Looking for an audition? How about a show to enjoy with a loved one? Then you've come to the right place! Here you will find listings of local auditions and shows in the Bloomington Normal area as well as descriptions of each performance space.
Connie J. Link Amphitheater
The Connie Link Amphitheater was opened in 2008 directly behind the Normal Parks and Recreation service building. The theater is home to live music, children’s story readings, movies, and most importantly: musical theater. Every year, high school actors from all over the area gather here to put on a show in an outdoor setting. The theater was built in order to replace the theater previously stationed at Maxwell park; which burned down entirely in 2002. Parents and alumni alike worked tirelessly to raise the funds for the new theater, which was officially named after Connie Link in October of 2007. Connie Link and the summer theater program were synonymous from 1976 until her unfortunate passing in 2008. Every year, there are multiple performances of various musicals that can be enjoyed by locals of all ages.
Past Shows 1972 The Music Man Fiddler on the Roof
1973 Man of LaMancha Wizard of Oz
1974 Roar of the Grease Paint... Funny Girl
1975 Godspell Brigadoon
1976 George M You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Annie Get Your Gun
1977 Cinderella The Sound of Music West Side Story
1978 How to Succeed in Business(without really trying). The Fantasticks Pippin
1979 Sweet Charity No, No, Nanette
1980 Guys and Dolls Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris Anything Goes
1981 Grease NPR Singers Pajama Game
1982 Hello Dolly NPR Singers Pajama Game
1983 Little Mary Sunshine NPR Singers Where's Charlev
1984 Barnum Gypsy
1985 Dames at Sea My Fair Lady
1986 Oklahoma! Godspell
1987 The Unsinkable Molly Brown The Music Man
1988 Annie Guys and Dolls
1989 Little Shop of Horrors Once Upon a Mattress
1990 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat Working
1991 The Wiz How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
1992 Annie Get Your Gun Grease
1993 Brigadoon West Side Story
1994 JesusC hrist Superstar Fiddler on the Roof
1995 The Secret Garden Damn Yankees
1996 Sweet Charity The Will Rogers Follies
1997 Carousel Pippin
1998 Camelot Forty-SecondS treet
1999 Guys and Dolls Little Shop of Horrors
2000 The Music Man Godspell
2001 Oliver! School House Rock Live!
2002 You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown The Wiz
2003 Footloose Grease
2004 Oklahoma! Fame
2005 The King and I
2006 Guys and Dolls
2007 Little Shop of Horrors The Music Man
2008 Urinetown, The Musical Thoroughly Modern Millie
2009 Beauty and the Beast The Sound of Music
2010 Once Upon e Mattress Grease
2011 Seussical Into the Woods
2012 Les Miserables
The Normal Parks and Recreation Summer Theater Program has been a local tradition enjoyed by thousands ever since 1976. Every year, two productions are performed: one in June and one in July. The program is lead by Bryan Vandevender and Susan Cortesi. Auditions are held annually usually some time in May at the community center located next the soldiers and sailors building in Normal. Rehearsals are held there as well as at the Connie Link amphitheater on Linden behind the Normal Parks and Recreation service building.
Tickets are sold at each performance: $4 Adults $2 Students and Free for Seniors and Children under the age of 5. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Parking is available at 611 S. Linden St.
This years show is Les Miserables. Information regarding these performances can be found here: (http://www.facebook.com/events/191455830981720/)
Information pertaining to auditions can be found here: (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Normal-Parks-and-Recreation-Summer-Music-Theatre/203073053070236)
Bloomington Center of Performing Arts
Originally named the Scottish Rite Temple, this exquisite theater was erected in 1921. It was created for productions of the Passion Play by the Scottish Rite and was soon to host some of the country's most famous touring groups/attractions. It was constructed complete with a ball room that can seat 1,000 diners and a theater that seats 1,320. At the time, the theater was considered the largest stage West of New York City. By 2002, the theater began to show it's age. A committee was organized to plan a renovation of the theater to make it more modern, yet still retain its historical beauty and charm. But completing a 15 million dollar project on a budget of a mere 3.5 million was proving to be no easy task. So in 2000, the city council approved a 1/4 of a cent tax increase in order to fund the project. This tax increase shall remain in effect until 2025. Not only was it used to renovate the theater to have a state of the art sound and lighting system, but it also will be used to maintain the cultural district in the historic Downtown Bloomingotn.
Information regarding upcoming performances can be found here: (http://4.17.232.139/bcd/page.asp?id=13443&show=main)
Box Office information can be found here: (http://4.17.232.139/bcd/page.asp?id=8649&show=main)
Community Players Theater
In early 1923, a group of women sat down and discussed how they would like to build a theater where they could put on theatrical productions and show case the various talents that they had acquired throughout the years. About 90 years later, Community Players theater maintains this tradition performing over six productions a year. As one of the only and oldest theater companies still operated by volunteers, CPT has been able to put on productions very soon after their broadway run is completed. Many Illinois State University and Illinois Weslayn University students have donated their time and knowledge into this theater. Like many theater companies when they first start out, Community Players had no home. Their first shows were done in Turner Hall and then moved to the Iliini Theater, Bloomington High School, the old Normal Community High School, Old Main on ISU campus, The Majestic Theater, and the Scottish Rite Temple (currently the BCPA). The theater remained wandering from location to location without a home for the next 41 years. In 1957 a few leaders of the Players came extremely close to purchasing a permanent home. It was a 300 seat old movie theater that had air conditioning. Unfortunately, they did not buy quick enough and the building was condemned. In 1962 the CPT found its new and current home off of Robinhood Lane next to the post office. By 1981 the entire mortgage had been paid off, thus making the Community Players Theater one of the first non-state funded community theaters. Through trial, tribulation, and an impressive amount of perseverance, the Community Players Theater has become a cornerstone in Bloomington Normal's theater community and history.
Information regarding auditions can be found here: (http://www.communityplayers.org/involve_audit.html)
Box Office and Show information can be found here: (https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?w=4f62667a223a842bdc600f9e65808864&t=tix)
Other
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival This festival has been a part of Blono since 1978. Every year two different selections from William Shakespeare's repertoire are performed at an outdoor theater located at Ewing Manor. Picnicking is highly suggested and is extremely fun. Live performances of madrigal singers and other musicians are located around Ewing Manor two hours before show time.
Show Information can be found here: (http://thefestival.org/shows/)
Ticket Information can be found here: (http://thefestival.org/tickets/)
Directions are here: (http://thefestival.org/tickets/directions.shtml)
