The earliest documents that outline the purpose of PPTG are created. Proposed by founders Micheal Rhynes and Clifton Williamson, PPTG, the known as "Auburn Phoenix Players," is proposed with the goal of transcending labels and criminality through theatre techniques and personal development.

A second, more detailed proposal is drafted and submitted to the Auburn Correctional Facility for approval, with the name changed to Phoenix Players Theatre Group. This is because the group's co-founders both realized that, while they were "in" Auburn, they were not "of" Auburn.

PPTG's motto is penned by founding generation member Michael Shane Hale: "We are a community of transformation. Through the power of self-discovery, we create the opportunity to know and grow into ourselves."

PPTG puts on their first live performance, "Inside/Out," for an invited audience in April 2011. The performance features several members of the founding generation, including David Bendezu, Kenneth Brown, Efraim Diaz, Michael Shane Hale, and Michael Rhynes.

PPTG's second performance piece, "Maximum Will," is performed in April 2012. Rooted in Shakespeare, the performance features members of the founding generation performing original texts that are interwoven with material from Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. In August of 2012, PPTG welcomes its second- generation members.

After the performance of "Maximum Will," the group continues to train together with second-generation members Nate Powell, Demetrius Molina, Leroy Taylor, James Squires, and Eric Paris Whitfield. PPTG performs their third original piece, "An Indeterminate Life," in May 2014. In August 2014, PPTG welcomes its third-generation members.

In 2016, PPTG releases the documentary HUMAN AGAIN, which follows the five original members of PPTG as they train, rehearse and perform their devised theatre piece, "Maximum Will." In April, the Auburn Public Theatre produces a multimedia production of excerpts from the documentary, intercut with monologues written by the men of PPTG and student collaborators.

Continuing PPTG and third-generation members Sheldon P. Johnson, Phil Miller, Adam Roberts, Jim Ryant, Raymond Van Clief, and Larry Greene train together. On May 12th, 2016, the group performs their fourth devised piece, "This Incarcerated Life: The Foundation of a Pipe Dream." Phil Miller is released before the performance takes place. PPTG welcomes its fourth-generation members.

PPTG creates and first offers a Prison Theatre course for Cornell students in the spring semester of 2017: Prison Theatre and the Possibilities of Transformation. Students attend the Friday evening workshops at Auburn Correctional Facility, going through the workshop training regimen alongside the men of PPTG.

PPTG begins training its fourth generation of members, including Robert Lawrence, Mark Thompson, Jerome Walker, Tyreek Williams, and Jake Winters. The group presents its fifth original performance for an invited audience on May 24th, 2018 after which the fifth-generation is invited to join.

In 2020, PPTG prepares for their sixth live performance. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the group was unable to perform.

During the COVID restrictions for 2021, PPTG members kept active by reading plays and writing autobiographies and poetry. After the lifting of COVID restrictions, PPTG resumed workshop activities, inviting five new members to join the group.

PPTG invites an additional five new members to join the group and looks forward to its next performance!

PPTG opens an additional prison theater program in the Cayuga correctional facility.