By Kristen Pugh
The Indianapolis Civic Theatre (ICT) at Marian University has now moved its location to Carmel, Ind. It is now known as the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre.
Questions are beginning to rise as to why the location has changed and how Marian will occupy the empty theater left behind.
Back in 2004, Marian University welcomed The ICT to its campus bringing in many visitors and lovers of the arts. This is the Civic Theatre’s third location change; before Marian University, its original home was at the Indianapolis Museum of Art from 1973 to 2004.
“The Indianapolis Civic Theatre moved for many reasons,” said Deborah Lawrence, Vice President for Administration and General Counsel.
“Among them was the need for more space for performances, rehearsals and educational programs.”
Marian University’s partnership with the ICT brought in thousands of patrons. Lawrence feels that Marian University has lost a vital connection to the larger Indianapolis community and a cultural resource for the students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
With feelings of abandonment and disagreement of moving away from Marion County, the Civic Theatre lost 10 percent of donors and subscribers.
Bob Sobera, artistic director, and Cheri Dick, executive director, signed a 100-year lease at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre. They plan to reach to different audiences and provide various classes in the arts.
“We will use the rest of this academic year to assess the needs of the university for the now renamed Marian University Theatre,” said Lawrence.
They don’t plan to have a resident company like Civic Theatre, but “many academic departments, including the theater and music programs, would like to be able to use that space more frequently,” said Lawrence.
“Once we have determined the needs of the Marian community, we will reach out to the local arts community to offer this venue to them for performances.”
