Indianapolis Civic Theatre

Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is the largest of more than 70 Indiana community theatres and one of the ten largest of over 7,000 active community theatres in the United States. Civic also is considered the nation’s longest continuously operating community theatre. Founded in 1915, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre has been a vital part of the city’s cultural landscape for a century, providing superior live theatrical entertainment for a broad-based audience. Committed volunteer performers, experienced craftsmen and technicians, and a seasoned professional staff combined set Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre apart from other performing arts organizations in Central Indiana. By bringing together the best of local and regional theatre professionals with highly talented volunteer talent, Civic is able to direct its resources into framing each avocational performer with the most up-to-date theatre techniques, technology, and facilities. Each year, Civic provides the community with 90 performances and 500 opportunities to participate onstage or behind-the-scenes in a professional theatre setting with access to cutting edge equipment and facilities. Education has been integral to the Theatre’s operations since its inception, and Jr. Civic has officially offered the only year-round, theatre-based performing arts program in the state of Indiana since 1941. Through our workshop and on-stage offerings, Civic provides the Central Indiana community, both young and old, with opportunities to express their own creativity in a comfortable and educational environment. Students 18 months and older are introduced to a multidisciplinary curriculum aligned with academic standards to connect theatre proficiencies with life skills that promote success, such as discipline, self-confidence, commitment, and team work. Civic serves over 20,000 community members each season through educational opportunities and outreach programs.