Indiana Theatre

You comments are so right Indiana Theater, most people do not have a clue to the costs and labor involved in cleaning and maintenance of a large space as a theater.They think that the owner is getting rich off the box office and concessions.They do not know that most theater owners are in it for the love of it and not the money. Good luck to you hope you can keep thinks going.

I was wondering who I can contact to see about having an event at the theatre? I have tried calling the number, but it just rings busy. I would appreciate any help.

Thank you,

I don’t usually reply to posts in this format however this does beg a reply.

First off thank you for choosing to bring your family to the Free Family Film Festival we know you have a choice and after all it is FREE! If you have ever taken the time to look around the theatre after one of these shows you might have some understanding of the task to clean the building afterwards. With 600 plus people (most of which are children) attending each show it is a difficult task to clean up after everyone.

You obviously have not spent much time in old buildings, and some of the people that attend the festival may not use the best of hygiene but we choose not to judge people by their lack of means, the festival is after all free to everyone.

With regard to seats, there are not any seats marked as “do not use” and I find it incredible that you personally checked 80% of our seats, are you telling me that you personally checked 1,299 seats? Because that is 80% of the 1,624 seats that we have, and this includes the upper balcony that is not even open during the festival!

I find it ignorant on your part to think that we are responsible for the past 80 years or so of deferred maintenance from past owners. We have spent many hundreds of thousands of dollars in the ongoing maintenance and restoration of this magnificent building and if you think that you can do a better job if it well, you are welcome to purchase the theatre and spend your own hard earned money and then sit back and watch as people abuse it every time that an event is held here if you believe that you can. It would not surprise me at the least that the only time you come to the theatre is when it is free.

On another note I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who chooses to continue and support the Indiana Theatre, all that we do is for you.

According to the Indiana Theater website, the only activity taking place at this theater now is free family movies. Shown on Wednesday morning & afternoon. So sad,a beautiful theater like this is barely being used now. Wish I had the money to buy this theater & have it busy with activity again like it was when I was growing up.

for sale on loop net!!

On the Indiana Theater website today , it states the theater will be closed for January. Will be making some updates to the sound system and construction activity for the installation of the Pipe Organ. They are taking donations for the Pipe Organ project.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats will be at the Theater on February 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

I grew up with this theater. I can remember back when there were two movie theaters in downtown Terre Haute. This theater & the Grand Theater. This was before there were shopping malls at Terre Haute. Years ago the Indiana show first run movies with a news reel shown between shows. The theater was full every time my parents & I were attending a show. Back when they didn’t care if you brought food into the theater. We would buy sandwiches at one of the dime stores, then eat our lunch in the theater while watching a movie on the big screen. It’s worth the admission price, just to see the inside of this theater. Even if the movie that is showing stinks, you don’t feel like you have been cheated. They are some live shows & concerts held here with the screen raised for these events.

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the historic Indiana Theatre during our short trip to Terre Haute, IN. The theatre is still fully functioning as a movie theatre and charges a mere $3 for admittance to the show. With a soda & popcorn deal for around $6 – you can have a really cheap date for only $12 (plus a free refill on the popcorn & soda)! They really need to raise their prices, because the building in itself is a main attraction worth paying admission to see!

The façade is beautiful, but the real beauty of this building overwhelms you once you step inside the front doors. Upon entering the front door you are compelled to look up at the 3 or 4 story high ceiling. The ornate carvings, paintings, and chandeliers instantly take you back in time to a place that was once graced by the wealthiest of patrons seeking extravagent entertainment and luxury. The lobby maintains your expectations of gradeur with carvings of naked ladies hanging from the ceilings, and a beautiful fountain gracing the grand stairs to the balcony.

Upon entering the actual theatre, you are overwhelmed by the grand size and have no trouble finding an excellent seat among the 1,600 offered. The acoustics are great, and perhaps a little too great considering the fact that you can hear others moving around in the squeaky old theatre seats- which the owners hope to raise funds to replace with more comfortable and less noisy seating. The ornate carvings are a little more subdued with dark paints inside the theatre so as not to distract from the actual movie- but are still intruiging and magnifent enough to keep you from watching the previews before the movie begins.

It is rumored that an organ guild is hoping to install a theate organ in the building for live performances that would mimic the old silent movies traditionally accompanied by theatre organists. However, it is also rumored that the building may be sold if there are not enough funds to support its preservation. The last building in downtown Terre Haute that underwent a failed preservation attempt was torn down (the Terre Haute House), and will be replaced by a newly built Hilton Garden Inn hotel.

The historic buildings of this area have had to rely heavily on governmental support, which has been insufficient, because there hasn’t been enough private donations to support the preservation and revitalization of these historic gems.

I suggest that anyone interested in seeing this theatre for yourself, call (812)232-8076 for the latest events and showtimes. I recently tried the website and found it to be inactive- though it could simply be undergoing an update. The phone number will produce the most up-to-date info.

What a beautiful exterior front facade!

One reason the Indiana is extraordinary is because the architect was John Eberson! If you are lucky enough to live in a city that has an Eberson theatre that is still open and perhaps having been restored, consider yourself very lucky!

ASTRA????

yes

LOOKING FOR INFO ON JASPER INDIANA THEATERS/