Bloomington Leader

Since its inception in 1941, the Indiana University Auditorium in Bloomington has been a venue for students, faculty, and the local community to enjoy performing arts. It has hosted notable performances such as "Les Miserables" and "Chicago," as well as renowned artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, and Kristin Chenoweth.

In 2013, the auditorium launched the Give the Magic program to provide free tickets to local schools and organizations. This initiative allows community members to attend productions they might not otherwise have access to. Ryan Sheets, director of audience engagement at IU Auditorium, explained that each year they select a family-friendly show for the Give the Magic program. This is often paired with their annual "Kids' Night on Broadway," where young attendees can engage in activities before the show.

In October, over 1,000 tickets were distributed for "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" to schools and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Past shows like "Shrek the Musical" and "Annie" have also been part of this program.

Maria Talbert, Executive Director of IU Auditorium, emphasized that programs like Give the Magic inspire future generations by providing access to world-class productions. She expressed gratitude towards staff, supporters, and partners who make these experiences possible.

The program is supported by donors and corporate partners including Riley Physicians. Dr. James Laughlin from Riley Physicians noted that exposing children to arts is beneficial for their development and rewarding for donors.

Laughlin and his colleagues volunteer during events like "Kids' Night on Broadway," engaging with children through arts and crafts activities. He shared that personal stories from participants highlight the joy brought by these experiences.

Kari Palma from Charles L. Smith Fine Arts Academy highlighted how valuable these opportunities are for her students, many of whom live below the poverty line. Her students expressed excitement about attending performances like "Shrek" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

For more information on donating or participating in Give the Magic, interested parties can visit the IU Auditorium website.