HAMMOND | Purdue University Calumet is in talks to bring plays and other university functions to the Towle Theater stage.
The university is in preliminary talks with the city to form a partnership with the 120-seat downtown theater owned and operated by the Hammond Development Corp., said Wes Lukoshus, university spokesman.
Currently, the university has a performance space with approximately 70 seats for plays by the Purdue Calumet Theatre Company. The university also hosts an international film series and a number of other arts presentations.
Lukoshus said the university would like to use open dates on the Towle Theater's calendar to host events.
“We think such a relationship makes a lot of sense. As a public university here in Hammond, we feel very strongly to do our part to make Hammond a better place to live, work, play and to contribute to a vibrant rejuvenated downtown area,” Lukoshus said.
“Doing so through the arts is a way we feel we can make a contribution and work with the city in a very effective partnership.”
The HDC is actively pursuing a partnership with Purdue Calumet, confirmed Tom Dabertin, chairman of the economic development organization's board of directors.
“We think it makes a lot of sense. They need performance space and the Towle Theater offers some of that space,” Dabertin said.
He said a joint committee has been formed to explore developing a partnership.
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