Buskirk-Chumley Theatre

The Buskirk-Chumley Theater is owned by the City of Bloomington and operated by BCT Management, Inc., a private non-profit organization. The mission of BCT Management, Inc. is to develop the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as a high quality and widely accessible community resource and performance venue, operated in a fiscally responsible manner. Support from the City of Bloomington, Indiana University, the Indiana Arts Commission, our many corporate sponsors and community donors helps maintain this historic community resource and bring a wide diversity of programming to the stage each year.

History

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Indiana Theater - or simply "the Indiana," as it is known to Bloomington residents - was built in 1922 as a silent movie house by Harry and Nova Vonderschmitt. In its early years, the theater had a pipe organ for movie accompaniment and bands played on the bandstand. It is said that Hoagy Carmichael led "The Collegians" here from 1925 to 1928.

Beautifully restored and outfitted with state-of-the-art technical equipment, the theater is currently managed by BCT Management, Inc., a private non-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors.

The Buskirk-Chumley has become the primary venue for the Lotus World Music Festival, Indiana University's African American Arts Institute, Cardinal Stage Company, and Jazz from Bloomington. National acts such as Andrew Bird, Regina Spektor, Arlo Guthrie, Indigo Girls, Umphrey's McGee, Kimya Dawson and John Mellencamp have graced the stage.

The Theater hosts 200 events a year, organized by more than 50 organizations making it one of the busiest community theaters in the country.

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