Design Takes Center Stage At Phoenix Theatre

Phoenix Theatre 749 N. Park Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46202 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2018 Contact : Chelsea Anderson, Advancement Manager, canderson @ phoenixtheatre.org Web : www.phoenixtheatre.org Phoenix Theatre ANNOUNCES Designs Take Center Stage at Phoenix Theatre

Whether patrons imbibe or abstain, the bar onstage at the Livia & Steve Russell stage at Phoenix Theatre is the place to be. As the setting for the Pulitzer Prize - winning Sweat by Lynn Nottage, Phil Male's scenic design feels like home.

" I wanted to explore the idea of what it would mean if your home away from home was made up entirely ( or nearly entirely ) of the things you've put into it, " said Male, a prominent designer seen previously on the Phoenix stage as scenic designer for An Act of God earlier this year. " It's a nest. A sacred space. There's a history in this place. Blood, sweat, and tears. Literally. Getting to the idea of generations of families and friends and trying to capture American nostalgia really drove the concept. " The result is a rich feast for the eyes : colors, textures, pictures, lines, and culture in which to indulge as the story unfolds around it all.

Male's scenic design is highlighted beautifully with lighting designed by Michael Moffatt. Moffatt, a local designer and Department Chair of the Cathedral High School Fine Arts Department, was up to the task of lighting this detailed and enthralling set. As he puts it : " I was challenged with creating the atmosphere of a dark tavern, but my first job as a lighting designer is to provide visibility. Most bars like this one are designed to be dim to help with the atmosphere and hide all kinds of imperfections. " The design is a great mirror to Nottage's story which explodes imperfections in the lives of these characters.

Not only is there a visual treat for the eyes, Tom Horan's sound design is an equal treat for the ears. Sweat is set in 2000 and 2008 ; naturally, Horan collected sounds of that era to set the scene. " With the sound, I aimed to capture a snapshot of these transitional but significant moments, " said Horan. As The Phoenix Theatre's playwright - in - residence, Horan is used to diving into a text to mine for hidden treasures and parallels throughout the story. The familiar bar set in a familiar scene should sound equally as familiar to anyone who lived through that pivotal time in American politics and economics.

Cast includes Phoenix regulars : Diane Kondrat, Rob Johansen, Angela Plank, Nathan Robbins, Dena Toler, Ian Cruz, and Ramon Hutchins and new artists to Phoenix : Josiah McCruiston and Dwuan Watson.

Designers include Michael Moffatt, lighting design ; Phil Male, scenic design ; Brittany Kugler, costume design ; Danielle Buckel, properties design, and Tom Horan, sound design. Directed by Bryan Fonseca. Stage Manager, Chelsey Stauffer. Sweat runs February 8 - March 4, 2018. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 317 - 635 - 7529 or going online at www.phoenixtheatre.org. Tickets are : $ 27 for regular Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Opening night Friday and Saturdays at 8pm are $ 33.

The Phoenix Theatre has cornered the market on hip new works. " - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune The Phoenix Theatre is Indiana's only professional contemporary theatre, and has presented productions to challenge and entertain the Indianapolis community for over 34 years. An Equity house, the Phoenix presents the Midwest and Indiana premieres of many popular Broadway and Off - Broadway plays, and has presented approximately 100 world premieres. The Phoenix operates the 130 - seat proscenium Livia and Steve Russell Stage as well as the 75 - seat cabaret - style black box Frank and Katrina Basile Stage. 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 and Culture District. The Phoenix Theatre is a founding 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.