Bedtime Stories Theater: Experiencing classic tales through unique storytelling

Once upon a time, there was a desire in Fort Wayne to express creativity through storytelling. Amber Reid, co-owner of The Local Archive, had a vision to fill that need and brought it to life through Bedtime Stories Theatre. 

Three years ago, Reid and her son participated in The Music Man at the Summit City Music Theater. From there, she started acting and volunteering in different theater spaces in the community. After seeing a performance of the show Drunk Shakespeare, Reid wanted to bring something as unique and comical to Fort Wayne. 

In January, she began to write. After sharing a draft with several of her friends who are writers and directors, they agreed the story deserved a chance on a stage. Reid set out to make that happen, working on the story and stage in early spring, followed by her first show in April. The magic of that performance gave her hope that Bedtime Stories could grow into something more.

This experience gives people the opportunity to step out of the monotony of the day and see classic stories told in a way that is different from any other theater in the area. In a theater-in-the-round setup, Bedtime Stories Theatre provides attendees with an immersive theater experience. Located at The Local Archive, over 80 seats fill the center space where several blankets are hand-stitched together and hung up to give people the experience of watching a story while sitting in a blanket fort. 

The stories told range from Greek myths and legends to tall tales and fables – all rewritten by Reid herself and brought to life by local actors. 

The audience is divided into four sections, each with a storyteller. Audience members root for their storyteller throughout the show. The immersiveness of the experience provides “a great way for the audience to see themselves in the stories and give them an outlet to tell their own,” says Reid. 

There is also a VIP section that holds two special seats and includes a charcuterie board, drinks, and the unique ability to interrupt the show three times. During the show interruptions, Bedtime Story-themed games take place; one of them being “Who’s story is it anyway?” Each storyteller gets a piece of paper to collaborate with their section of the audience to win the game. The winning section of each game gets a bookmark, and the section with the most bookmarks wins a prize at the end of the show.

Aside from providing a diverse way to tell and experience stories, another important aspect of Bedtime Stories Theatre is their collaborative efforts with other local businesses throughout Fort Wayne. For example, one of their partnerships offered DeBrands Chocolate for the winning section with the most bookmarks, and one of their current collaborations is with Bru Burger Bar on The Landing, which provides food and drink options to attendees. Audience members can preorder their meals or order in their seats, and their food will be brought right to them, giving them a “dinner and a show” experience. Reid says she hopes to partner with additional local businesses to continue to get more people connected.

To round out the connections within the community, storytellers in the show are local actors who volunteer in other theater programs throughout the city. One of Reid’s biggest goals is to have the opportunity to bring in more performers and do pop-up shows in other locations. Utilizing her own creative roots, Reid hopes to continue to provide space for anyone to feel like they can tell their story. 

In creating this unique experience in Fort Wayne, Reid has pulled from her creative and entrepreneurial background. She gained several years of experience through owning a photography company and a freelance hair company. A Fort Wayne native, Reid moved back to town eight years ago. 

“I finally wanted to go after what made my heart feel alive,” she says of her move back. 

Alongside Mariah James, Reid launched The Local Archive as a photography and videography studio space. As that community grew, they expanded and opened up to all forms of art. 

“We wanted artists to be seen as an asset to the city,” Reid explains. That expansion includes the Bedtime Stories Theatre experience. 

Shows take place on the first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each month, with a special adults-only show on Saturday evenings. Tickets can be purchased on their website at btstheatre.com. You can also check out exciting updates about upcoming shows on their Instagram profile. If you want to participate in the show as an actor, the online submission process is still open through the end of August.