The Phoenix Theatre Celebrates 30th Anniversary Weekend, 9/28-29

The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis has announced the 30th anniversary of the theatre. Events will be happening all season, but the last weekend in September will be a celebration of past, present and future board members, artists, staff and founders.

“It’s been 30 years in the making and the goal is to see as many old friends as possible,” says Producing Director and Phoenix founder Bryan Fonseca. “Revisiting moments in our past puts the present in perspective and we can move forward with a renewed sense of community and a vision of the future.”

The Phoenix hopes to see many old friends throughout the weekend with several special events scheduled specifically to bring founders, artists, board members and staff together at the theatre.

30th Celebration Weekend

Friday, September 28

8:00 pm - Performance of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson in the Livia and Steve Russell Theatre (regular ticket prices)

9:30 pm - Reception in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre featuring artists from past Phoenix Productions. (free) (beer/wine/snacks, music and catching up)

Saturday, September 29

2:30-3:30 pm - A lively Q&A in the Russell Theatre with Phoenix artists throughout the years, moderated by IBJ Arts & Entertainment Editor Lou Harry. (free)

4:00-8:00 pm - Family picnic on the lawn across the street (music, picnic food and games) (free to Phoenix artists, board members, designers and staff and their families)

9:30 pm - Reception held at the Arch at Chatham Gallery (music, dancing and cocktails) ) (free to Phoenix artists, board members, designers and staff)

These events are a thank you for helping to make this place a success. We will conduct video interviews throughout the day on Saturday, so come prepared to share your memories!

30th Anniversary Committee The committee has been meeting for more than 6 months and is made up of artists, designers, actors and board members – all lead by Producing Director Bryan Fonseca. Other members include: Melanie Price (former Board Chair)-Committee Chair, Deb Shaver, Diane Timmerman, Chuck Goad, Martha Jacobs, Gayle Steigerwald, Scot Greenwell, Bill Simmons, Angela Plank, Jason Gloye, Nolan Brokamp, Sharon Gamble, Lori Raffel, James Gross, Richard Rand, Laura Glover, Tim Brickley, Kevin D. Smith, Russell Bennett, Greg Kueterman.

The Phoenix Theatre is Indiana's only professional Contemporary Theatre, and has presented productions to challenge and entertain the Indianapolis community for 30 years. An Equity house, the Theatre presents the Midwest and Indiana premieres of many popular Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, and has presented more than 85 world premieres in its quarter century. The Phoenix operates the 130-seat proscenium Livia and Steve Russell Theatre as well as the 75-seat cabaret-style black box Frank & Katrina Basile Theatre.

The Phoenix Pub, located in the Basile Theatre, serves beer, wine, coffee, soft drinks, water, and treats, and patrons may take all refreshments into either theatre. Both venues are housed along with administrative offices in a renovated 1907 church in downtown Indianapolis' historic Chatham Arch neighborhood, part of the Mass Ave Arts & Theatre District.

The Phoenix Theatre is a member of the National New Play Network and the League of Indianapolis Theatres, and is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as local corporate and foundation funders and more than 400 individual donors.

More Articles by This Author...