Starbase Indy is a

science fiction convention Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of the speculative fiction genre, science fiction. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expres ...

. Its mission, revised in 2017, is "Celebrating

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...

's vision of the future by promoting

humanitarianism Humanitarianism is an active belief in the value of human life, whereby humans practice benevolent treatment and provide assistance to other humans to reduce suffering and improve the conditions of humanity for moral, altruistic, and emotional ...

and

STEM Stem or STEM may refer to: Plant structures * Plant stem, a plant's aboveground axis, made of vascular tissue, off which leaves and flowers hang * Stipe (botany), a stalk to support some other structure * Stipe (mycology), the stem of a mushro ...

education today." Working to promote

Gene Roddenberry Eugene Wesley Roddenberry Sr. (August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991) was an American television screenwriter, producer, and creator of ''Star Trek: The Original Series'', its sequel spin-off series ''Star Trek: The Animated Series,'' and ''Sta ...

's vision of a hopeful future, Starbase Indy reorganized as public benefit corporation with the purpose of raising the interest and improving the knowledge and skills of all ages in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through engagement in public discussion, lectures, and hands-on programs during a yearly event in November. The organization also works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination through intentional inclusivity, promotion of diversity, and specifically designed activities. Starbase Indy has also launched a related

podcast A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. For example, an episodic series of digital audio or video files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosing ...

, th
Starbase Indy Podcast
which interviews people who are inspired by

or science fiction to work toward a hopeful future in the real world. The podcast has included actors, writers, artists, directors, scientists, academics, and researchers, many of whom have spoken at the live event in November. Starbase Indy is held annually during the Friday through Sunday of

Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Philippines. It is also observed in the Netherlander town of Leiden and ...

weekend in

Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Mari ...

. It draws attendees mainly from the

Midwestern United States The Midwestern United States, also referred to as the Midwest or the American Midwest, is one of four census regions of the United States Census Bureau (also known as "Region 2"). It occupies the northern central part of the United States. I ...

, but attendees have registered from as far away as

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

History

The idea for Starbase Indy germinated after Indianapolis ''Star Trek'' fans attended a convention in

St. Louis St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...

, and decided to create their own convention. The first Starbase Indy was held in March 1988 in the

Adam's Mark Hotel Adam's Mark Hotels & Resorts was a chain of upscale hotels in the United States. The company was headquartered in the HBE Corporation offices in Creve Coeur, Missouri, in Greater St. Louis.Michael Dorn Michael Dorn (born December 9, 1952) is an American actor best known for his role as the Klingon Worf in the '' Star Trek'' franchise. He has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other ''Star Trek'' actor in the franchise's histo ...

, who portrayed Worf in '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', and

Mark Lenard Mark Lenard (born Leonard Rosenson, October 15, 1924 – November 22, 1996) was an American actor, primarily in television. His most famous role was as Sarek, father of Spock, in the science fiction ''Star Trek'' franchise, in both the origina ...

, who played

Sarek Sarek is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. He is a Vulcan astrophysicist, the Vulcan ambassador to the United Federation of Planets, and father of Spock. The character was originally played by Mark Lenard in the epi ...

on ''

Star Trek: The Original Series ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that follows the adventures of the starship and its crew. It later acquired the retronym of ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' (''TOS'') to distinguis ...

''. The convention moved to the Marriott East in Indianapolis, and the now-traditional

weekend.Beginning in 1989, the convention adopted "The Next Generation" as part of its name, then "The Third Generation" in 1990, and so on. With "Starbase Indy: The Eighth Generation" in 1995, the local organizing committee ended the initial run of Starbase Indy. In 2004, after a professional convention-company bowed out, a new fan-run committee organized "Starbase Indy: the Ninth Generation." In 2008 Vulkon Entertainment, which had planned to take over the convention, bowed out days before the event. Local fans put together a one-day event, known as Freekon, and later in 2009 began meeting monthly to plan the 2009 Starbase Indy convention. The local organizing-committee has continued the Thanksgiving-weekend tradition ever since. For 2011, due to the hotel schedule, the convention had to be moved to Dec. 9–11. For 2012, the convention returned to its three-day Thanksgiving-weekend tradition. In 2015, Starbase Indy returned to its original home, now known as the Wyndham Indianapolis West. In 2017, Starbase Indy began a rebranding effort, adopting a new mission statement, "Celebrating ''Star Treks vision of the future by promoting humanitarianism and STEM education today." While continuing the "Geek Family Thanksgiving Tradition" convention programming, organizers are also increasing the amount of science-programming available at the convention. In 2021, the live event was back at the Indianapolis Marriott East, where it is expected to stay through 2024.

Guest stars

2023 *

Larry Nemecek Larry Nemecek (born January 18, 1959) is an American who has worked in various capacities on the '' Star Trek'' franchise. Professional career He has portrayed Dr. McCoy in the Star Trek Continues web series episodes "Pilgrim of Eternity" and " ...

Dr. Mohamed Noor

Bonnie Gordon

Moxie Ann Magnus
2022
Bill Blair

Sandy Gimpel

Bonnie Gordon

Dr. Bill Sullivan

Jennifer Usellis

Aaron Waltke

Demetrius Witherspoon
2021
Tracee Lee Cocco

Gary Frank

Juniper Jairala

Boldly Go!

Jennifer Usellis
* Geeks and Groves 2020 No event held due to pandemic Erin Macdonald at Starbase Indy 2019

2019 *

Mary Chieffo Mary Elizabeth Chieffo (born November 7, 1992) is an American actress known for portraying the Klingon '' L'Rell'' on the television series '' Star Trek: Discovery''. Biography Chieffo was born and grew up in the neighborhood of Valley Village, ...

Tracee Lee Cocco

Mimi Craven
*

Keith DeCandido Keith Robert Andreassi DeCandido (born April 18, 1969) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and musician, who works on comic books, novels, role-playing games and video games, including numerous media tie-in books for properties such ...

Chris Doohan Christopher Barrett Doohan (born June 28, 1959) is a Canadian actor, one of twin sons of ''Star Trek'' actor James Doohan. Chris and his brother, Montgomery, made uncredited appearances as background extras in the first franchise movie: '' Star ...

* Dr. Erin Macdonald 2018
Breakfast Anytime

Bill Blair

Sandy Gimpel
* Francois Chau * Five Year Mission
Jennifer Usellis
* Dr. Erin Macdonald
Moxie Ann Magnus
* Lawrence M. Schoen
Carl Taliaferro

The ShakeUps
2017
John Billingsley

Bonnie Friedericy

Robert O'Reilly

Kyle Hill

Dr. Mohamed Noor
2016
Sandy Gimpel
*

Dominic Keating Dominic Keating (''né'' Power; born 1 July 1961) is a British television, film and theatre actor known for his portrayals of Tony in the Channel 4 sitcom ''Desmond's'' and Lieutenant Malcolm Reed on ''Star Trek: Enterprise''. Early life and ...

Chase Masterson Chase Masterson (born Christianne Carafano on February 26, 1963) is an American actress and singer. Early life Chase Masterson was born Christianne Carafano in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As her father was in the Army,Larry Nemecek Larry Nemecek (born January 18, 1959) is an American who has worked in various capacities on the '' Star Trek'' franchise. Professional career He has portrayed Dr. McCoy in the Star Trek Continues web series episodes "Pilgrim of Eternity" and " ...

Marc Okrand Marc Okrand (; born July 3, 1948) is an American linguist. His professional work is in Native American languages, and he is well known as the creator of the Klingon language in the ''Star Trek'' science fiction franchise. Linguistics As a ling ...

Garrett Wang Garrett Richard Wang () (; born December 15, 1968) is an American actor. Wang is known for his role in '' Star Trek: Voyager'' as Ensign Harry Kim. Early life Wang was born in Riverside, California, to Taiwanese immigrant parents. He has one si ...

2015 *

Jay Acovone Jay Acovone (born August 20, 1955) is an American actor. Among his most famous roles is Charles Kawalsky in the TV series Stargate SG-1. Personal life Acovone was born in New York City. His family later moved to Mahopac, New York where his pare ...

Lee Arenberg Lee Arenberg (born July 18, 1962) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Pintel, one of Captain Barbossa's crew, in the '' Pirates of the Caribbean film series''. He also had a recurring role as the dwarf Grumpy in the televisio ...

Jeffrey Combs Jeffrey Alan Combs (born September 9, 1954) is an American actor. He is known for starring in horror films, such as ''Re-Animator'', and appearances playing a number of characters in the ''Star Trek'' and the DC animated universe television fra ...

* Beverley Elliott *

Eric Pierpoint Eric Pierpoint (born November 18, 1950) is an American actor and author. He is perhaps best known for his role as George Francisco on Fox Network's ''Alien Nation''. He has also notably appeared on each of the first four ''Star Trek'' televisio ...

Natalia Nogulich Natalia Nogulich is an American film- and television actress and author. Nogulich was born Natalija Nogulich in Chicago, Illinois, of Serbian descent. Her best-known appearances have been on '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and '' Star Tr ...

Ona Grauer Ona Grauer is a Canadian-Mexican actress best known for her portrayal of the Ancient Ayiana and later Emily Young in the science fiction television series ''Stargate Universe'', part of the ''Stargate'' franchise. In the FX show ''Archer ...

* Chris Nowla

2014 *

Aron Eisenberg Aron Eisenberg (January 6, 1969 – September 21, 2019) was an American actor and podcaster known for his role as Nog on '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Early life Eisenberg was adopted into a Jewish family. He was born with only one partia ...

* Lolita Fatj

*

Max Grodénchik Max Grodénchik (born November 12, 1952), also known as Michael Grodénchik, is an American stage, film, and television actor, best known for his role as Rom, a recurring character on the television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Biogr ...

Paul McGillion Paul McGillion is a Scottish actor, who has worked in television, film and theatre. He is best known for his role on the television series ''Stargate Atlantis'' as Dr. Carson Beckett. Early life McGillion was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Sco ...

David Nykl David Nykl (born 7 February 1967) is a Czech-Canadian actor of film, television, commercials and theater. He is best known for portraying Dr. Radek Zelenka in the SyFy television series ''Stargate Atlantis'' and Anatoly Knyazev in the DC Comi ...

* John Paladi

* David Reddick *

Kate Vernon Katherine Elizabeth Vernon (born April 21, 1961) is a Canadian-born American actress. She is known for her roles as Lorraine Prescott on the CBS primetime soap opera ''Falcon Crest'' (from 1984–1985), the stuck-up and popular Benny Hanson in t ...

Nana Visitor Nana Tucker ( ; born July 26, 1957), known professionally as Nana Visitor, is an American actress, best known for playing Kira Nerys in the television series ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' and Jean Ritter in the television series ''Wildfire''. ...

2013 *

René Auberjonois René Murat Auberjonois (; June 1, 1940 – December 8, 2019) was an American actor and director. He was best known for portraying Odo on '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (1993–1999). He first achieved fame as a stage actor, winning the Tony Aw ...

Teryl Rothery Teryl Rothery is a Canadian actress of stage, television, and film. She is best known for portraying Janet Fraiser in the TV series ''Stargate SG-1''. She co-starred as Grace Sherman in ''Cedar Cove (TV series), Cedar Cove'', and has had major ...

Suzie Plakson Suzie Plakson is an American actress. Early life and education Born Susan Plaksin in Buffalo, New York, she was raised in Kingston, Pennsylvania and attended Northwestern University. Career Plakson began her career on the stage, and playe ...

Armin Shimerman Armin Shimerman (born November 5, 1949) is an American actor and author. Early life Shimerman was born into a Jewish family in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, Lakewood, New Jersey, on November 5, 1949, the son of accountant Susan and house painte ...

Musetta Vander Musetta Vander (born Musetta van der Merwe; 26 May 1963) is a South African actress, model and dancer. Biography In 1991, Vander landed her first notable role, portraying Zander Tyler in seven episodes of the action-adventure TV series '' Supe ...

* John Paladi

* David Reddick 2012 *

Alexis Cruz Alexis Cruz (born September 29, 1974) is an American actor, known for his performances as Rafael in ''Touched by an Angel'' and as Skaara in ''Stargate'' and ''Stargate SG-1''. Biography Cruz was born in The Bronx of Puerto Rican descent. His mo ...

Nicole de Boer Nicole de Boer is a Canadian actress. She is best known for starring in the cult film ''Cube'' as Joan Leaven, playing Ezri Dax on the final season of '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (1998–1999), and as Sarah Bannerman on the series '' The ...

J. G. Hertzler John Garman Hertzler Jr. (born March 18, 1950) is an American actor, author, screenwriter, and activist best known for his role on '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' as the Klingon General (later Chancellor) Martok, whom he portrayed from 1995 unt ...

Robert O'Reilly Robert O'Reilly (born March 25, 1950) is an American film, stage, and television actor who has appeared in a variety of roles. He appeared in the ''Star Trek'' franchise for over ten years, primarily in his recurring role on '' Star Trek: The Nex ...

* John Paladi

* David Reddick * Dr. David Wolf (astronaut), David Wolf 2011 *

John Billingsley John Billingsley (, born May 20, 1960) is an American actor best known for his role as Doctor Phlox on the television series ''Star Trek: Enterprise''. Early life and education Billingsley was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and subsequently live ...

Bonita Friedericy Bonita Anne Friedericy (born October 10, 1961) is an American actress, best known for her role as Diane Beckman in the NBC series ''Chuck''. Her husband is actor John Billingsley. Early life Friedericy was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, wa ...

* Morgan Gendel *

Dean Haglund Dean Haglund (born July 29, 1965) is a Canadian actor, known for the role of Richard "Ringo" Langly, one of The Lone Gunmen on ''The X-Files''. Haglund is also a stand-up comedian, specializing in improvisational comedy, including work with the ...

Tony Todd Tony Todd (born December 4, 1954) is an American actor who made his debut as Sgt. Warren in the film ''Platoon'' (1986), and portrayed Kurn in the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' (1990–1991) and '' Star Trek: Deep Space Ni ...

2010 *

Crystal Allen Crystal Allen (born Orange County, 13 August 1972) is an American film and television actress. Biography Allen is from Alberta, Canada. She is an actress who has starred and appeared in guest star roles, including episodes of such TV series as ...

Manu Intiraymi Manu Intiraymi (born April 22, 1978) is a film actor, writer, director and producer. As an actor, he is known for playing the former Borg Icheb on the television series '' Star Trek: Voyager'', and as Billy on ''One Tree Hill''. His producing ...

Ethan Phillips Ethan Phillips (born John Ethan Phillips February 8, 1955) is an American actor and playwright. He is best known for his television roles as Neelix on '' Star Trek: Voyager'' and PR man Pete Downey on ''Benson''. Personal life Phillips was raised ...

Tim Russ Timothy Darrell Russ (born June 22, 1956) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and musician. He is best known for his roles as Lieutenant Commander Tuvok on '' Star Trek: Voyager'', Robert Johnson in ''Crossroads'' (1986), Casey in '' E ...

* Dr. David Wolf 2009 *

Logan Huffman Logan Huffman (born December 22, 1989) is an American actor. He appeared in the 2009 TV series '' V'' and starred in the 2013 film ''Bad Turn Worse''. Personal life Huffman was born in Noblesville, Indiana, where he was the first born of tripl ...

Jeff Rector Jeff Rector (born September 12, 1958) is an American actor. He has appeared in over 60 feature films and television programs. On 28 April 2012 he hosted the launch party of the Burbank International Film Festival. He has an identical twin brot ...

* David Reddick * W. Morgan Shepherd W. Morgan Sheppard *

2008 * Luke Ski * David Reddick 2007 *

Ray Park Raymond Park (born 23 August 1974) is a Scottish actor and stuntman. He is best known for physically portraying Darth Maul in '' Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'' and '' Solo: A Star Wars Story'', along with a motion capture performa ...

* David Reddick * Luke Ski 2006 * Tim Brazeal *

Denise Crosby Denise Michelle Crosby is an American actress and model known for portraying Security Chief Tasha Yar mainly in season one of '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', and Yar's daughter, the half-Romulan Commander Sela, in subsequent seasons. She ...

* Deborah Downe

*

Gary Graham Gary Graham (born June 6, 1950) is an American actor, musician, and author. He may be best known for his starring role as Detective Matthew Sikes in the television series ''Alien Nation'' (1989–1990) and five subsequent ''Alien Nation'' televi ...

Jonathan Frakes Jonathan Scott Frakes (born August 19, 1952) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his portrayal of Commander William Riker in the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and subsequent films and series. Frakes als ...

* Mary Linda Rapely

* David Reddick *

Katee Sackhoff Katee Sackhoff (born April 8, 1980) is an American actress known for playing Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace on the Sci Fi Channel's television program ''Battlestar Galactica'' (2004–2009), Niko Breckenridge on the Netflix series '' Another ...

2005 *

Vaughn Armstrong Vaughn Dale Armstrong (born July 7, 1950) is an American actor. He is noted for portraying many characters in the '' Star Trek'' franchise, in four ''Star Trek'' television series. He is perhaps best known as the recurring character Admiral ...

* Tim Brazeal *

Richard Coyle Richard Coyle is an English actor. He portrayed lead role of Father Faustus Blackwood in Netflix series '' Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'', and Jeff Murdock in the sitcom ''Coupling''. Early and personal life Coyle was born in Sheffield, En ...

* Deborah Downe

*

* Lolita Fatj

* Menina Fortunato *

James Horan James Horan may refer to: * James Horan (actor) (born 1954), American character actor * James Horan (cricketer) (1880–1945), Australian cricketer * James Horan (Gaelic footballer) (born 1972), two-time and current Mayo manager * James Horan (mons ...

Herbert Jefferson Jr. {{BLP sources, date=March 2013 {{Infobox person , name = Herbert Jefferson, Jr. , image = Herbert Jefferson, Jr. by Gage Skidmore.jpg , caption = Herbert Jefferson, Jr., at the 2012 Phoenix Comicon , birth_date = {{birth date and age, mf=yes, 19 ...

* David Reddick 2004 *

* Deborah Downe

*

Anthony Montgomery Anthony Dwayne Montgomery (born June 2, 1971) is an American film and television actor, as well as graphic novelist. He is best known for his portrayal of Ensign Travis Mayweather on the UPN science fiction television series ''Star Trek: Enterpr ...

Connor Trinneer Connor Wyatt Trinneer (born March 19, 1969) is an American film, stage, and television actor. He is best known for his roles as Charles "Trip" Tucker III on ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', Michael on the series ''Stargate Atlantis'', and Professor ...

Earlier Years Besides Michael Dorn, other guest stars at Starbase Indy have included Marina Sirtis and Majel Barrett Roddenberry in 1989;

Nichelle Nichols Nichelle Nichols (, born Grace Dell Nichols; December 28, 1932 – July 30, 2022) was an American actress, singer, and dancer best known for her portrayal of Nyota Uhura in ''Star Trek'' and its film sequels. Nichols' portrayal of Uhura was gr ...

in 1991;

Leonard Nimoy Leonard Simon Nimoy (; March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor, famed for playing Spock in the ''Star Trek'' franchise for almost 50 years. This includes originating Spock in the original ''Star Trek'' series in 1966, then ...

in 1992;

Robert Picardo Robert Alphonse Picardo (born October 27, 1953) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the Cowboy in ''Innerspace'', Coach Cutlip on ''The Wonder Years'', Captain Dick Richard on the ABC series ''China Beach'', the Doctor on '' Star ...

and

Dwight Schultz William Dwight Schultz (born November 24, 1947) is an American television, film and voice actor. He is known for his roles as Captain "Howling Mad" Murdock on the 1980s action series ''The A-Team'' and as Reginald Barclay in the ''Star Trek'' ...

in 1995.

Convention activities

Starbase Indy is run by The Starbase, a 501c3 not for profit celebrating Star Trek's vision of the future through humanitarianism and STEM education today. The funds collected through badge sales, merchandise sales, and a silent auction support bringing more interactive, engaging, and educational activities to the annual in-person event, and paying artists and performers for their involvement. All of the organizing activities are performed by volunteers. Speakers at the event range from performers, creators, scientists, academics, and more. A comprehensive list of past program sessions can be found in the archived program guides available online for prior years, starting in 2018.
/2018

/2019

/2021

/2022
Starbase Indy has traditionally included the typical Q&A sessions with guest stars, a dealers’ room, panel discussions on science and science fiction topics, a masquerade, a dance, and appearances by scientists and authors. Programming in the past has included sessions on screenwriting, prop building, building robots,

filk music Filk music is a musical culture, genre, and community tied to science fiction, fantasy, and horror fandom and a type of fan labor. The genre has existed since the early 1950s and been played primarily since the mid-1970s. Etymology and defin ...

, and meetings for Star Trek clubs.

References

External links

*{{official website, http://www.starbaseindy.org/
Starbase Indy Podcast
Science fiction conventions in the United States Recurring events established in 1988 Organizations based in Indianapolis Star Trek fandom

History

Guest stars

Convention activities

See also

References

External links