Epilogue Players

Epilogue Players, founded in 1977, is the realization of a dream come true for the late Bertha Starkus who felt there were considerable talent and theatre interests among men and women ages 50 and older, but not much opportunity since most community theaters were geared to younger people. Starkus who could not find any other such group for older actors set out to form her own company. She had retired from teaching acting and directing and wanted to continue to do both.

Starkus sent letters to 83 businesses seeking funding. She got very little response and few donations. So, she used some of her own money to give Epilogue its start.

A squib appeared in the local newspaper inviting members to join. Starkus’s telephone rang all day with all kinds of local talent. Through Starkus’s enthusiastic leadership, the fledgling group’s dedication and hard work, and later with financial assistance from the Indiana Arts Commission, Epilogue Players was formed. A founding member suggested Epilogue as its name.

The theater’s first members indeed were 50 years old or older, but younger people were always involved, as well, behind the scenes and on the stage. Forty-one people were soon part of the group. Many early members were single adults. The first production took place in the Ruth Allison Theatre at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on February 10, 1978.

From there, the group moved to the Command Playhouse at Fort Benjamin Harrison. In 1981, comedian George Burns, then 85 years old, attended the Epilogue Players annual banquet rating the group with “five out of five cigars” and praising his “younger colleagues” for their talent. 

In 1982, the commander of Fort Benjamin Harrison closed the Command Playhouse. Undaunted, Epilogue kept presenting plays at various places, including churches. In 1984, the group began renting space at 1849 North Alabama Street, part of the Hedback Community Theatre, though a separate building. Phil Hedback, who owned and operated businesses in the neighborhood, purchased and saved the Epilogue Theatre property, along with the former home of Civic Theatre at 1847 N. Alabama Street, for use as a performance space and donated the property to Footlite Musicals.

The building in which its theater is located was constructed in late 1897 or early 1898. For most of its history, the first floor, where the Epilogue theater is located, operated as a drug store. The upper floors contained residential units. Epilogue’s theater space in the former drugstore holds 65 people.

Through the years, many of Epilogue’s productions have sold out. The company has been able to make many interior and exterior improvements to its theater space. Epilogue dropped its age requirements, accepting members who are 18 years or older. The company presents five shows per year in a season that begins in the fall and ends in summer. It specializes in comedies, dramas, and mysteries.