Phoenix Theatre is on the Rise as Progress is Made on New Venue

Anyone who has driven down Illinois Street lately couldn't have missed the beautiful new future home of Phoenix Theatre! The Phoenix is RISING on the Indianapolis skyline, and all is on schedule to open on time in early May with the 400th Phoenix production, a musical, God Bless, You, Mr. Rosewater with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, and additional lyrics by Dennis Green, based on the Kurt Vonnegut book of the same name. The new, 20,000 square foot Cultural Centre is a world-class building, a place to create and produce thoughtful theatre. Producing Director Bryan Fonseca has consistently delivered new works and high quality productions that engage our community-emotionally, intellectually, socially, and politically-and will continue to do just that with his team in the new facility. But the new Phoenix has more to offer than our Popular Productions. We will provide enhanced community arts enrichment, educational programs, and top notch theatrical productions in a beautiful, city-central setting.

"From its inception, The Phoenix Theatre has confronted the social issues of our times. Indianapolis is remarkably fortunate to have the Phoenix, and this new facility will help the theatre further influence the opening of our community's hearts and minds." -John Mutz, Civic Leader

With the high quality artistic excellence for which the Phoenix is known, the Cultural Centre will:

Allow for more performances of new works produced simultaneously on two intimate stages

· Expand current training program for working professionals to include young adult training

· Meet the needs of growing communities and our underserved low-income population through a much wider range of community outreach on and off campus

· Develop artistic partnerships and nurture of young and up-and-coming theatre companies by providing a home for rehearsals and performances

· Present new international folk-music, spoken word, and town hall series

· Serve as a community and cultural centre directly on the Glick Peace Walk-a key stretch of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail

The new Phoenix Theatre will also create new job opportunities, fuel economic development and revitalize another neighborhood in transition

Additional staff at Phoenix will facilitate this new programming and broader business plan. Kevin Kruse, who joined the Phoenix team in fall of 2017 as the new Managing Director, was hired with specific business expertise to oversee the administrative operations. "The move to Illinois Street will fundamentally change Phoenix Theatre in the years to come-not simply because of the building's enhanced footprint and amenities, but because Phoenix's role in Indianapolis, and in the arts community specifically, will change significantly," Kruse said of the new building. He went on:

"We will, of course, continue to produce the edgy, contemporary theatre we are known for; however, the move will see us become an incubator and mentor for fledgling theatre companies, providing them with a home where they can produce in a supportive environment while also providing some of the infrastructure that often prevents the creation of new companies in the first place. That will lead to more paid opportunities for local artists. Our expanding professional training and educational programs, which lacked room to grow in our Park Avenue facility, will have classrooms and space to flourish. Community outreach will take place on and off campus. There's so much more than can be said. Phoenix Rising!"

Phoenix Theatre exists to challenge the mind, touch the heart, and inspire the human spirit.

To post a comment, you must register and login.