ABout Us

At Summer Stock Stage (SSS), we believe in the power of theater to transform lives. Since our founding in 2003, we have been dedicated to inspiring, educating, and developing emerging artists through exceptional theatrical experiences. By combining rigorous training with high-level performance opportunities, we prepare people of all ages to reach their full creative potential both on and off the stage.

Our Mission

The mission of Summer Stock Stage (SSS) is to enrich our community through theatre by inspiring young people to learn, connect, and perform. 
Summer Stock Stage creates outstanding, professional-quality productions that serve as a training ground for emerging artists. We provide students and community members with opportunities to learn from experienced teaching artists, collaborate with peers, and grow as performers, storytellers, and leaders.

What We Do

• Professional Productions: Each summer, Summer Stock Stage produces two fully staged, professional musicals featuring a cast of emerging professional artists. These productions bring together top Indiana talent as well as actors from across the country with seasoned directors, choreographers, and designers, giving audiences Broadway-quality theater right here in Indianapolis, and giving many young artists their first professional performance opportunity.
• High School Productions: Alongside our professional shows, we also produce two musicals featuring the best high school performers from across Central Indiana. Students gain invaluable training and mentorship as they work at a professional standard, often sharing the stage with peers who go on to study and perform theater at the highest levels.
• Education Programs: During the school year, our Academy offers workshops, classes, and masterclasses in acting, voice, and dance. These programs build skills while fostering confidence, creativity, and collaboration. During the summer, the Academy program produces fully staged musicals with young performers from across Central Indiana.
• Community Engagement: Through initiatives like POCA (People of a Certain Age), we are expanding our mission beyond youth programming to inspire seniors as lifelong learners and performers, proving that it’s never too late to grow and connect through theater.

Our Impact

Summer Stock Stage has launched the careers of countless Indiana artists who now perform on Broadway, in national tours, and in regional theaters across the country. Just as importantly, we cultivate lifelong appreciation for the arts by empowering people from diverse backgrounds to see themselves as capable, creative, and connected through theater.

Our Home

In partnership with the Butler Arts & Events Center, our productions and programs now reach wider audiences than ever before. Our professional and Mainstage high school productions are performed at the Schrott Center for the Arts and our educational productions perform at Shelton Auditorium, both on the campus of Butler University.

At Summer Stock Stage, we believe theater is for everyone. Whether you’re a student taking your first acting class, a senior rediscovering the joy of performance, or an audience member cheering from the seats, you are part of our story.