| Admission | Hours | Description |
| Arts and Theatre | | | |
American Passion Play
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
110 E. Mulberry Street
Bloomington
309/829-3903
800/354-9640
website | | | Now in its 82nd season, the American Passion Play was conceived by Delmar D. Darrah to show the life and ministry of Christ as a vital, living force. Although this is the oldest continuously performed Passion Play in the United States, it is not a static drama. The production has changed to reflect modern historical knowledge of the era but has remained true to the teachings of Jesus. The auditorium is handicapped accessible and designed to accommodate large groups.
Preformed end of February to first of April.
Buffet lunch available by reservation only.
|
Bloomington Center
for the Performing Arts
110 E. Mulberry Street
Bloomington
309/434-2787
website
| | | Built in 1922 to house the American Passion Play, the landmark former Scottish Rate Temple is the centerpiece of downtown Bloomington's new Cultural District. The Performance Center's 1,300 seat theatre and 1,000 person, multi-purpose ballroom welcome over 400 performances and community events each year. A major renovation of the theater is underway with a grand re-opening in 2006. |
Bloomington Cultural District
107 E. Chestnut Street
Bloomington
309/494-2787
website | | | The Bloomington Cultural District is a three block art, education and entertainment complex currently being developed in downtown Bloomington. Centered around the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, the Cultural District will also include a new Festival Park and a Creativity Center for arts education. District neighbors include the McLean County Arts Center and Old House Society. The Cultural District will open its first facility, the newly renovated 1,200 seat performing arts center, in September 2006. |
Braden Auditorium
Illinois State University
Normal
309/438-5444
website | | | Eight to ten annual shows feature a variety of Broadway musicals, pop and country stars, touring variety shows, comedians, and big name performers.
(September-December and February-May) |
Castle Theater
209 East Washington St.
Bloomington
309/829-4647
website | | | The Castle Theater is the area's only independently owned and operated movie theater and offers its patrons a unique and stylish alternative to the traditional movie going experience. Going to the movies should be an exciting event and while renovating the theater, we have recaptured some of that old time magic while adding some modern perks. |
Community Players Theatre
201 Robinhood Lane
Bloomington
309/663-2121
website | | | Community Player's 2004 -2005 Season concludes with productions that are really something to "C": the drama of Tennessee Williams' A Cat of a Hot Tin Roof, and the family comedy of The Curious Savage. The summer lights up with The Wizard of Oz as our annual fundraiser. Call for ticket reservations and show times or check us out online. |
Heartland Theatre
Lincoln & Beecher Streets
Normal Community Activity Center
One Normal Plaza
Box Office 309/452-8709
Fax 309/698-0802
website | | | Heartland Theatre Company is a non-profit, professional quality intimate theatre founded 20 years ago that performs six dynamic and provocative plays from June through May in Normal. Heartland's Annual 10-Minute Play Festival attracts playwrights from all over he country and audiences from across Illinois. In addition to its regular season, Heartland partners with local organizations to offer epic historical and musical theatre to the community. |
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Ewing Manor, 48 Sunset Road
Corner of Towanda & Emerson
Bloomington
309/438-8110
Box Office 438-2535
Group Sales 438-2141
website | Ticket Prices: $20-$40
Group Rates Available | | Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars at Bloomington-Normal's nationally renowned Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Experience the intimate atmosphere of historic Ewing Manor, and see the Bard's works brought to life. Come early to view the free Green Show, complete with Madrigal Singers to enjoy your own picnic or food provided by Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano.
Adding to the excitement surrounding the Shakespeare Festival is The Theatre at Ewing, a permanent home to the Shakespeare Festival. Extra measures have been taken to enhance the comfort of the patrons and the performers. This year's schedule includes Macbeth, Twelfth Night, and King Henry VIII.
(June 29-August 13) |
Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts
Normal
309/438-2535
website
| | | Dedicated in 2002, this beautiful new building houses the Mainstage performances for the School of Music and the School of Theatre. Both Schools have annual series, guest artists, and award winning performances. Tickets may be purchased by calling 438-2535 or visiting the website.
|
Illinois State University School of Music
ISU Center for the Performing Arts
Centennial East Building
Normal
309/438-3838
website | | | Bringing the finest music to Central Illinois, Illinois State University boasts world-renowned faculty and guest artists performing works by the great composers of yesterday and today. |
Illinois State University Theatre
Centennial East Building
Normal
309/438-2535
website | | | An annual series, held in the Westhoff Theatre and the intimate Allen Theatre, featuring classic and contemporary productions. Alums of this program include Laurie Metcalf, John Malkovich, Suzanne Douglas, Gary Griffin and Gary Cole. (October-April) |
University Galleries @ Illinois State University
110 Center for
the Visual Arts
Normal
309/438-5487
website | | Hours during school year:
Saturday - Monday Noon - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Friday 9:30a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Call for summer hours. | University Galleries is one of the largest and most active downstate art facilities dedicated to presenting contemporary art in all media. Exhibitors range from student and faculty shows to works by emerging and renowned artists from across the United States and around the world. Two to four exhibits run concurrently in four galleries. Recently shown artists include: Nan Goldin, Barbara Kruger, Tony Tasset, Neo Rauch, David Byrne, Nina Bovasso, and Jim Torok. |
The Merwin & Wakeley Galleries
Illinois Wesleyan University
6 Ames Plaza West
Bloomington
309/556-3822
website
| | Gallery Hours:
Monday - Friday: 12-4pm
Tuesday Evening: 7-9pm
Saturday & Sunday: 1 - 4 pm
Call for summer hours | The Merwin and Wakeley Galleries present nine exhibitions yearly, featuring work in all media by contemporary artists as well as historical works and two students shows: The Annual Juried Student Exhibition and BFA/BA Senior Exhibits. Every other year, the Galleries host an exhibit of recent work by the School of Art Faculty. |
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Westbrook Auditorium/Presser Hall
Bloomington
309/556-3061
website | | | Four choral ensembles, five instrumental ensembles, a vocal jazz group, and talented faculty, students and guest artists perform numerous concerts and recitals each year. Music of all style periods is featured. |
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Theatre Arts
McPherson Theatre
2 Ames Plaza
Bloomington
309/556-3232
website | | | Four main stage plays are performed annually, selected from a playbill ranging from Shakespeare to musicals. Richard Jenkins, Alison LaPlaca and James Sutorius began their rise to stardom on the McPherson stage. (September-May) Call or visit us online for performance dates & tickets. |
McLean County Arts Center
601 N. East Street
Bloomington
309/829-0011
website | Admission: Free | Tuesday
10am - 7pm
Wed - Fri
10am - 5pm
Saturday
12pm - 4pm
Closed
Sunday and Monday
| The McLean County Arts Center is a non-profit community art resource. Comprised of two art galleries, three classrooms and a gift gallery, it is one of the oldest arts organizations in the Midwest. Annually, it hosts fourteen art exhibitions, including an annual amateur art competition and the Holiday Treasures exhibition and sale. It also sponsors, in July, the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in downtown Normal and, in March, The Spring Bloom Arts Festival in downtown Bloomington. |
Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theater
Miller Park
1020 S. Morris Avenue
Bloomington
309/434-2260 | | | The stage is set to come alive during the summer with two theater productions. This outdoor theater tradition brings a large audience to the park to enjoy the talents of the Bloomington-Normal area theatrical community. (June-August) |
Normal Theater
209 North St.
Normal
309/454-9722
309/454-9720
National Register of Historic Sites
website | Movies are $4.00 | | Located in downtown Normal, the Normal Theater opened in 1937 and was the first theater built in Bloomington-Normal specifically for sound films.
The Normal Theater has been completely restored to its original condition. In addition to showing classic movies and art films to audiences, the theater is used for a variety of activities including live theater and music performances, group outings and meetings. The strong art-deco/modern design was then very avant-garde for a small Illinois town. |
Prairie Fire Theater
Normal
309/824-3047
website | | | Professional Musical Theatre of Central Illinois from Pop to Opera |
| Music and Dance | | | |
USA Ballet
1615 E. Empire St. #1105
Bloomington
309/665-0300
Fax 309/665-0021
website | | | USA Ballet is an International Ballet Company celebrating its 16th anniversary as a sought-after touring company. Under the artistic direction of Michelle Holmes-Bello, USAB is providing audiences with thrilling and exciting performances from coast to coast showcasing their artists who are from America, Japan, Argentina, Canada, and China. Don't miss them as they perform in the fall, winter and spring at IWU! A special highlight is their original "Twas the Night Before Christmas". For season tickets, to watch rehearsals or for more information, stop in at Eastland Mall. |
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