Brand Development

Maplewood Playhouse

This small community theater wasn’t small at all in its ideas that the stage allows actors to explore life while learning the craft and encourages growth in a safe, open space. Their focus is inspiring participants to care for the community and engage in social issues through the stories they present. The theater also hosts a more traditional children’s program but instills the same social focus of exploration and acceptance within a supportive, sharing environment.

Maplewood Playhouse plays in a crowded space of numerous local community theaters but is set apart in its philosophy, which deserves the center stage spotlight. A very outdated, childish logo couldn’t come close to representing its forward-thinking  focus on personal growth through the process of acting and performance. A stale tagline did not distinguish their unique outlook of promoting inclusive and socially conscious programming that nurtures personal, professional and social growth.

Inspired by the seeds, growth and strength of their namesake maple tree, a visual direction of bold, fresh colors and graphics brought new life and power to their formerly traditional take on theater. Chunky letters and fun fonts brought playbill-worthy headlines into play. Direct, cause-driven language brought a mission and message forth to bear fruit: We cultivate community theater for actors and audiences that nurtures creative intelligence, personal growth, and an enlightened appreciation of art, self, and others.