ISO hires former Omaha Symphony, New York Pops leader as CEO
James Johnson will take over the largest arts-related employer in Indiana, where he’ll oversee 55 administrative staff members, 74 full-time musicians and a $26 million operating budget.
Performing Arts
Articles
Bassoonist settles age-discrimination lawsuit against symphony
Bassoonist John Wetherill, 63, alleged years of age discrimination and harassment by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra conductor Krzysztof Urbanski, and said ISO leadership knowingly allowed it to occur.
Fishers organizing new event to replace Freedom Festival
The city of Fishers on Tuesday announced a new event to replace the Freedom Festival—a 29-year-old summer celebration that was called off last year over financial issues.
Foundation plots new life for theater
Under a Central Indiana Community Foundation plan, Theatre on the Square will cease producing shows and will instead find an arts group to manage its venue for other theater organizations.
Simon widow donates massive estate to Songbook Foundation
The widow of Mel Simon is donating her entire 107-acre estate in Carmel to the Great American Songbook Foundation—a gift valued at more than $30 million that the foundation plans to use to help it establish a major museum in central Indiana.
‘Smiley Show’ sidekick launching improv comedy club
Will Pfaffenberger’s passion project, featuring shows made up on the spot, is slated to debut in February.
Symphony reports record ticket sales, balanced budget
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra experienced its fifth straight year of record ticket sales during the 2016-17 season while meeting budget projections for the fourth time in five years.
Jim Nabors, actor and Indy 500 ‘Back Home’ singer, dies at 87
Jim Nabors, the Alabama-born comic actor who sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" at Indianapolis 500 pre-race ceremonies 36 times, was remembered Thursday as “a Hoosier to all of us.”
Pacers generate record revenue from ancillary events at fieldhouse
Pacers Sports & Entertainment finished a record year this summer—not on the court but in its management of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Lechleiters donate $2.5 million to Indiana Repertory Theatre
The largest individual gift in the theater’s history will be used to create the James Still Playwright-in-Residence Fund.
Carmel performing arts center taps interim CEO as new leader
Jeffrey C. McDermott, a longtime partner with Indianapolis-based law firm Krieg DeVault, won’t have a significantly different commute as the permanent CEO of The Center for the Performing Arts.
Entrepreneurs plan to renovate historic Anderson theater
Past attempts to salvage the State Theatre focused on restoring it as a historical venue, but the new operators say the site needs to offer something different. One of their inspirations is The Vogue in Indianapolis.
The Cabaret finds permanent home in historic building
The Cabaret will lease from Buckingham a portion of the Metzger Building, the former Rollerland skating rink at 924 N. Pennsylvania St. that houses the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Gallery 924.
Great American Songbook Foundation joins forces with Grammy Museum
In a move that puts it in the company of the National Blues Museum in St. Louis and the Beatles Story in England, the Carmel-based Great American Songbook Foundation has been named a Cultural Affiliate of the Grammy Museum.
Brown County officials announce plan for $10M concert venue
The county-owned Maple Leaf Performing Arts Center, planned near Nashville, is expected to host concerts in multiple music genres, according to hospitality officials.
Ginstling leaving Indianapolis Symphony after four years as CEO
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra CEO Gary Ginstling is leaving the ISO to become executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, the NSO announced Monday.
LOU’S VIEWS: Art for art’s sake–while helping the community, too
What would happen if, say, a playwright, a video artist, a sculptor and a musician got together for a few weeks to try to create something without concern about who would see the final product … or even if there were a final product?
Kroger to replace Marsh as title sponsor for Symphony on the Prairie
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has quickly found a new title sponsor for its Symphony on the Prairie summer concert series after Marsh Supermarkets ended its 35-year run.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse ups security after Manchester explosion
One of Indiana's top concert venues is stepping up security measures following a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people.
Pat McAfee’s Barstool Heartland media firm taking downtown loft space
The 10,000-square-foot space on North Meridian will feature a multimedia television and radio studio, basketball court, golf simulator, entertainment area and private editing rooms.