Now 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 movie and vaudeville theater by Harry and Nova Vonderschmitt. In its early years, the theater had a pipe organ for movie accompaniment; bands also played on the bandstand, for movies and contests. Hoagy Carmichael led “The Collegians” here from 1925 to 1928. Movies soon dominated the activity at the theater, and the Indiana continued to be a popular and memorable destination for decades.

In 1975, the Vonderschmitt family sold the theater to Kerasotes Theatres, Inc. Kerasotes altered the interior, blocking off the original balcony to add an upstairs screen, and operated the theater until 1995. Most Bloomington residents have fond memories of evenings spent enthralled by the big screen.

In December of 1995, Kerasotes gave the theater to the Bloomington Area Arts Council (BAAC) for use as a performing arts center. Garnering support from the entire community, the BAAC received donations from many prominent citizens, and the Indiana was renamed the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in honor of the local family’s generosity to the project.

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 mission of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is to develop the Theater as a high quality and widely accessible community resource and performance venue operated in a fiscally responsible manner.

The theater 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, Joshua Redman, Keb Mo, Regina Spektor, Arlo Guthrie, The Acting Company, Richard Thompson, Cowboy Junkies, Iris Dement, Rickie Lee Jones, Indigo Girls, Umphrey's McGee, Greg Brown, Amy Ray, Gillian Welch, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and John Mellencamp have graced the stage. In 2006 the Theater played host to more than 260 public performances making it one of the busiest theaters in the country.


 

The Theater is located in the heart of downtown Bloomington, just steps from over 50 shops and restaurants and only 2 blocks from the Indiana University campus.	In 1950 the theater used horse-drawn signs to advertise movie show times.	A rare outdoor photo of the marquee at night in the late 1960's.	A pipe organ was used for accompaniment during the days of silent movies which may have been lost in an arson fire that damaged the theater in 1933.
The original seating area include tiny aisles. On opening night there were at least 1300 people in the theater. Today's maximum capacity is 616.	The entranceway is filled with gold-gilded fixtures, tiles and mirrors that give the theater luxury and functionality.	When the theater underwent restoration in the mid 90's the marquee was entirely refurbished, returning it to its original brilliance	The marquee is only lit up for nights when the theater is being used and maintains its blinking for the length of every performance
Fitted with cast aluminum letters, the marquee is changed out by hand to accomodate the busy event schedule.	The stage is highly visible from every seat in the house.	The balcony can seat 260 people.	Many patrons enjoy sitting in the box seats.
The colorful marquee is decorated by cast aluminum letters that are changed by hand to accomodate upcoming events.	The original chandeliere still hangs in the inner lobby, giving a glow to every patron and performer.	Original lighting fixtures remain throughout the lobbies and are evident of the Spanish Mission Revival style	From the balcony patrons can see the stage very clearly.
Many Bloomingtonians hold memories dear of their first kisses or first movie screenings happening in the balcony.	The orchestra pit can fit up to 55 chairs increasing the total seating capacity to 616. A stage extension can be fitted to increase the stage depth.	Even the Flaming Lips have performed at the BCT!	View from the stage This is what the performers see when they look out into the audience.
The mezzanine is a great place to peoplewatch or enjoy a treat from the snack bar. The mezzanine overlooks the inner lobby.

The Buskirk-Chumley Theater is a 600 seat, historic theater located at 114 E. Kirkwood in downtown Bloomington.  Beautifully restored by the Bloomington Area Arts Council, the theater is currently managed by a private non-profit organization, BCT Management, Inc.  The theater is a valued community resource, available for public or private events.

 

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