The Phoenix Theatre has presented productions since 1983. An Equity house, the Phoenix presents the Midwest and Indiana premieres of many Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, and has presented 94 World Premieres (through the end of the 2014–15 season). In May 2018, the Phoenix moved to a newly constructed, 20,000 square foot building, the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, at 705 N. Illinois St. in the heart of downtown Indianapolis with two stages: the 144 seat Steve and Livia Russell Theatre and a flexible blackbox space, the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre (capacity of 90). As of 2024, Phoenix has rebranded as Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre where it houses 7 resident theatre companies. They are Actors Ink Theatre Company, American Lives Theatre, Eclipse, Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, Naptown African American Theatre Collective, Phoenix Theatre, and Summit Performance Indianapolis. Its previous location was at 749 N. Park Ave. in downtown Indianapolis near Massachusetts Avenue, the Phoenix operated a 130-seat proscenium style Mainstage and 75-seat downstairs cabaret.
It was founded by Bryan D. Fonseca in 1983, initially to perform the three-part (three evening) science fiction play, Warp!. Both venues are housed along with administrative offices in a renovated 1907 church where Jim Jones once preached, a fact that was brought into their production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. 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.
The Phoenix typically produces 10-12 shows per season, which most production being local regional premieres. They mostly produce plays written within the previous five years, and rarely produce shows more than one time (exceptions are Avenue Q and The Zippers of Zoomerville). Shows produced by the Phoenix are always issue-oriented, hoping to incite conversation along with the entertainment. They have often featured plays dealing with sexuality, homosexuality, women's issues, AIDS, African-American issues (they have done all of August Wilson's plays as they became available for regional theatre use), abuse, and mental disorders. The Phoenix is committed to hiring local artists, and almost all of their talent pool of designers and actors comes from Indianapolis or nearby cities.
Bryan Fonseca
Bryan Fonseca is the founding and former Producing Director of the Phoenix Theatre. (He was replaced in June 2018 ). He has played a role in the Indianapolis theatre community since 1979. Prior to the Phoenix, Bryan served as the artistic director for the Broad Ripple Playhouse and developed a short-lived alternative stage at the Indianapolis Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre – Studio C. Bryan has received an Achievement and Service award from the Indiana Theatre Association, two Artist Fellowship awards from the Indiana State Arts Commission and two Creative Renewal Fellowships from the Arts Council of Indianapolis/Lilly Endowment. Over the years, he transferred six Phoenix shows to Chicago including his original concert production, Prine: A Tribute Concert, which was performed at the Viaduct Theatre. Following his departure from the Phoenix, Fonseca founded the Fonseca Theatre Company on Indianapolis’ near west side. Fonseca died of complications from the COVID-19 virus in September 2020.
A Very Phoenix Xmas
The Phoenix produced an annual holiday show called A Very Phoenix Xmas from 2005 to 2019 curated by Producing Director Bryan Fonseca. The show featured original holiday-themed sketch comedy, musical numbers, dances, and variety acts (such as an aerial silk act) created but local and national playwrights.
Brew-Ha-Ha
In 1995, the Phoenix founded the original craft beer festival in Indianapolis, Brew-Ha-Ha, as a non-traditional fundraiser for the theatre. The outdoor block party took place just outside the Phoenix on the 700 block of N. Park Ave. between Massachusetts Ave. and E. St. Clair St. in the Mass Ave Arts & Theatre District. The final Brew-Ha-Ha was held in June 2018.
National New Play Network
The Phoenix is a Member of National New Play Network (NNPN), the country's alliance of non-profit professional theaters that supports the development, production, and continued life of new plays. Since its founding in 1998, NNPN has commissioned 19 playwrights, provided more than 20 MFA graduates with paid residencies, and supported over 150 productions nationwide through its Continued Life of New Plays Fund, which creates "Rolling World Premieres" of new plays. Hundreds of artists have gained employment through these efforts all over the country where NNPN Member Theatres are located. In addition to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, NNPN receives support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, the Shubert Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Network consists of a relatively small group of 29 Core Members, who pioneer and implement collaborative new play strategies, and a growing group of Associate Members, who disseminate the Network's programs and strategies nationwide. In April 2015, NNPN received the Washington Post Award for Innovative Leadership at the annual Helen Hayes Award Celebration.
Production history (*=world premiere production) (**=NNPN Rolling World Premiere)
1980s 1983–1984
WARP! I, II, & III by Stuart Gordon & Bury St. Edmond Talking With… by Jane Martin Krapp's Last Tape by Samuel Beckett How I Got That Story by Amlin Gray Plenty by David Hare Lemonade by James Prideaux Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill Summer Lights* by Sam Smiley Escapes* by David Stooks The Legs on Charlie's Car* by John Sarno Necessities* by Kathy Fletcher & Rita Kohn Sour Noodles* by Jim Watt
1984–1985
Agnes of God by John Pielmeier Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley The Lion in Winter by James Goldman Baby With the Bathwater by Christopher Durang March of the Falsettos by William Finn Dear John* by Marcia Cebulska True West by Sam Shepard Taking Steps by Alan Ayckbourn The Call* by Bruce Gelfand My Hand is Not My Heart* by Jack Randall Earles Prep Work* by Bruce Gelfand Porch Songs* by Pearl Cleage …And Stuff* by Peter Dee
1985–1986
Stage Struck by Simon Gray Balm in Gilead by Lanford Wilson El Grande de Coca-Cola by House, Andrews, Shearman, Willis, & White As Is by William F. Hoffman A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo Waiting for the Parade by John Murrell The Madness of Lady Bright by Lanford Wilson Days of our Dumping* by D.J.L. Neruda Don't Crush that Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers by Firesign Theatre The Lesson by Eugène Ionesco Centaurs* by Marcia Cebulska Night Commander* by Silas Jones Replay* by Bruce MacDonald Prairie Sunset* by Richard Sutherland
1986–1987
The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill *Orphans by Lyle Kessler The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson Shivaree by William Mastrosimone Hurlyburly by David Rabe Hair by Gerome Ragni, James Rado, & Galt MacDermot Dreams* by Nell Weatherwax Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, and Other Cultural Differences by Various Poets Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepard Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music by Lee Blessing Grendel!* by John Gardner & Bart Simpson Spell #7 by Ntozake Shange Rap Master Ronnie by Garry Trudeau & Elizabeth Swados Not Funny* by Douglas Anderson Caril & Charlie* by Gram Slaton Ken's Brain* by Jim Mitchell
1987–1988
Execution of Justice by Emily Mann …and when the bough breaks* by Marcia Cebulska Loot by Joe Orton Advice to the Players by Bruce Bonafede Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You by Christopher Durang A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard Savage/Love and Tongues by Sam Shepard A…My Name is Alice by Joan Micklin Silver & Julianne Boyd Chug by Ken Jenkins Graceland by Ellen Byron The House of Blue Leaves by John Guare Cards & Beer* by Jack Randall Earles Rebels* by Gary Williams & Steven Ridenour Nightbreath* by Dennis Clontz
1988–1989
Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling Miss Margarida's Way by Roberto Athayde Bouncers by John Godber Dreamgirls by Tom Eyen & Harry Krieger Laughing Wild by Christopher Durang Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune by Terrence McNally Coastal Disturbances by Tina Howe Beach Party Nuclear Protest* by Jack Randall Earles & David Meek Lloyd's Prayer by Kevin Kling Aunt Dan & Lemon by Wallace Shawn Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down by Jerry Colker & Michael Rupert Mr. Right and Other Stories* by Linda Carson Mortal Risk* by Ron Marks
1989–1990
Burn This by Lanford Wilson Beirut by Alan Bowne The Day Room by Don DeLillo Here I Am* by David Meek (cabaret) On the Verge (or The Geography of Yearning) by Eric Overmyer Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati) by Larry Larson & Levi Lee The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'Brien Fences by August Wilson The Marriage of Bette and Boo by Christopher Durang The Boys Next Door by Tom Griffin Su Me* by Su Ours (cabaret) Boy's Life by Howard Korder Stiff Cuffs* by Christina Cocek & John DiAguino Elizabeth/Regina* by Linda Carson
1990s 1990–1991
Eastern Standard by Richard Greenberg T-Bone And Weasel by Jon Klein Split Second by Dennis McIntyre Vampire Lesbians of Sodom by Charles Busch Reckless by Craig Lucas Eleemossynary by Lee Blessing One Mo' Time by Vernel Bagneris Kennedy's Children by Robert Patrick Roosters by Milcha Sanchez-Scott Woman in Mind by Alan Ayckbourn The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlum Lady & the Clarinet by Michael Cristopher Dorothy Parker-A Symptom Recital* by Leo P. Carusone Dragon Slayers* by William Rough
1991–1992
Other People's Money by Jerry Sterner Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill by Lanie Robertson Square One by Steve Tesich The Cemetery Club by Ivan Menchell Only Kidding! by Jim Gehoghan 4 AM America by Ping Chong Christmas on Mars by Harry Kondoleon The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein Angry Housewives by A.M. Collins & Chad Henry Joe Turner's Come and Gone by August Wilson The Lisbon Traviata by Terrence McNally Womandingo* by Sterling Houston & Arnold Aprill Objects in the Mirror are Closer than They Appear* by Lester Purley & Mark Cryer hip my heart* by Paulette Licitra
1992–1993
M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang Dorothy Parker-A Symptom Recital* by Leo P. Carusone Lips Together, Teeth Apart by Terrence McNally The Promise by Jose Rivera Assassins by Stephen Sondheim & John Weidman Sight Unseen by Donald Margulies The Piano Lesson by August Wilson Blind Spot* by Michael Davis Sutton Candy Store Window* by Cherie Bennett
1993–1994
The Good Times Are Killing Me by Lynda Barry Six Degrees of Separation by John Guare Su Ours: No E, No H, Noel* by Su Ours & Michael Klass (cabaret) Marvin's Room by Scott McPherson Death & the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman Three Ways Home by Casey Kurtti Mama Drama by Leslie Ayvazian, Christine Farrell, Donna Dailey, Mariana Houston, Rita Nactmann, & Anne O'Sullivan Pretty Girls, Not too Bright* by Dos Fallopia (Peggy Platt & Lisa Koch) Heart Timers* by Stuart Warmflash Veronica's Position* by Rich Orloff
1994–1995
Falsettos by William Finn & James Lapine Keely and Du by Jane Martin Five Guys Named Moe by Clarke Peters Conversations With My Father by Herb Gardener All in the Timing by David Ives Jeffrey by Paul Rudnick Bewitched, Bothered & Bananas* by Dos Fallopia (Lisa Koch & Peggy Platt) Points of Deviation* by Scott Sandoe Scotland Road by Jeffery Hatcher
1995–1996
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe by Jane Wagner If We Are Women by Joanna Glass The Holiday Survival Game Show* by Dos Fallopia (Lisa Koch & Peggy Platt) Six Women with Brain Death by Mark Houston Denial of the Fittest by Judith Sloan & Warren Leher