About
React Youth Theatre offers theatre classes where students take part in research for theatre productions, devising theatre, rehearsing plays, and performing theatre productions. The work does not start with a script; it starts with an idea and research, and devising is used as a global theatre technique that brings the whole cast together to create the show. Every student has a hand in shaping the story and creating their own character, and each production results in an original play where everyone has a voice, sometimes using nontraditional performance spaces such as outdoor areas, interactive sets, or performances that spill out to the audience.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
React Youth Theatre creates original theatre with youth that reacts to social issues of the world and has been doing so since 1976. The program offers theatre classes for any K–12th grader who loves creating, storytelling, and collaborating, and focuses on empowering youth for life, stating that the outcome of the student outweighs the outcome of the performance. React has structurally evolved into its current model and has grown from serving 60 to 1500 students annually, and its work has allowed students to connect with other artists in the Indianapolis community; The Court, a social-issues troupe created at React, performed all over the state.
The staff is chosen carefully as real-life role models and are described as Indianapolis all stars, respected in and out of the classroom as artists, educators, and leaders. The leadership team includes Justin Wade, Executive Director; Georgeanna Smith Wade, Artistic Director; Ryan Mullins, Associate Artistic Director and Technical Director; Gara Gaines, Outreach Director; Fiona Dwyer, Managing Director; Saige Broadwater, Community Engagement Director; and Alethea Harnish, Development Director. Staff credentials noted include that Gara Gaines was the recipient of a Midsouth Regional Student Production Award in her junior year of high school, and that Georgeanna Smith Wade was named one of IndyStar's Top 15 to watch in 2015 and one of 2013’s “Most Compelling Performance Artists” by The Examiner, and she received the Indiana Arts Commission’s Arts in the Park grant in 2016.
Former students describe their experiences in several ways. One student, Lucy G., who attended for 7 years, said that React gave her a family she will never forget or lose and that the staff provided her with methods for coping, healthy competition, confidence, and other life lessons. Another student, Saige B., who attended for 8 years, said they never felt like they did not belong and that the experience shaped them into an independent, creative, self-driven, free person, and that they learned how to work under pressure and with a time boundary while still using their creativity and discipline. Haley G., a student for 4 years, said React planted a seed of confidence that allowed her to go after anything she wants, and that React changed her life. Beck J., a student for 9 years, said that through React they were able to try new ideas, create their style, grow as an artist, connect with other artists in the Indy community, and gain more opportunities to explore their craft.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
React Youth Theatre creates original theatre with youth that reacts to social issues of the world and has been doing so since 1976. The program offers theatre classes for any K–12th grader who loves creating, storytelling, and collaborating, and focuses on empowering youth for life, stating that the outcome of the student outweighs the outcome of the performance. React has structurally evolved into its current model and has grown from serving 60 to 1500 students annually, and its work has allowed students to connect with other artists in the Indianapolis community; The Court, a social-issues troupe created at React, performed all over the state.
The staff is chosen carefully as real-life role models and are described as Indianapolis all stars, respected in and out of the classroom as artists, educators, and leaders. The leadership team includes Justin Wade, Executive Director; Georgeanna Smith Wade, Artistic Director; Ryan Mullins, Associate Artistic Director and Technical Director; Gara Gaines, Outreach Director; Fiona Dwyer, Managing Director; Saige Broadwater, Community Engagement Director; and Alethea Harnish, Development Director. Staff credentials noted include that Gara Gaines was the recipient of a Midsouth Regional Student Production Award in her junior year of high school, and that Georgeanna Smith Wade was named one of IndyStar's Top 15 to watch in 2015 and one of 2013’s “Most Compelling Performance Artists” by The Examiner, and she received the Indiana Arts Commission’s Arts in the Park grant in 2016.
Former students describe their experiences in several ways. One student, Lucy G., who attended for 7 years, said that React gave her a family she will never forget or lose and that the staff provided her with methods for coping, healthy competition, confidence, and other life lessons. Another student, Saige B., who attended for 8 years, said they never felt like they did not belong and that the experience shaped them into an independent, creative, self-driven, free person, and that they learned how to work under pressure and with a time boundary while still using their creativity and discipline. Haley G., a student for 4 years, said React planted a seed of confidence that allowed her to go after anything she wants, and that React changed her life. Beck J., a student for 9 years, said that through React they were able to try new ideas, create their style, grow as an artist, connect with other artists in the Indy community, and gain more opportunities to explore their craft.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
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