Civic eyes new home
by Lisa Gauthier
The Indianapolis Civic Theatre and Marian College have signed a "letter of intent" to bring the Civic Theatre onto Marian"s campus, located at 30th Street and Cold Spring Road. The letter was signed Feb. 21. The Civic"s lease at the Indianapolis Museum of Art was discontinued, forcing them to locate a new home.
Robert J. Sorbera of the Civic Theatre
Robert J. Sorbera, executive/artistic director of the Civic, described the letter as a "nonbinding agreement, a gesture of good faith." After signing the letter both parties have a "period of 90 days to sort out strengths and negatives whether to make the decision to proceed," he said. Sorbera likened this exploration as a "courtship," consisting of "serious conversation and intense discussion" before a final decision is made. Civic first became interested in Marian when its president and Sorbera sat together at a fund-raising event, and the idea of "potential for collaboration" was born, Sorbera said. Collaborations include expanding arts-related offerings in Marian"s course catalog, as well as joint fund-raising. In addition to collaboration potential, Sorbera sites staying in the Civic"s market area as another plus to the Marian campus. If Civic and Marian partner, the Civic will perform in Marian"s existing theater space, which will be upgraded, until a new performance space can be built.
