The free, one-of-a kind event which blurs the lines between a community festival and theater production will once again span three city blocks along 16th Street from the Monon Trail to Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave. to help envision what a neighborhood OUGHT to be – just, equitable and economically vibrant. In partnership with local professional theater groups, numerous neighborhood partners and several performing arts educators, organizers will transform and bring to life a section of the Monon 16 neighborhood for a public event that gives attendees fully-immersive experiences of the active, healthy and well-designed neighborhood the area deserves.
PreEnactIndy will be directed again by The Sapphire Theatre Company and will engage the performing arts to produce a grass-roots, community-connected experience of revitalization in live time. “By engaging the performing arts, we are able to bring the rich history of this area to life and give the community a platform to share their stories and voice their dreams,” said Bonnie Mill, artistic director of The Sapphire Theatre Company. Temporary facades built by set designers will rise again on vacant lots, abandoned buildings will be spruced up and throughout the day, live performances will illustrate to attendees scenarios of a thriving, inclusive and diverse community.

October 6th will include many new surprises as well! A few activities planned for the second PreEnactIndy include, but are not limited to:

• Beckwith Commons – A community park honoring neighborhood resident Frank Beckwith, the first African American to run in an American Presidential Primary in 1960. Join the big Porch Party (#porchpartyindy) we’re throwing this year on the Beckwith Stage, where community members, political leaders and spoken word artists will gather to share stories and lead the community in conversations about equity.
• Brother Nature Market – Locally-focused, farmers-style market featuring fresh produce, artisan goods and services such as landscape & garden design, sewing services and grocery delivery
• Gospel Fest – Choirs, bands and praise dancers from various churches will share their talents in an all-day celebration of the local churches and the vital role they play in the community they serve
• SCAN-A-THON at The Oaks Academy + Dunbar Library & History Center – The SCAN-A-THON is a project dedicated to collecting photos and printed historic materials, particularly from the African American community, as part of the Indianapolis Public Library’s digitization initiative. Tours of the Dunbar Library, the first African American branch of The Indianapolis Public Library, will also be available.
• The DREAM Cultural Community Center – Programs and performances that promote and preserve this part of Indy’s culture and community, with a design that pays homage to The Dream, a beautiful African American movie theatre in the area long ago
• Eastside Variety & Barbershop – Friendly neighborhood penny candy and barbershop for stories, stylin’ and socializing
• Middle of the Road Café – Seating and socializing in the streets, creating a slower and kinder community