Arts & Cultural Entertainment
American Passion Play - www.americanpassionplay.org 107 East Chestnut Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.829.3903 / 800.354.9640 The 8th season of the American Passion Play the oldest continuously performed Passion Play in the U.S. Performances are seasonal, in April & May.
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts - www.artsblooming.org 110 East Mulberry Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.434.2787/866.686.9541 BCPA is the centerpiece of the City's new Cultural District. The historic theater recently under went a $15 million renovation featuring a 1,200 seat auditorium.
Braden Auditorium - www.bsc.ilstu.edu/entertainment/ ISU, Normal, IL 61790 - 309.438.5444 Braden Auditorium is located at the ISU Bone Student Center and is a landmark resource to the community.
Community Players Theatre - www.communityplayers.org 201 Robinhood Lane, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.663.2121 This amateur theatre group is one of the oldest community theatres completely staffed by volunteers.
Heartland Theatre Company - www.heartlandtheatre.org - Normal Community Activity Center, One Normal Plaza, Normal, IL 61702 - 309.452.8709 Heartland Theatre Company is a non-profit professional quality intimate theatre founded over 20 years ago that performs six dynamic and provocative plays from June thru May.
*Illinois Shakespeare Festival - www.thefestival.org - Ewing Manor, 48 Sunset Road (corner of Towanda & Emerson), Bloomington, IL 61701 - Administration # 309.438.8974 and Box Office # 309.438.8110 Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars while experiencing the intimate atmosphere of Ewing Manor.
Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts - www.ilstu.edu/finearts - Corner of School & Beaufort Streets, Normal, IL 61790 - 309.438.2535 Dedicated in 2002, this beautiful new building houses the main stage performances for the School of Music and the School of Theatre. Both of which have annual series, guest artists, and award winning performances.
Illinois State University School of Music - www.ilstu.edu/finearts - Centennial East Building, Normal, IL 61790 - 309.438.3838 Bringing the finest music to Central Illinois, ISU boasts performances by world-renowned faculty and guest artists.
Illinois State University Theatre - www.cfa.ilstu.edu - Centennial East Building, Normal, IL 61790 - 309.438.2535 An annual series is held in the Westhoff Theatre and the intimate Allen Theatre, featuring classic and contemporary productions.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra - www.ilsymphony.org - 2306 Maysel Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.820.1650 Well-loved and highly respected, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra is the regions premier professional orchestra. They perform five Masterworks concerts, two Pop concerts and three Chamber Orchestra concerts.
Illinois Wesleyan University School of Music - http://www.iwu.edu/music - Westbrook Auditorium/Presser Hall, Bloomington, IL 61702 - 309.556.3061 Four choral ensembles, five instrumental ensembles, along with talented faculty, students and guest artists perform numerous concerts and recitals each year. Most concerts are free with general seating.
Illinois Wesleyan University School of Theatre Arts - http://www2.iwu.edu/theatre/ - McPherson Theatre, 2 Ames Plaza, Bloomington, IL 61702 - 309.556.3232 Four main stage plays are performed annually, selected from a playbill ranging from Shakespeare to musicals.
McLean County Arts Center - www.mcac.org - 601 North East Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.829.0011 Comprised of two art galleries, three classrooms and a gift gallery, it is one of the oldest arts organizations in the Midwest.
Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theater - 1020 South Morris Avenue, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.434.2260 The stage is set to come alive during the summer with two theater productions. This outdoor theater tradition brings a large audience to the park to enjoy the talents of the Bloomington Normal area theatrical community.
Prairie Fire Theatre - www.prairiefiretheatre.org - P.O. Box 964 Normal, IL 61761 - 309.824.3047 Offering a unique musical experience, the Prairie Fire Theatre is a group dedicated to bringing professional, first-rate musical theater and light opera to the local community. Each year, they stage three to four musical events usually held on IWU campus.
Twin City Ballet - 510 East Washington Street, Suite 320, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.829.9333 Twin City Ballet is a civic ballet company that attracts guest dancers throughout the year. The Nutcracker is a local tradition each December.
University Galleries at Illinois State University - www.cfa.ilstu.edu/galleries - 110 Center for the Visual Arts, Normal, IL 61790 - 309.438.5487 University Galleries is one of the largest and most active downstate art facilities dedicated to presenting contemporary art in all media. Exhibitors range from student and faculty shows to works by emerging and renowned artists from across the United States and around the world. Two to four exhibits run concurrently in four galleries.
USA Ballet - www.usaballet.org - 1615 Empire Street, #1105, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.665.0300 USA Ballet is an International Ballet Company celebrating its 17th anniversary as a sought-after touring company. Don't miss them as they perform in the fall, winter and spring at IWU. A special highlight is their original 'Twas a Night Before Christmas' production.
U.S. Cellular Coliseum - www.uscellularcoliseum.com - 101 S. Madison Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.434.2843 The Coliseum can host a variety of sporting events, concerts, ice shows, family shows, conferences and much more. It is also home to the Bloomington Extreme of the United Indoor Football League and the Prairie Thunder of the United Hockey League.
Normal Theater - 209 North Street, Normal, IL 61761 - 309.454.9722 or 309.454.9720 Located in uptown Normal, the Normal Theater opened in 1937 and was the first theater built in Bloomington / Normal specifically for sound films, which is currently on the National Register of Historic Sites. The strong art-deco/modern design was then very avant-garde for a small Illinois town. The Normal Theater has been completely restored to its original condition.
Parkway Cinemas - www.carmike.com - 2103 North Veterans Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.661.9114 Parkway Cinemas includes eight movie theaters and concessions.
Palace Cinemas - www.carmike.com - 415 Detroit Avenue, Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.661.2452 Palace Cinemas includes ten movie theaters with stadium seating and concessions.
University Cinemas - 1010 South Main Street, Normal, IL 61761 - 309.862.2221 University Cinemas includes eight movie theaters and concessions.
Funny Bone Comedy Club - www.funnybonebloomington.com - Bloomington, IL 61701 - 309.664.JOKE (5653) The Funny Bone Comedy Club continues to enjoy a solid reputation as the most successful and professionally run comedy operation in the country. The entertainment format for "stand up" comedy proved to be an instant sensation.
Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theater - www.barn2.com - P.O. Box 310 Goodfield, IL 61742 - 309.965.2545 Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theater has been your home for hospitality since 1975, featuring a bountiful buffet and the funniest live theatre in central Illinois!