THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! You make Indy a better place, because you care about making a positive impact. This community matters to you have purpose. We deeply appreciate that!
At The Sapphire, we have a vision of ‘performing arts with purpose’ – this means that everything we do takes the elements of theatre to address a greater good in our community.
If you’d like to know more about The Sapphire, we’ve answered some FAQs for you below.
If you want to dig deeper, please take a trip through our website. You can check out WHO WE ARE, our HISTORY, learn about APPLIED THEATRE or look at our 2024 At-A-Glance to see what we did last year and much more.
If you still want to know more, send an email to Bonnie Mill (bonnie@sapphiretheatre.com) – she’s our Executive Artistic Director and she’s happy to answer questions or set up a coffee chat with one of our Board members.
THANK YOU! The Sapphire Team
FAQs
When and where was The Sapphire founded? 2008 in Downtown Indianapolis.
What kind of theatre does The Sapphire produce? Applied Theatre. Essentially, it’s using theatre in non-traditional ways and in non-traditional spaces such as community development, health care, businesses, museums, schools, universities, youth organizations and beyond.
What does The Sapphire offer? There are three “facets” to our theatre company – PERFORMANCES (unique theatrical entertainment), PROGRAMS (one-of-a-kind education programs and tailor-made training for businesses) and PRODUCTION SERVICES (professional production services including fabrication and design).
The Turnaway Play cast members’ headshots.
Marketing image with women actor’s headshots
Cast of actors smiling in selfie
FACING GRIEF CAST: Daniel A. Martin, Shawnté P. Gaston, Victoria Betances, Reggie McGuire
Lead Teaching Artist Daniel A. Martin directs students in improvisation games that teach theatre, confidence, and collaboration during our Afterschool Drama Club at Shepherd Community Center.
Group of people posing in a studio.
People assembling stage equipment in theater setting.
Photo from NAATC Judy’s Life’s Work
Two men observing artwork in gallery.
1 men look at paintings on the wall of the Alfred J. Miller exhibit at the EITELJORG MUSEUM
Two men smiling near a striped tent.
Selfie of two men in front of tent and camp scene Alfred J. Miller exhibit at the EITELJORG MUSEUM
Where is The Sapphire Theatre located? There’s no set stage for our theatre. Instead, we work with other theatres and organizations to create stages wherever we go, whether it’s a convention, classroom or corporate boardroom. Our Production Services team works in the Sapphire Studios just east of downtown, a space for design, fabrication, and education.
Where might I have seen The Sapphire’s work? We have worked with over 100 Indy organizations.
- One of our most recent PERFORMANCES was ‘FACING GRIEF: Managing Mother’s Day’ – a live, virtual and interactive performance. (Recording available on YouTube.) This performance was the sequel to our original production of ‘FACING GRIEF: Nourishing Loved Ones Through Loss’ which we produced at the 2023 Spirit & Place Festival with many partners including Congregation Beth-el Zedek,Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, Purpose 4 My Pain, Unity of Indianapolis and more. GRIEF RESOURCES are available HERE.
- Also in 2024, we produced a virtual reading of The TURNAWAY PLAY by Lesley Lisa Greene. The play is based on The TURNAWAY STUDY: Ten Years, A Thousand Women and the Consequences of Having – or Being Denied – an Abortion by Dr. Diana Greene Foster, sister of the playwright. A recording of this production is available on The Sapphire’s YouTube Channel and features eight amazing local actors with a post-show discussion with Dr. Foster, creator of The TURNAWAY STUDY.
- We have provided PROGRAMS for many audiences – YOUTH, TEACHERS & YOUTH WORKERS, and BUSINESSES. These include 21st Century CCLC, Indiana Afterschool Network, Indiana Public Schools, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, and the Shepherd Community Center. We are also collaborating with NAATC (Naptown African American Theatre Collective) on their Education for All free programming.
- Our PRODUCTION SERVICES team has designed and/or built sets for local theatres such as Freetown Village, Indy Shakespeare, NAATC (Naptown African American Theatre Collective), Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, the Point Theatre, Summit Performance Indy. Production Services have also supported many museums and cultural organizations, including the Eiteljorg, Newfields, Buffalo Bill Centre of the West and the Indiana Historical Society.
How can I get more involved with The Sapphire?
- Check out this introductory video – “Meet The Sapphire Theatre in 5 Minutes”
- Follow us out on FaceBook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Sign up for our eBlasts by sending a request to mail@sapphiretheatre.com. We’ll keep you up to date on upcoming public projects. Also, let us know if you’re interested in volunteering, auditioning or board service.
- If you’re interested in board service, please reach out to Bonnie Mill, our Executive Artistic Director at bonnie@sapphiretheatre.com.
- If you need production services, support, or rentals – or just want to find out more about what we have to offer – email production@sapphiretheatre.com.