Indy Actors' Playground

Indy Actors' Playground Welcome to Indy Actors' Playground, a place where, once a month, Indy's acting talent gives voice to plays they choose. No payment. No publicity.

Created by actor Bill Simmons and playwright/IBJ A&E editor Lou Harry--and now run by Harry and actor Paul Hansen--Indy Actors' Playground's format is simple:

Each month, an Indy actor picks a play he or she really wants to do (new, classic, unknown oldie, whatever) but that hasn't been staged here in the past few years and isn't on an upcoming schedule. He or she casts it, makes sure everyone h

as a script, and we read. We don't even announce what the play will be until the reading. Spectators are welcome, of course, but we don't push. The goal is to give Indy talent a chance to dig into a play and for talented actors to explore together without worrying about the realities of getting a full production staged. The reading format also allows actors to try roles they would never be cast in. Readings will be held the third Monday of ever month at 7 p.m. at Indy Reads Books.

On June 10th, it's busy actress Alaine Sims' turn to pick the play to be read at Indy Actors' Playground. Come give a li...
06/05/2026

On June 10th, it's busy actress Alaine Sims' turn to pick the play to be read at Indy Actors' Playground. Come give a listen at 7 p.m. Free, as always.

On May 13th, David Mosedale picks the play, a show from the 70s (not not to be confused with a recent b-movie of the sam...
05/08/2026

On May 13th, David Mosedale picks the play, a show from the 70s (not not to be confused with a recent b-movie of the same name). He's also picked a cast including Zach and Audrey Stonerock. IAP gathers at 7:00 at Indy Reads bookstore in Fountain Square. Come join the adventurous theatergoers who gather monthly to give a listen..

April 8th, IAP is back at Indy Reads. This time, this choice belongs to Jonathan Studdard. Come hear a play a critic des...
04/03/2026

April 8th, IAP is back at Indy Reads. This time, this choice belongs to Jonathan Studdard. Come hear a play a critic described as "moving, beautiful, funny, smooth, and raw all at once." Come join us at 7.

Theater educator and actress Karin Stratton has picked this month's play and cast. Join her and her team for a wild and ...
03/03/2026

Theater educator and actress Karin Stratton has picked this month's play and cast. Join her and her team for a wild and timely contemporary comedy. 7:00 March 11 at Indy Reads bookstore in Fountain Square. (And make a note in the comments if you were a student of the Stratt.)

02/05/2026

Slight name change for the Feb. 11 play reading.
This time, it's INDY BEHIND-THE-SCENES-TALENT'S PLAYGROUND.
For this one, stage manager extraordinaire Katie Angel has picked a play and gathered a ground of folks you don't usually see on stage but who are vital to the creation of local theater.
See who -- and what play -- 7:00 at Indy Reads bookstore in Fountain Square.

01/08/2026

It's that time again, folks. Time for IAP's January COLD COLD reading. That means a team of gutsy actors have been cast to read a play but have no idea what the play will be or who they will play until they start reading. Join us at 7:00 Wednesday, January 14 at Indy Reads Bookstore for fun and theatrical adventure.
See you there?

12/04/2025

When I asked Dena Toler to pick this month's Indy Actors' Playground play (our 116th!), I figured it would be something strong.
I didn't expect it to be a play I've been wanting to see or hear for years. Yes, I'm excited.
Join us along with Erin Becker, Clarissa Todd, Arika Casey, Van Cox, Michael Swinford, Matt Kraft and Ayshah Matthew as they share a comedic drama by one of contemporary theater's leading playwrights. Next Wednesday
7:00 at Indy Reads bookstore in Fountain Square.
As always, it's free.

Don't worry. Dena Toler is taking care of the play choice for Indy Actors' Playground on Dec. 10. But you'll have to sho...
11/28/2025

Don't worry. Dena Toler is taking care of the play choice for Indy Actors' Playground on Dec. 10. But you'll have to show up at Indy Reads bookstore at 7 p.m. to hear what she selected.

11/13/2025

Wonderful night at IAP last night. Thanks, Meg, for the joy.

Side note: I'm an idiot. I lost track of who I confirmed for December's reading. If that was you person-reading-this, then get in touch with me. Thanks.

11/12/2025

Just a heads up that tonight's reading is recommended for mature audiences. You've been warned.

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1066 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, IN
46203

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