Indianapolis Performing Arts – the Spice of Indianapolis Society

If the world-famous Indianapolis sports events are the marrow of Indianapolis, Indiana, then the live arts are the lifeblood of this midwestern jewel. Art in Indianapolis wields great influence over the people who live there, and the Indianapolis art community is second to that of very few cities of the world. The “Circle City,” as Indianapolis is sometimes fondly referred to, is an active, prosperous and attractive city, rife with history and pioneer spirit. One can righteously state that Indianapolis culture and creativity are its fount and foundation.

Below is a list of some of the outstanding companies and performing arts theatres in fabulous Indy.

	The American Cabaret Theatre (ACT) originated in New York but is now wowing audiences with its professional productions in the newly renovated Athenaeum building in Indianapolis downtown.
	American Pianists Association in Indianapolis offers fellowships for talented pianist to bridge the gap between training programs and a professional career.
	Anderson Symphony Orchestra is one of Indianapolis’ many professional orchestras that perform for and enrich Indianapolis society. The Anderson Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1967 by leaders in the Anderson University community.
	Asante Children’s Theatre Highly respected as a training and performance arts center for children from the age of nine to twenty-one.
	Butler University Theater is one of the most innovative and thought provoking theaters in Indianapolis. By showcasing young talent in college students they introduce fresh ideas and faces.
	Basile Opera Center- Home of the Indianapolis Opera Company, this former church operates as an education, practice and business facility.
	Beef and Boards Dinner Theater is a fabulous 500-seat facility on Michigan Road. It draws its performers from New York and Chicago, as well as locally, and offers the full spectrum in stage excellence. A must on your list of Indianapolis things to do.
	The Buck Creek Players Theatre puts on full-length musicals and stage plays regularly, and even finds the energy to sustain a young performers group. This dedicated volunteer group enjoys a good reputation for staging professional theater at community theater ticket prices.
	Capital City Chorus is Indianapolis’ premiere female show choir, committed to spreading the Barber shop style of song dance across the world as well as bringing music education programs to Indianapolis schools.
	Carmel Symphony Orchestra is one of Indianapolis’ many symphony orchestras that enrich Indianapolis culture. Located in Carmel, Indiana, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra is self-proclaimed as “kid friendly.”
	Clowes Memorial Hall- A world-class, all-around performance venue, Clowes Memorial Hall is the auditorium for Butler University.
	Dance Kaleidoscope recently passed the three decade mark, establishing this amazing dance ensemble high among similar dance companies. During four performances per year, they collaborate with the American Pianists Association, the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the American Cabaret Theater.
	The Earth House Collective is an eclectic performing arts venue for music, dance, and theater.
	Footlite Musicals – a troupe of musician thespians who perform the most current Broadway hits along with the classics. Footlite has made a lasting home in the historic Hedback Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.
	Freetown Village Inc. brings to life African American culture during the end of the 19th Century. Just after the Civil War ended, thousands of black families were discovering freedom for the first time. At Freetown Village Inc. you and your family can see this piece of history illuminated by real people!
	Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre This professional dance company showcases though-provoking performances and sponsors a variety of youth programs.
	The Heartland Actors Repertory Theater creates accessible theater for Midwestern audiences at extremely affordable prices, sometimes even for free.
	The Indianapolis Civic Theatre harks back to a solid beginning in 1914 and offers a well-rounded program of the professional performing arts, as well as community outreach programs. This is Indianapolis’ longest-running community theater, neck and neck with any similar venture in the world. Distinguished on many levels, this community theater company has been delighting audiences for almost a century with its stage plays productions.
	Indiana Repertory Theatre Always on the list of top Indianapolis attractions.
	Indiana Wind Symphony is a music ensemble dedicated to playing a wide variety of music in a professional season to bring Indianapolis a quality wind symphony.
	Indianapolis Brass Choir is a volunteer music ensemble of professional and nonprofessional musicians, who play together to raise money for charities.
	Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra is Indianapolis’ premiere chamber orchestra and a jewel in the Indianapolis music scene. The ICO is located on the campus of Butler University as part of the college’s Arts Collaborative. You can see them perform at Clowes Memorial Hall.
	Indianapolis Children’s Choir This well-known and highly respected choral group draws its 1500 singers from 325 schools in and around Indianapolis.
	Indianapolis Comedy Clubs prescribe the best medicine possible; all over Indy people are taking their daily dose of funny at any of these hilarious hot spots. There is no doubt that phenomenons from television like NBC’s Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central’s many stand-up comedy series have swept the nation. However, nothing beats a live show, and that is what comedy clubs across the Circle City have to offer to the people of Indianapolis.
	Indianapolis Dance Schools are top-notch. These schools offer a wide variety of style or genre for real movers and shakers of any age who are looking to get groovy.
	Indianapolis Maennerchor Inc. is the oldest men’s choir in America, preserving the tradition of German choral music in Indianapolis for over 150 years.
	Indianapolis Murat Centre A fascinating and historic facility in its own right, the Murat Theatre regularly hosts concerts and musicals, as well as other special events.
	The Indianapolis Opera performs four full productions per season at Butler University in the Clowes Memorial Hall. They collaborate with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra or the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and various local choruses, and breathe the spirit of the Muse into the hearts and minds of over 50,000 young people through their educational outreach program. They also perform with a different group of local singers each year called the Indianapolis Opera Chorus.
	Indianapolis Symphonic Choir is a professional musical partner with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are dedicated to producing the highest quality choral music in concert throughout the city of Indianapolis.
	Since 1930, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (the ISO) has established themselves among the best of the best, worldwide. Players come from all over the world, as well as locally, to present a wide variety of professional orchestral music, reaching over a half million audience members every year.
	The International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, founded in 1982, is mounted every four years in Indianapolis, Indiana. Considered one of the foremost music competitions of its kind in the world, the International Violin Competition will next convene September 10-26 in 2010.
	The Irvington Artist Concert Series is an Indianapolis concert series serving up some of the best musical performances to celebrate Irvington, Indiana.
	Madame Walker Theatre Center, in the Indiana Avenue cultural district of Indianapolis, has a constant flow of top-notch performers at their historic facility all year long.
	The Melchoir Marionettes is a puppet theater in Nashville, Indiana, a central Indiana city near Indianapolis, that bring to life marionette puppet shows.
	Motus Dance Theatre is one of the premiere dance companies in Indianapolis and have performed in some of the top venues such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Artsgarden, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Arts Center and the Herron School of Art and Design. Motus has also become a staple, must see attraction at the annual indyFringe Festival.
	The Mud Creek Players, Inc. is a volunteer organization in Geist that puts on plays in the aptly named Mud Creek Barn (as it is, in fact, a barn.) The unassuming barn is as much a part of Indianapolis history as Peyton Manning and Tony Hulman. The Mud Creek Players have been around for 50 years, and have evolved from a lonely group of WWII valley women to a bustling troupe of actors involved in both Indianapolis performing arts and the Indianapolis nonprofit community.
	Music For All is one of the largest nonprofit music education and advocacy organizations. This organization is dedicated to making music available to all through educational programs and spreading awareness about the importance of music education in our schools.
	New Horizons Band of Indianapolis is part of New Horizons International Music Association developed to give senior citizens an outlet for musical expression. These senior citizens get the most out of life by getting the most out of their music!
	NoExit Theater Company is exploring theater by the mantra “imagination without boundaries.” By blending the old with the new they are creating a style that is all their own.
	Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis This volunteer based orchestra performs classical and pops concerts throughout Indianapolis.
	Phoenix Theatre is located in the heart of the Mass Ave cultural district. This theater is committed to producing original or newly premiered work, and definitely has success at attracting a young hip crowd.
	The Pike Performing Arts Center produces top-notch music and dance concerts and stage plays in its modern 1,450-seat facility, which is in itself a work of art. The venue is an elegant and modern, 1450-seat facility that offers just about every conceivable form of quality live entertainment, from music to dance to comedy.
	ShadowApe Theatre Company-A company manned by local, professional artists, designers, and actors who hope to challenge the intellect and surprise.
	Storytelling Arts of Indiana is an Indianapolis nonprofit organization committed to spreading the art of storytelling throughout the state by offering special events, performances, workshops, and festivals.
	The Theatre on the Square- Two fully operating stages form the focal points of this ambitious dramatic company, working in the Mass Ave Cultural District.
	The Theater Within produces socially challenging dramas to spark conversation among the people of Indianapolis.
	The University of Indianapolis Theater Department offers up a full season of plays and a solid educational program for students interested in theater.
	Warren Performing Arts Center- Now in its 25th year, the WPAC is the spectacular host for some of the finest musicians and dance troupes in the country.
	Young Actors Theatre- The oldest non-profit theater in Indianapolis, YAT specializes in a full range of instruction for kids on everything pertaining to the dramatic arts.