ENRICHMENT PROGRAMSdiverse group of people lined up on stage with signs in hands

Confronting social issues is a delicate challenge.  Let The Sapphire be a strategic partner in unpacking the complexity for your audience.  More than just awareness, your audiences will experience and learn practical steps for true positive change.

Our ENRICHMENT Programs are interactive performances designed for extraordinary audiences in exceptional circumstances. Today’s complex social issues are so challenging and divisive that it’s hard to know where to start meaningful conversations. We work with experts to stage stories, based on real events, that allow audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue. Rather than presenting topics in a detached, general terms, our programs focus on the very people struggling with the issues.

Customized programs are also available virtually.  Email Andrea@SapphireTheatre.com for more information.

CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS: Being a Lifeline for Survivors 

In INDIANA, suicide is the 9th leading cause of death with a rate higher than the national average. And each loss creates a ripple effect leaving a grieving mass in their wake. For each traumatic death, it is estimated that the lives of up to 135 people are dramatically impacted. And “those who have been exposed to suicide are at a greater risk for suicide themselves.” All of this adds up to thousands of Hoosiers being traumatically impacted by death by suicide, and even more who find themselves in a position of support without knowing how to best serve those who are grieving.

CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS is an interactive performance that breaks the silence around loss by suicide — strengthening the connections that protect us, practicing ways to support each other, and engaging in conversations that could save lives. This is a special presentation of The Sapphire’s award-winning PICTURE THIS® program, delivering impactful learning in an entertaining way since 1984. Audiences will be engaged by live enactments of real-life scenarios with opportunities to talk directly with characters. This program will be designed with counselors, writers and other experts on suicide prevention and postvention, as well as vital community partners to ensure authentic, relevant information and on-going resources. CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS will debut at the 2026 SPIRIT & PLACE FESTIVAL this November.

Each CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS presentation includes:

  • Live performances by professional actors
  • Opportunities to talk with characters and experts
  • Simple stress-reducing theatre techniques
  • Connections to current, vetted information and support options
  • Judgment-free zone with others who can relate
  • Reception with light refreshments, ongoing conversations and take-away resources

WHAT:          90-minute live, interactive theatrical experience with professional actors, facilitators, and experts.

WHEN & WHERE:    Saturday, Nov. 14  | 2 – 3:30PM & 5 – 6:30PM at The Athenaeum Auditorium [401 E. Michigan St.]

                                  Saturday, Nov. 15  |  11:30AM – 1PM at Unity of Indianapolis [907 N. Delaware St.]

                                  Reception with ongoing conversations and resourced offered after each show.

WHO:            Proudly partnering with IUPUI’s Spirit & Place Festival, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (Indiana Chapter), Unity of Indianapolis,  Grief Literacy & John Swanson (This is Hard). Additional partnerships in development.

WHY:             The Sapphire Theatre offers ‘performing arts with purpose’. It’s our mission to entertain, inspire and connect in order to enrich the human spirit and contribute to cultural growth. Since 2008, we’ve been living our mission, proudly serving Indianapolis with innovative, creative and mobile performances, programs and production services. CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS fulfills this mission by creating free educational experiences that meet the needs of our grieving community.

 

FACING GRIEF: Nourishing Loved Ones Through Loss – #FacingGrief

Two lit candles illuminate hands held in supportMany of us don’t know what to say or do when a loved one experiences profound grief. Through live theatrical enactments of various scenarios, audiences are invited to practice reacting to loss and supporting those they love.Our brains are wired for survival, not loss, creating significant challenges in the aftermath of profound grief. FACING GRIEF, a presentation of The Sapphire Theatre’s award-winning PICTURE THIS® applied theatre programming, engages improvisational actors to act out brief scenarios. We all can do better for those who are hurting. Theatre can help by allowing participants to practice having hard conversations, holding space, and listening. This collaborative endeavor debuted as part of the 2023 Spirit & Place Festival, in partnership with John Swanson and Grief Literacy, DeAndra Dycus and Purpose 4 My Pain, Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, Unity of Indianapolis.

FACING GRIEF: Managing Mother’s Day

FACING GRIEF: Managing Mother's Day

This free, public and virtual performance in 2025 was produced in response to many requests for an encore of the original FACING GRIEF program. Research identified Mother’s Day as a difficult holiday for grievers – and so, we revised the original with a new perspective. This program does not attempt “fix” grief, but instead aims to provide those in support roles with the practice and language needed to show up effectively for those who grieve. This program was designed and re-tooled for Mother’s Day with counselors, writers and other experts on grief as well as vital community partners to ensure authentic, relevant information and on-going resources.This included a vital partnerhsip with guest facilitator Dr. Tina Fornwald of Widowhood Real Talk with Tina.

You can view the recording of FACING GRIEF: Managing Mother’s Day on The Sapphire’s YouTube Channel.

FACING GRIEF RESOURCES HERE: https://sapphiretheatre.com/FACINGGRIEF/ 

 

The POWER of CONSENT: Empowering Students to Prevent Campus Assault – #POWERofCONSENTtwo hands reaching towards each other in silhouette

This interactive performance with guided conversations is designed to raise awareness about the prevalence and prevention of sexual assault on college campuses. This program prepares both male and female students, parents and campus communities for safe and healthy university experiences, and was created in partnership with Planned Parenthood.

REBUILDING HOME: Managing Moral Injury & PTSD – #RebuildingHome + #HelpIndyVetssilhouette of military person walking into sunrise

Interactive performances and workshops fostering healthy communication and support for military members, veterans, their families, and their friends. Through the power of theatre, REBUILDING HOME uses effective techniques to create real-life, relatable learning experiences for veterans, families, and community members. Includes take-away information on Moral Injury. This program was created in partnership with Dr. Rita Nakashima-Brock.