’s Bailey is brash and vocal, yet focused while on the court. Stark’s Oscar lets his game do the talking and easily comes across as a future legend. Curry as Gardner gives an interesting perspective on the meaning of success under limited options. Keiston Drake plays another Tiger player, and also provides beautiful vocals during a musical moment.

The choreography by Shawn Cowherd extends beyond the cheer routines as the scenes of basketball action move with easy grace and athletic beauty. Clever and functional set design is by Antonio Burks, with costumes by Latoya Adams. AshLee Burks is assistant director, and Kelli Thomas is stage manager.

The Academy provided support on and behind the stage. Credit where due: Kyler Brown, Lamont Swayze, Kawai Castillo, Adina Sconiers, Ava Floyd, Zeruiah Bailey, and Reygan Rucker, with teaching artists Jasmine Robinson and Reno Moore and performance mentor Kiheem Brown.

“A Touch of Glory” has performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as 1 p.m. Saturday (April 2-4) at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis. For tickets, see athenaeumindy.org. Put on some green and gold if you feel like it, and you might even learn the “Crazy Song.”