Phoenix Theatre Founder Bryan Fonseca To Become Producing Director Emeritus

Phoenix Theatre founding Producing Director Bryan Fonseca, who guided the original storefront operation to a new $ 11 million dollar theater on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, has been named the theatre's Founder and Producing Director Emeritus.

For more than 35 years, Fonseca has poured his energy into an idea called The Phoenix Theatre. Under his leadership, that idea became a reality, broadened its mission, and created a new model for a cultural institution.

" The board of directors believe that the institution now needs to redirect its energy to a solid fiscal focus, " said Fonseca, " That there are other leaders more capable of putting their energies into meeting the remaining financial demands of the institution's capital campaign and future operations. I am leaving to focus my creative energies elsewhere. "

During his tenure the Phoenix has grown to be a unique and valuable part of the Indianapolis arts community, providing an inclusive voice and focusing on issues of the day.

" Bryan dedicated his life and professional career to building a first - class theater that is also an integral part of the National New Play Network, offering world premieres of the work of important new playwrights. I can think of no more fitting honor and legacy than to name the stage in the Russell Theatre the Bryan Fonseca Stage, " said Phoenix Theatre Board President Frank Basile. " I am proud of The Phoenix Theatre family of artists and what they've done to offer compelling, thoughtful, and challenging new works. As we've grown, so have our audiences and patrons. I am grateful to all our supporters and family, " said Fonseca.

The Phoenix Theatre Board has appointed Bill Simmons as the new Artistic Director. " Bill is a longtime member of the Phoenix community, and I am proud to have given him the opportunity to bring his significant acting and directing talents to the Phoenix stage, " said Fonseca. " I will always be grateful for his tireless efforts in leading the capital campaign that brought the Phoenix to this spectacular new facility. I wish him all the best on this new leg of the journey. "