2012 Writers’ Festival and Book Fair

Enrollment is now open for the 9th Annual Writers’ Festival and Book Fair. This celebration of the literary arts will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Arts.

The Writers’ Festival and Book Fair connects budding and established writers with published authors and other experts in the field to share information, techniques, skills and resources. Events include a book fair, author readings, workshops and panels, and a keynote address by actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, Pat Proft.

The cost for each workshop, panel, keynote, and optional lunch is $12 per event and pre-registration is required. The book fair and author readings are free and open to the public. Click here to view a workshop schedule and register online, or call 952-563-8575. Space is limited – reserve your spot today!

Call for Authors and Vendors

Talented young actor returns
to BCT in December’s production of
Inspecting Carol

Bonnie Erickson, Performing Arts Program Director, recently sat down with Oklahoma! and Inspecting Carol’s young actor, Quintin Walker, who had much to say about his BCT experience…and life, in general.

What made Oklahoma! a great experience for you?

“Everything and everyone was great,” said Quintin. At first apprehensive about working with so many adult actors, he appreciated not being treated like a kid and learned many performance tips from them, “Like making your character your own by adding some of your own personality so you weren’t seeing the same character seen in previous showings of Oklahoma!.” A standout life lesson involved conflict resolution. “There are kids at school and then there’s me – Why can’t we be friends?” The production number that opened Act II, “The Farmer and the Cowman,” really brought the lesson home for him. “You’re more willing to be friends when you realize your differences don’t matter.”

Read more of this interview

Give the Gift of
Theater and Art

Finish your holiday shopping without leaving the house!

Gift Certificates make it easy for your loved ones to enjoy their choice of BTAC theater performances, art classes, and gift shop art purchases as well as performances by other organizations: the Medalist Band, BSO, Bloomington Chorale, Angelica Cantanti and the City of Bloomington Performance Series.

Gift Certificates are available in any dollar amount.

Order by phone 952-563-8575 or online at your convenience.

Gifts in the Gallery
Holiday Sale
December 7 – 21, 2011

Look no further than Bloomington Theatre and Art Center’s annual Gifts in the Gallery Holiday Sale for beautiful gifts for the special people in your life. For two weeks the Inez Greenberg Gallery will be transformed into a winter wonderland of one-of-a-kind gift items, handmade by 35 local artists. Items include jewelry, pottery, fused and blown glass, cards, prints, fiber art, scarves, and much more. Join us for the opening reception and festivities:

Festive Reception
December 7, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Door prizes – Cash bar – Refreshments – Live music

Gifts in the Gallery Hours
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday & Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m

Click here for more info and a “Sneak Peek” at Gifts in the Gallery 2011

Also, if you visit the sale on Saturday, December 10, between 9:00 a.m. – noon, you’ll be able to take advantage of the City of Bloomington’s last Farmer’s Market of the season. It will be held indoors in the Bloomington Center for the Arts lobby (just outside the gallery).

Kari Margolis Visits BTAC in December

BTAC is excited to welcome nationally-recognized playwright, director, and actress Kari Margolis to the Bloomington Theatre and Art Center on Saturday, December 10 for an already sold-out master class for theater artists. Margolis Method: A Theatrical Journey to the Actor’s Creative Core will be a one-day intensive workshop designed to help professional and student actors merge their body, breath, and imagination to create a complete performance.

Read More

Thank you, Donors!

In this season of joy and gratitude, we offer a special thanks to the generous people, corporations, and foundations that have made gifts to support our programming in 2011, including many first-time donors who participated in Give to the Max Day. Charitable contributions make up nearly 37% of our annual budget and play a critical role in closing the gap between our expenses and the revenues we earn through ticket sales, class fees, and sales of artwork.

Donors help preserve the high level of quality and value you’ve come to expect in our current theater productions, exhibits, and art classes. They’re also helping us secure a vibrant future by reaching larger and more diverse audiences. Serving more children and young adults is a key priority, and thanks to our donors, we’re starting to rebuild a children’s theater program and provide after-school arts workshops that reach kids from low income families.

End-of-year appeal letters will soon find their way to the mailboxes of our theater patrons, students, members, and others. If you’ve already contributed in 2011, thank you again! If not, we hope you’ll consider becoming a BTAC donor. We promise a priceless return on your investment: high quality arts programming you’re proud to support and be part of.

View BTAC's Calendar of Events