Phoenix Theatre Launches Capital Campaign, Unveils New Building Design

Construction of a new Phoenix Theatre will begin in early 2017 at the northwest corner of Illinois and Walnut streets-directly on the Glick Peace Walk of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail-in downtown Indianapolis.

"We are so grateful for the support that has seen our attendance grow more than 70% in the past seven years, but that also means we need a bigger facility, and we are excited to be adding classroom space," said Phoenix Producing Director Bryan Fonseca. "We have seen tremendous support for our capital campaign and are humbled by the generosity of our supporters."

Attendance for Phoenix Theatre productions topped 17,000 for the 2014-15 season, the last for which full figures are available.

In January 2016 the theatre purchased property at the northeast corner of Illinois and Walnut streets, where the Glick Peace Walk of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail crosses Illinois Street. In addition to the two parcels of land where the new theater will be built, the Phoenix acquired a 48-space parking lot directly across Illinois Street. Following a five-month process to select the project architect from an initial pool of 15 firms, the theatre's leadership chose RATIO Architects to design the building.

To date, the theatre has raised almost $5.1 million toward a goal of $8.5 million. Major donors to date include:

• Liva and the late Steve Russell
• Lilly Endowment, Inc.
• The Glick Fund
• The Lumina Foundation
• Frank and Katrina Basile
• Christel DeHaan and the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation
• Nancy & Bill Hunt
• Dorit & Gerald Paul
• Michael & Janie Maurer
• Janet & Bill Taylor and the Taylor Family Foundation

The new building on the 1-acre property will include:

• a 150-seat proscenium theatre
• a configurable black-box theatre with seating for up to 90
• dedicated classrooms and rehearsal studio
• state-of-the-art scene shop and costume shop
• a grand lobby that will open directly onto the Glick Peace Trail-a key stretch of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail
• a special events lounge
• gallery space
• a prep kitchen for catered events and event rentals.

"Our proposed new home (triple the square footage of the current facility) will allow us to present plays concurrently, resulting in the employment of more actors, directors, stage managers, choreographers and designers. The new facility also will allow us to offer more training classes to develop the next generation of talent locally to help stem the tide of young theatre artists leaving to seek training and employment elsewhere. We also are excited about the role our new home will play in anchoring and boosting another neighborhood in transition, increasing arts tourism opportunities, and creating a new and unique destination in our core downtown," Fonseca said.

Several naming opportunities are available for major donors. Three areas of the theatre have been named. The areas (along with suggested gift amounts) are:

The "xx" Collective for the Arts (suggested gift amount) $4,000,000

The "xx" Campus $2,500,000

The Livia & Steve Russell Main Stage (committed gift)

The Frank & Katrina Basile Stage 2 (committed gift)

The Christel DeHaan Grand Lobby (committed gift)

Art Gallery $500,000

Donor Lounge $500,000

Outdoor Patio & Garden $500,000

Signature Wall in Grand Lobby $500,000

Rehearsal Studio, Classroom & Special Events Hall $250,000

The Glick Fund South Façade (committed gift)

The Dorit & Gerald Paul Costume & Prop Shop (committed gift)

Scene Shop $150,000

The Nancy & Bill Hunt Box Office (committed gift)

Administrative Office $100,000

The Nancy & Bill Hunt Actor Dressing Rooms (committed gift)

The Farkas Green Room (committed gift)

There are still naming opportunities left for major donors. For information, contact Bill Simmons, capital campaign manager, (317) 847-0198, orbsimmons@phoenixtheatre.org.

For more information on the Phoenix Theatre visit: www.phoenixtheater.org.

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