‘The Indiana Theatre at 100: The Evolution of the Buskirk-Chumley’ premieres February 9 at 8 p.m.
Bloomington, Ind., February 2, 2023 — A new documentary from WTIU Public Television explores the story of a historic Bloomington theater and the secret to its longevity. The Indiana Theatre at 100: The Evolution of the Buskirk-Chumley premieres Thursday, February 9 at 8 p.m. on WTIU and simultaneously streams on
On December 11, 1922, a crowd of 1,300—nearly ten percent of Bloomington’s
population at the time—turned out to celebrate the opening of the Indiana Theatre.
Built by Harry P. Vonderschmitt and his wife Nova, the theater—now known as the
Buskirk-Chumley—started out showing silent movies and vaudeville acts. The legendary
composer Hoagy Carmichael and his band the Collegians played between shows.
Throughout the theater’s existence, it has weathered fires, wars, the Depression,
insolvency, and changes in ownership. While many theaters were built in the early 20th
century, few remain today. But the Indiana Theatre’s ornate façade still graces Kirkwood
Avenue in downtown Bloomington.
One hundred years after it first opened, the documentary reveals how the theater
continues to thrive, hosting sellout performances of plays, films, comedy acts, and more,
while also becoming a favorite of touring performers.
Watch a trailer and learn more about The Indiana Theatre at 100: The Evolution of the
Buskirk-Chumley on WTIU’s YouTube channel. Following the premiere on WTIU and
Facebook Live, the program will be available to stream on PBS Video starting February
10.
The Indiana Theatre at 100: The Evolution of the Buskirk-Chumley is made possible
with support from CFC, Inc., Community Lincoln of Bloomington, IU Credit Union, and
ISU/The May Agency.
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