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Bryan Fonseca, who founded the Phoenix Theatre in 1983 and the Fonseca Theatre Co. in 2018, has died from complications related to COVID-19. He was 65.
Fonseca was the principal director and main artistic force behind the Phoenix for 35 years before he left in 2018 as the organization’s board was shifting its direction and focusing on finances.
He had started the not-for-profit theater at the Ambassador Building on East Ninth Street. In 1988, it moved to a former church at 749 N. Park Ave., where it cemented a strong regional reputation for producing fresh and thematically challenging work with a mix of professional and veteran community actors.
It moved into a newly built, $11 million downtown facility on the northeast corner of Illinois and Walnut streets just as Fonseca was leaving. At that time, the Phoenix gave Fonseca the honorary title of founder and producing director emeritus and named the stage in the Russell Theatre portion of the new facility in his honor.
“He was a force,” said Phoenix Theatre Artistic Director Bill Simmons in a statement. “Without Bryan Fonseca, there would be no Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre.”
At the time he left the Phoenix, Fonseca said he wanted to “focus my creative energies elsewhere.”
Shortly after, he founded the Fonseca Theatre Co., which serves the near-west side and is aimed at using art to challenge issues of justice and community. The theater company’s board said Thursday morning that it would continue to operate despite Fonseca’s death.
“Bryan’s legacy as a cultural icon and his vision to give voice to and celebrate the minority communities of Indianapolis through the prism of purposeful theater and civic engagement will live on through the Fonseca Theatre,” said Frank Basile, founding donor and board member of the Fonseca Theatre.
Board President Patricia Castañeda said in a statement that “Bryan’s influence and contributions extend well beyond Indianapolis theatre circles. He was truly a friend to all, and a national treasure.”
Before creating the Phoenix Theatre, Fonseca started a storefront theater in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, and directed shows at the Broad Ripple Playhouse.
He also directed for the MFA Playwrights Workshop at the Kennedy Center; The Human Race Theatre in Dayton, Ohio; Indiana University; Ball State University and the Civic Theatre of Indianapolis. Over the years, he transferred six Phoenix shows to Chicago, and his production of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” was invited to travel to a festival in Dundalk, Ireland.
The theater company’s board said the theater is on hiatus “but will return.”
“The board is committed to the continuation of the Fonseca Theatre Company and will be following Bryan’s decision to take a break in our production through spring 2021,” Castañeda said.
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Huge loss, he was gifted and gracious.
Such a courageous visionary who will leave an enormous cavern in our city. He challenged us all with his amazing work with the new theater.
He gave voice to many under represented communities. He was a visionary that paved the way for great talent to be showcased and magnificent stories to be told. Even more amazing is how he transformed limited resources into a grand presentation. RIP Bryan!
Bryan was a bold, visionary force unlike no other that I have worked with. He created opportunities for so many artists. His shoes will be hard to fill.
My heart is truly aching!!! Bryan and I shared some wonderful intimate conversations about two loves we had a similar passion for; life and theatre.
What a gift Bryan was to so many. RIP friend💜
Brian was my teacher for an IUPUI drama class that sparked a love of performance that has continued ever since. He was a wonderfully patient man with us, and had an amazing knack for knowing just what it took to get us to achieve a level of greatness we didn’t know we had. I’m terribly saddened to learn of his passing, but am truly honored to have had the chance to work with such an incredible creative force and person. Rest easy brother, you will be missed.