ATCA gathers in Indy, March 21-24

ATCA gathers in Indy, March 21-24

HAVE WE GOT A DEAL FOR YOU!!

ATCA will gather in March for the first time in Indianapolis, and for good reason. Look what we have to offer. The $99 weekend features:

* Concert & chat with Michael Feinstein and Barbara Cook
* Tour of Feinstein’s Great American Songbook Archives
* Mainstage Equity productions of Indiana Repertory Theatre’s “The Whipping Man,” The Phoenix Theatre’s “The Lyons,” and Beef & Boards’ “9-to-5.” Plus a sample performance of Dance Kaleidoscope’s “Piaf”
* Midwest Fringe Festivals panel and performances
* Reading of “Happy Birthday Wanda June” at Vonnegut Library
* Panels at Indiana History Center’s Cole Porter room, dinner show by Actors Theatre of Indiana and drinks and songs around Hoagy Carmichael’s piano at the Cabaret at the Columbia Club
* Plus much more

All this for just $99 for members. $135 for guests. Conference fee includes events, lunches, Saturday dinner, receptions, and panels. Special $150 fee for non-members who join, includes one year of dues.

Click below for much more, including signup procedure and detailed schedule. Or go directly to register here on our events page. 

You have several options. Arrive Thursday before 5 p.m. to see “The Lyons” that night, or come in time for the start of Friday panels at noon. Sunday programs run through 1:30 p.m. with an optional 2 p.m. matinee for those who have flexible departures.

We have secured a discounted rate of $119 per night (including breakfast) at the brand new Alexander Hotel. Ask for the ATCA rate when booking:  (855) 200-3002. NOTE that this rate is guaranteed only if booked by Feb. 19.

Register online or by mail:

1) Register here on our events page. 

2) Mail a check for $99 made out to ATCA ($135 for guests) and send to:

ATCA Conference
C/O Lou Harry
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Indianapolis Business Journal
41 E. Washington St., Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Or you can register via pay pal on our website: americantheatrecritics.org. 

For more information: contact conference chair Lou Harry at lharry@ibj.com:

Here is a detailed conference schedule (subject to change).

THURSDAY March 21
7 p.m. Midwest Premiere of The Lyons at the Phoenix

FRIDAY March 22

Noon — Visit to the Indiana History Center and its Cole Porter Room. ATCA membership meeting and panels.

3 p.m. — Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre presents a reading of Kurt Vonnegut’s play “Happy Birthday, Wanda June” at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library

About 5 p.m. —Free for dinner downtown. (A list of options will be provided).

6:30 p.m. — Dance Kaleidoscope (professional contemporary dance company) offers 15 minute piece from Piaf (at Indiana Rep)

7 p.m. — Reception at Indiana Repertory Theatre followed by performance of The Whipping Man 

10 p.m. — After-show intimate gathering around Hoagy Carmichael’s actual piano at the Columbia Club with entertainment provided by The Cabaret at the Columbia Club.

SATURDAY March 23

Optional a.m. activities including a walk on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail — an urban planning initiative linking downtown cultural attractions with bike and pedestrian paths.  

11:00 a.m. — Bus to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre for panel, lunch and performance of “9-to-5: The Musical.”

About 4:30 p.m. — Bus to Carmel, Indiana to Center for the Performing Arts for tour the Great American Songbook Archive and Gallery, panels, dinner on stage with performance from Actors Theatre of Indiana, concert with Barbara Cook/Michael Feinstein, and post-show Q&A with Cook/Feinstein

SUNDAY March 24 — (UPDATED FEB 15)

10:30 Sunday at the Fringe. Meeting at th Indy Fringe Building (a church converted into a theater). Panel discussion about Fringe festivals (inviting reps from Cincy and St. Louis) and a showcase of two Indy Fringe-birthed shows: NoExit’s “I Am Peter Pan” and Two First Names’ “Going…Going…Gone.” Lunch provided.

—Optional 2:00 matinee visit to the Phoenix Theatre’s “The Lyons” for those who couldn’t make it Thursday.

If not going to the Phoenix then either:

—The Indianapolis Museum of Art’s 100 Acres, for artist Tamar Ettun’s installation and multi-media performance One Thing Leads to Another, which takes place inside an overturned hot air balloon, incorporating dance and music in a changing environment. This option also allows exploration of the IMA.

 or

—See complete performance of Dance Kaleidoscope’s “Piaf” at 2:00. (We’re getting a 15-minute preview Friday night).

 and/or

—6:30 performance of Acting Up Productions’ Prohibition-era “Twelfth Night” at the Wheeler ArtsCenter in Fountain Square. Acting Up is the newest professional theater company in the area. 

plus, we’ve got lots of other options for early arrivers/departers including

“Guitars” and “Women in Art” exhibitions at the Eiteljorg Museum of Native Americans and Western Art

Docent-led tours of “Graphite” and other shows at the Indianapolis Museum of Art

Tour of the historic Madame C.J. Walker Building, still a performing arts venue and home to FreetownVillage

Contact Lou Harry at lharry@ibj.com for more information.