The Sapphire = Applied Theatre

What is 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. #AppliedTheatre is most often participatory (vs. passive), focused on outreach (taking theatre to the people) and designed to meet community needs and shape social change. Applied Theatre has a purpose.

What makes The Sapphire Theatre an Applied Theatre company?

Essentially, we use theatre in non-traditional ways and in non-traditional spaces such as community development, health care, businesses, museums, schools, universities, youth organizations and beyond. The Sapphire Theatre is always participatory (vs. passive), focused on outreach (taking theatre to the people) and designed to meet community needs and shape social change. The Sapphire is performing arts with purpose.

“Theatre has had an historic role in society as providing a relatively safe way of talking back to power. Across many cultures and traditions overtime, we can trace patterns and instances of groups of people using the stage as a space in place to share their stories and their lives. This aesthetic and emotional outlet allows for potential katharsis, a safe way for citizens to express their concerns, criticisms and frustration to each other and to society at large.” – Applied Theatre: International Case Studies and Challenges for Practice by Monica Prendergast and Juliana Saxton

What are some examples of how The Sapphire produces Applied Theatre?

Everything The Sapphire does engages performing arts with purpose. Below are some shining examples of how we use applied theatre techniques to accomplish this objective.

STC (virtual) OPEN MIC NIGHTS

In response to COVID, our team created a live, virtual Open Mic Night series that ran for months in 2020. As a company, we keep our finger on the pulse of the community to be ready to serve the current needs – in 2020, the community needed to connect, to interact, to express artistically and to enjoy live moments of artistic expression. We responded with an ongoing, live and virtual talent show. With over 300 views per show (and over 5500 views total) this free, public series has been a way to provide entertainment and connectivity to audiences, and a safe stage for a variety of artists.

CLICK HERE to view the Playlist of STC OPEN MIC NIGHT Videos on YouTube

TRAIL SKILLS ACADEMY – US and CA Federal Defenders

Beginning in 2017, The Sapphire has provided professional actors to augment the Trial Skills Academy training of Federal Defense Lawyers. We have worked with both the U.S. Courts’ Federal Defenders Training Office and the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI).  In these week-long, intensive trainings, our professional actors work at the direction of the academy’s faculty in creating immersive roleplay simulations for participants of the academy.

PREENACTINDY

VIDEO: Three Years of PreEnactIndy

TUNNEL of OPPRESSION at IUPUI

IUPUI’s Tunnel of Oppression is an emotionally immersive experience of live interactive theatre in a safe environment. Student-researched and -created scenes performed by professional actors from The Sapphire lead into facilitated conversations where the audience takes center stage, asking questions and practicing communication skills. Participants will be challenged to give up their preconceived notions and take action to assess, prevent, and end oppression throughout the world.

VOICELESS ISSUES Programs

DRAMA CLUB! After-school Program

VanGogh’s Bedroom at Newfields’ LUME Exhibit

ADULT SWIM Indy [2013-2015]

ADULT SWIM Indy was a fully immersive performance art experience specially designed for young, urban professionals and cultural progressives. This extraordinary recess for adults was modern “hip happening” that brought to life The Sapphire’s vision for unique, engaging mobile performances. Over 2,500 attendees enjoyed live performances, wild characters lit up and on stilts, music, face-painting, food and beverages and so much more!

CLICK HERE to view the Playlist of ADULT SWIM Indy Videos on YouTube

COMMUNITY STAGES at Fall Creek Gardens

Community Stages was a performing arts playground that was programmed and open to the public all summer long. Multi-level, multi-purpose stages that were visually engaging and enjoyable with a giant maze, community table and chessboards with sets. Events and workshops were offered free to the community and included Theatre Game Nights, Garden Talks, Workshops on Presentation Skills, Reader’s Theatre, Yoga, community pitch-ins, and much more!

Sponsors and Partners included: Big Car Collaborative, Fall Creek Gardens, Reconnecting to Our Waterways (R.O.W.)

The LUXURIOUS UNDERPASS

As part of the Arts Council of Indianapolis’ “Vibrant Corridors” initiative, The Sapphire turned the cement pillars of New York Street’s underpass at I-65/I-70 into a luxurious pathway of marbled columns. This project was a partnership between the Arts Council, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and Lilly who supplied volunteer painters during their Lilly Day of Service. David Orr was the project designer and coordinator, working with the organizations and volunteers to create a visually pleasing pathway for all who traveled this “Luxurious Underpass.”

Check out this VIDEO about the project!

PICTURE THIS

PICTURE THIS^® was created by David Llewellyn and provided by Community Health Network starting in 1984 as a process that uses theatre as a multi-functional tool for audiences to examine and explore complex issues. Bonnie Mill worked with this Community program between 1996-2000, eventually becoming the program’s assistant director. In 2013, The Sapphire legally acquired PICTURE THIS from Community Health Network with well wishes and hopes that the program would continue helping audiences of all types to improve communication on address difficult topics.

Check out this VIDEO about PICTURE THIS!