The Towle Theater recently hosted its 2010 preview and the evening was about much more than the four plays that will be the mainstay of the season.
Managing Director Jeff Casey is excited about the number of season ticket holders that have already signed up.
"The 2009 season was not so great, we had a total of 323 season ticket holders," Casey said. "Currently we have 550 signed up and since season tickets are on sale until the closing night of the opening show, it is highly realistic that we may double last year's number."
Casey was equally excited about another component of the theater -- the educational part.
Shelley Crosby, who had been the part-time director of education since last February, was approved by the board to be the full-time director for this year. Crosby was formerly the artistic director for the theater at American Girl Place in Chicago and brings an enormous amount of enthusiasm and experience to the theater.
"We wanted to explore more educational opportunities and Shelley made this possible," Casey said. "This year we have "A Star in the Works" where young people get to learn about classic and modern composers and their productions."
These classes and many other children's programs are offered monthly and information on the classes is listed on their Web site.
The theater is also proud of the partnerships they have forged within the community. They are serving more than 1,000 students at six elementary school sites in Hammond, their partnership with South Shore Arts, and serving students in Hammond, East Chicago, Merrillville, Schererville, Dyer, Portage, Gary and South Haven year around.
The program that Casey and everyone involved with Towle Theater are really excited about is a Saturday morning program called "Breakfast & Books."
"Shelley became aware of the economic state of many of the students we service and that they receive their breakfast and lunch at school during the week," Casey said. "She created a program in collaboration with Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and Indiana University Northwest to provide a hot, nutritious, healthy breakfast to area children at risk of hunger."
He explained that reading and arts and theater components would be included in each session. They hope to launch the program in the next few months starting with Lafayette School in Hammond because they are within walking distance of the theater.
"After all, literacy is at the heart of the theater," Casey said. "It is programs like this that is truly what connects us to the community."
Towle will be looking to sponsor Kid's Stages at local events and festivals such as Pierogifest in Whiting, Zestfest in Highland and Bizarre Bazaar in Hammond.
The Towle also offers an education program (of sorts) to the adults in the community by offering a series of four beer education and tasting classes hosted by beer aficionado Chicago Beer Girl - Sally Selwan. Although series tickets are already sold out, people can sign up on the waiting list. Single-day tickets also still available at press time.
So when you think of the Towle Theater, remember it is not just a season of four plays, but a vital part of the community always open to ideas.
"We want to be an open door," Casey said. "That is why the o in Towle is two parentheses, to show we're always open to suggestions."
Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave., Hammond
(219) 937-8780
2010 Season
* "25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee," a musical comedy
Feb. 26 to 28, March 5 to 7 and 11 to 14
* "Kissing," a comedy by Robert Caisley
May 7 to 9, 14 to 16 and 20 to 23
* "RENT," a musical (book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson)
July 9 to 11, 15 to 18 and 22 to 25
* "Hollywood Arms," a drama by Carol Burnett and Carrie Hamilton
Sept. 17 to 19, 24 to 26, 30 and Oct. 1 to 3
Tickets are $15 each. Season tickets are on sale through March 14.
