Bloomington theater 'unique venue'

Buskirk-Chumley Theater creates historic atmosphere

By Lauren Bristow

Dec. 6, 2006

Tucked on the busy street of Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington, the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is one of Bloomington’s most historic sites. Originally the Indiana Theater, the red and white Indiana

Photograph by Lauren Bristow The red Indiana sign hangs above the marquee of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Kirkwood Avenue. The theater is one of Bloomington's most historic sites.

sign still peaks out above the marquee, reminding Bloomington residents of the once-great theater.

The Buskirk-Chumley Theater is the only remaining historic theater, having survived the wrecking ball that took the Princess Theater and Von Lee Theater.  But according to Dave Pruett, the marketing director for the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, only fate saved the theater.

“It’s as much fate as anyting,” Pruett said.  “There’s not a practical reason it was saved as opposed to the others.  It’s just kind of how things worked out.”

What is the history of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater?

Originally the Indiana Theater, the Buskirk-Chumley Theater opened its doors in 1922 under the ownership of Harry and Nova Vonderschmitt.  According to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Web site, the theater had a pipe organ for movie accompaniment and bands also played on the bandstand for movies and contests.  After owning the theater for more than 50 years, Nova Vonderschmitt sold the theater to Kerasotes Theaters, Inc. in 1975. 

“The Vonderschmitt family basically owned it from 1922 on,” Pruett said.  “I think it got to be more than they could manage.  It was probably too much to handle.”

Kerasotes made numerous changes to the theater, according to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Web site.  For one, it altered the interior, blocking off the original balcony to add an upstairs screen.  After running the theater for 20 years, Kerasotes gave the theater to the Bloomington Area Arts Council (BAAC), in the midst of getting rid of many second-run theaters owned by Kerasotes, Pruett said.

“They pretty much got out of that business (second-run theaters),” he said.   “But by doing what they did, it helped make sure the building was saved and not torn down.”

The Buskirk-Chumley Theater was the only theater that was saved during this time.  A theater at College Mall and the Von Lee Theater, both own by Keraostes, were sold and later renovated or destroyed.  Pruett credits the Buskirk-Chumley Theater’s use throughout 1975 to 1995 for its ability to remain open. 

“I think it helped that it had constant use since it was built,” he said.  “It made a case for restoring it.”

What is the current state of the theater?

The Buskirk-Chumley Theater’s ability to stay open was not without cost.  Kerasotes gave the BAAC under the provision it could not screen films.  This was the case until BCT Management, Inc., a non-profit

organization that manages and operates the theater, negotiated the provision to allow films to be shown as long as they were at least one year old or a classic.

With the support of donations from Bloomington community members, the BAAC restored the theater and updated its technical equipment, according to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Web site.  The theater was given its new name, the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, in honor of a particular family’s generous donations.

Currently the theater serves as a venue for concert series, speakers, film series and more.  Pruett said this variety is one of his favorite things about the theater.

“One of the nicest things is it plays well for a lot of performances,” he said.  “It’s a mix of a little bit of everything.”

What is the historic atmosphere?

A factor that influences the popularity of the theater is its interior design.  Classified as Spanish Revival, the

interior design is art-deco, which is consistent with the period of time the theater was at its peak, Pruett said.

“It definitely makes for a unique venue,” he said.  “It’s got a classical atmosphere.  It’s definitely something

you don’t find in many other venues in Bloomington.”

Purett is not alone in his fondness of the design.  Sally Rawlins, an employee at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Box Office, said the theater’s décor is one of the best parts of the

theater and many people comment on it.

“A lot of people come in and talk about the Indiana Theater,” she said. “They always say how glad they are it’s up and running again.”

The theater plays host to film series such as the Ryder Film Series, the Golden Age of Hollywood Film Series

Photograph by Lauren Bristow The lobby of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is festivally decorated for the holidays. Straight No Chaser, a men's A capella group is performing is holding its holiday show at the theater Saturday, Dec. 9.

and the BCT Director Series.  Many of these series, such as the Golden Age of Hollywood Film Series, are free and open to the public.

Jessi Gitney, a junior at IU who has attended film screenings at the theater, said she loves the theater’s décor.

“You walk in and you feel like you’re in the 50s or something,” she said. “It’s just so cool.  I brought my grandparents there when they were visiting and they loved it too."

Performance groups also credit the theater’s atmosphere to the their show’s success.  Andrew Landau, a junior at IU and the business manager for the 10-man A capella group Straight No Chaser, said the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is his group’s favorite venue to perform in.

“We always rise to the occasion at the Buskirk,” Landau said. “It creates an intimate atmosphere.  We bring our A game if you will.”

Straight No Chaser, which is holding its holiday concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Saturday, Dec. 9, is one of many groups to perform at the theater.  But the theater’s popularity leads to competition for space.

“We try to book the Buskirk a year in advance,” Landau said.  “It holds 6 to 700 people and we fill it up.  The atmosphere is just awesome.  But we’re not the only group to want to perform there so we have to book it early.”

What is the theater's future?

Pruett said the theater looks to expand its audience in the future.  He said concert series are the most popular attraction to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, but film series often bring in large audiences.

“Films haven’t been as popular as music,” he said. “Film events are better. Film festivals like the PRIDE festival are huge.  The PRIDE festival is our single biggest event.”

Concert series, such as the Lotus World Music Festival, are going to play a large role in the theater’s future.

“The big thing is how we do programs and how we reach an audience,” Pruett said. “We’re focusing a lot on concerts and bigger singer/songwriter series.  We want to try to attract bands with big audiences to bring audiences outside Bloomington.”

Whatever the future holds, Rawlins says the theater will always remain popular because of what it symbolizes.

“It creates a sense of history,” she said, “And I think people like to feel a sense of history to the building.”

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