Find Your Spark
Welcome to Phoenix Theater, where the spirit of community, creativity, and passion ignites the stage!
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Uptown, Minneapolis, we are more than just a black box theater; we are a haven for grassroots performing arts, cabarets, plays, improv shows, dance performances and more. Our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging is reflected in our multifaceted space, designed for both seasoned performers and enthusiastic patrons.
Our mission is to foster a community where the arts come alive. With an onsite team dedicated to curating unforgettable experiences, we invite you to join us in celebrating the magic that unfolds within our black box walls.
Immerse yourself in the creative energy as you explore our main stage, several rehearsal rooms, and a cozy community café – perfect for unwinding before or after a show.
Come be a part of our story, and let the Phoenix spark your imagination!
Our Team
Jenna Papke
Executive Director
Jenna Papke (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of Arts Nest, which manages the Phoenix Theater.
In her free time (such as it it), she is a freelance director.
She is the Managing Director of Smartmouth Comedy, for whom she directed Dapper Purple Plushie Co in April 2019.
Frequently she produces and directs under Glowing Ember, including Love is Never a Lie, The Maids, and The Country Wife.
Vanessa Brooke Agnes
Board Vice-Chair
Vanessa Brooke Agnes (she/her) is a Black queer artist and dreamer. Vanessa is Founding Artistic Director of Dark Muse Performing Arts, Co-Founder of Minnesota Black Theatre Circle, and an ArtsNest Board Member & DirectorWorks graduate.
She recently assistant directed at the Guthrie Theater and has directed around town at Artistry Theater, Lyric Arts, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Playwrights' Center, Red Eye Theater, Lakeshore Players Theatre, Children’s Performing Arts and others.
Vanessa is also a producer, writer and performer. Vanessa lives in South Minneapolis with her pup, Winnie. @vanessabrookeagnes
Jenny Moeller
Board Treasurer
Jenny Moeller is a props and lighting designer, director, playwright, and theater artist working in the Twin Cities. She is currently Technical Director of the Twin Cities Horror Festival, serves on the board for Arts Nest, and is the former Artistic Director of Raw Sugar. She has worked as producer, playwright, director, technical director, designer, and builder for many theaters, including Theatre Pro Rata, Nimbus, the Minnesota Opera, Southern Theater, Theatre Unbound, Four Humors, Six Points Theater, and many others. She believes that stories make us human, and has a passion for helping others bring their stories to life.
Eric Cohen
Project Manager and Board Chair
Eric Cohen (he/him/his) is the Project Manager for Arts Nest and the Phoenix Theater, which means whatever it needs to mean from moment to moment.
He has a background in circus, teaching, and engineering as well as 15 years in theatre.
In his spare time he makes theatrical and carnival masks.
Sheree Froelich
Board Secretary
Sheree Froelich (she/her) is an actor, playwright and producer.
Sheree is the founding Artistic Director of Broken Wing Productions, Co-Host of the YouTube channel Singin with Scot, company member of Freshwater Theater and board member at The Arts Nest.
She has a background as a medical practice consultant, sales executive and over 20 years of theater experience.
In her free time, Sheree gets her fingers dirty in the garden, hikes, feeds everyone that enters their home (just like Granny did), is a self proclaimed game night junky and loves going for walks with her husband Scot and their corgi Lucy.
Sheree believes that “theater brings people together. As artists our greatest contribution to society is lifting up each other’s stories so that we can all coexist in a kinder, more thoughtful and enlightened community.”