Zack Morris, as Al Dullard, standing, and Wilson Daingkau, as Rudy Kernel, rehearse with others a scene from "Round Dance," the featured play for the Ninth Annual Native American New Play Festival, on May 14 at the Civic Center CitySpace Theatre in Oklahoma City. [Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Archives]

The Native American New Play Festival has announced its separation from it longtime sponsor, Oklahoma City Theatre Company.

The play festival will become the centerpiece of the newly formed Oklahoma Indigenous Theatre Company, according to a news release.

As previously reported, the Native American New Play Festival marked its ninth year in June. Launched in 2010, the Native American New Play Festival showcases new stories for the stage penned by writers who are Native American, First Nations people, Alaska natives, Hawaiian natives and indigenous Mexicans.

This year's featured play, the slice-of-life comedy "Round Dance" by Tulsa Artist Fellow Arigon Starr (Kickapoo and Creek) was the most financially successful Oklahoma City Theatre Company production in five years, according to a news release. It also was awarded a state citation of recognition by Rep. David Perryman.