Robert Barry Fleming was born in Frankfort, where he first became involved in theater as a child.

Later, he left to explore the world and become engaged in theater and film professionally.

In June 2019, he returned to Kentucky to become the artistic director of Actors Theatre of Louisville.

In an effort to find out a bit more about Fleming and his plans and vision for ATL, I sent him three questions which are the focus of this week’s column.

Fleming’s answers have not been edited.

SUN: What incident or person in your childhood or young adulthood made it clear to you that you should make a profession of the theater? 

RBF: “I was asked to play Travis in an undergraduate production of “A Raisin in the Sun” at Kentucky State University by the brilliant Dr. Winona Fletcher and I was hooked.

“I found a community, a place for expression of the complicated experiences I had already had as a 5 to 6 year old on this planet which I found an absolutely transformational and liberatory artistic encounter.”

SUN: What do you feel you can accomplish at Actors Theatre of Louisville, that would not be possible elsewhere?

RBF: “Great art that has meaningful social impact.

“I believe the Greater Louisville and Kentuckiana ecosystem is a complex one where transdisciplinary partnerships between performing arts organizations and other sectors in our community can release creative solutions to our civic challenges.

“To engage in an intersectional manner is not just possible but wildly exciting to us and our ATL constituents.

“I find that kind of innovation that is a real value proposition here, in a really culturally-specific way.”

SUN: The Dramatists Guild of America and other playwrights advocates have maintained that as the artistic directors of major regional, Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters change that there will be more opportunities for playwrights of color, women, LGBTQ, etc; is in fact creating such opportunities here in Kentucky, here at Actors, is that part of what you hope to accomplish in your tenure at ATL and if so, how will you do that?

RBF: “All the evolving changes of leadership in the 21st Century North American theatrical landscape are extraordinary and are inspiring the possible of innovation in the form and content of our artistic programming and the voices represented.

“We want to assure the art we offer at Actors Theatre reflects the diverse interests and cultural obsessions of our community.

“My tastes are, of course, informed by my social location, education, life experience, etc., and I anticipate our aesthetic cultural worldview as Kentuckians, by birth or choice, will, likewise, be reflected In the art we create and interpret in the years to come.

“I expect that what that will be, will be surprising to many, as the dominant cultural perspective may hold some antiquated ideas of Appalachian/Southern/Midwestern culture.”

Speed Art Museum, Louisville

The exhibit “Tales from the Turf: The Kentucky Horse, 1825 – 1950” at the Speed Museum runs through March 1 in the museum’s North Building.

This is the museum’s first exhibit to reflect all the ways images of the horse have represented the Commonwealth’s identity, history, mythology and agricultural economy from its earliest days through the mid-20th Century.

For more information, visit speedmuseum.org

Explorium, Lexington

Wondering what to do with elementary-age children during their last week of the winter dreak?

Visit the children’s museum in downtown Lexington near Rupp Arena.

The Explorium is a hands-on museum intended for preschool through fifth-grade.

It is the perfect place for youngsters to burn off some energy as they learn about the world around them.

Exhibits include: Around Kentucky (a trip down the Kentucky River); Bubble Zone (learning inside a bubble); Homes Around the World (visit four countries in minutes and learn about the people who live there); and Sketch Pad (a hands-on art exhibit).

Hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily. Admission is $8 for children and seniors and $9 for adults; discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

For more information, call 258-3253 or visit explorium.com.

Bill McCann is a playwright, poet, flash fiction writer, and teacher who writes about arts events and personalities. Reach him at wmccann273@gmail.com.