Welcome.
You belong here.
We are Issue Box Theatre. Where theatre, social justice, education, and community meet.
Imagine a place where theatre is inseparable from social justice, education, and community engagement. That vision is Issue Box Theatre. We believe theatre is capable of transformation, healing, and creates space for human dignity. This belief sits at the core of our mission.
Voices in Action
We describe ourselves as ACTORVISTS
- a clear declaration that we are never just doing theatre.
Our work blends arts-based programming, storytelling, improvisation, and deep community partnerships to ensure what we create is accessible, relevant, and grounded in real lives. We are intentional about reaching people and places that traditional theatre has often overlooked.
Conventional theatre can require travel to unfamiliar spaces, adherence to unspoken rules, and ticket prices that place participation out of reach - especially where affordability is already a barrier. We believe theatre is a life-affirming art form, and access to it should never be limited by circumstance. That belief is what drives us out of the building and into the community - meeting people where they are, and inviting them fully into the experience.
Explore our Programs
See Me
Amplifying voices that are too often silenced
The SEE ME Project lifts up stories of individuals and communities whose voices are often overlooked, excluded from traditional spaces of art, education, and dialogue. Through film, live performance, and storytelling experiences, SEE ME creates intentional spaces where people are invited to listen, reflect, and engage with stories that challenge assumptions and build understanding.
At its core, SEE ME is about visibility, dignity, and connection - centering real lived experiences and creating opportunities for audiences toward empathy, dialogue, and meaningful human connection.
Imagine That!
Creativity, connection, and care through theatre
IMAGINE THAT! programs use creativity, laughter, improvisation, music, and meaningful engagement to elevate the human experience. Through workshops, conversation, and storytelling, we connect with three key communities—youth, adults, and seniors—to foster shared understanding and belonging.
Whether someone is navigating depression or dementia, learning how to respond in a mental-health crisis, or simply feeling isolated, IMAGINE THAT! creates experiences that prioritize joy, dignity, and connection.
Stay Connected
Sign up for our mailing list to receive program updates, stories, and opportunities to get involved.
Calendar
Support the Work
Your support helps us bring theatre into care facilities, shelters, classrooms, and community spaces - where it can make a real difference.
Our programs and workshops provide valuable support for marginalized communities while devising performances to address current issues in the wider community. Your support helps us expand our programs and grow our community.
Testimonials
Hear what others have had to say.
Great job Rosie!! Your enthusiasm is contagious and your sensitivity genuine. Really strong session. I think most of the students at the tables were engaging with the questions- some a bit more than others but overall a good way to get them to interact and respond!
Wow Rosie this is so much more than I ever could have imagined.
You were fantastic last night! I hope your basking in the glow of a triumphant return to the stage.
I keep thinking about the moments of absolute silence in a room of over 100 people when Rebecca would take a pause between moods or moments when we were all in the palm of her hand. So powerful.
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There’s always a lot going on at Issue Box Theatre👀
Today, we had a power work session editing See Me stories. Sometimes our “tandem tasking” keeps us from getting shiny and distracted!!
We can’t wait to share them all with you 🙂
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If you weren’t excited enough with “Infinity” dates being announced, here’s a sneak peek of the upcoming show!!
We’ve been having a wonderful time rehearsing “Infinity,” the play by Rachel Daley at the center of IBT’s Belonging Project. Through our grant funding and collaboration with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, the “Infinity” process is being documented by Creadio, a creative studio and marketing agency.
Check out some of our rehearsal photos, and make sure to look at our event on Facebook and let us know if you’re coming to one or both of our production dates!
#thebelongingproject, #socialjusticearts, #issueboxtheatre #humandignity #infinity ... See MoreSee Less
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"Infinity" performance details just dropped! 🤩
Check out this play, written by Rachel Daley, for two dates only in June! We are so excited for you to see the hard work this group has been putting in to raise awareness and end stigma surrounding homelessness in our community and beyond.
Find more details about the performances by looking at the events on our Facebook page!
#thebelongingproject, #socialjusticearts, #issueboxtheatre #humandignity #infinity ... See MoreSee Less
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Who doesn't love a walk down memory lane?🤗
You may have seen Issue Box Theatre's social media posts have lately included a lot of archived content. We are not time traveling or reviving any productions! Rather, we are working on organizing our photo albums and public content, so our friends of IBT can easily access photos and videos from previous projects!
So if you see some archived IBT content on our timeline, enjoy the throwback and let it remind you of all the wonderful work we've accomplished in the past decade and all the great work we have yet to come!
#issueboxtheatre #throwback #oldphotos #humandignity ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Issue Box Theatre's post ... See MoreSee Less
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