Big shows visit Auditorium

Most students and alumni of IU and residents of Bloomington are familiar with the IU Auditorium. Since 1941, the auditorium has been a top venue for concerts, comedians, IU student events, Broadway shows and big name entertainers. The auditorium was originally made possible by state funding, and a Federal Works Agency project at the request of making the IU campus a facility capable of supporting the greatest entertainment the world has to offer.\nWith the reputation that the auditorium has gained through the years, the auditorium needs to be run professionally. Doug Booher, auditorium director, works with the staff to provide the best possible arts and entertainment events for students, faculty, staff and the community. \nSometimes IU's campus seems cut off from the rest of Bloomington, but the auditorium is one place locals can go to experience great shows and events, Bloomington resident Micky Kordella said.\n"I've been attending shows at the auditorium since I moved to Bloomington 11 years ago," Kordella said. "If it wasn't for the auditorium, I would have to travel to Chicago or New York to see some of the shows they bring to the community." \nThe full-time professional staff is made-up of 15 people, from the box office to backstage. In addition, IU Auditorium employs over 200 part-time employees, many of which are students. They also offer up to 400 volunteer ushering opportunities exclusive to IU students. Any student interested in becoming a volunteer usher can e-mail housemgr@indiana.edu or stop by Welcome Fest next Tuesday in the Indiana Memorial Union to sign up.\nThe auditorium staff works hard to provide the entertainment that IU students and faculty want to see, Booher said. In order to accomplish this, they conduct a survey of current ticket buyers, asking what shows they would like to see on the schedule. With that information, the auditorium staff works with national agents to book and present a season of 16 to 20 shows.\nBooher said providing such well-known entertainment tends to be costly.\n"Because we offer such a substantial student discount of up to $20 off, ticket sales alone don't cover the cost of bringing shows and maintaining the auditorium," he said. "So, we rely very heavily on support from our season sponsors along with our show sponsors and many dedicated donors to ensure a high quality of performances each season. In fact, ticket sales only cover about 60 percent of our annual budget."\nThis year's upcoming season is packed full of exciting opportunities, Booher said. The season begins with The Temptations, 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, with IU men's a capella group, Straight No Chaser, as the opening act. At 8 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3, the IU Auditorium will present "Grease." There will even be a dance party on stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. with prizes for the winners. The season continues with "Cats" and "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk," which features show- stopping tap dancer, Savion Glover.\n"The selection of shows this year has improved a great deal from that of last year. It's more diverse, and it seems like they have a lot more to offer," junior theater major Justin Hapner said. \nTickets to all of the events at IU Auditorium go on sale at noon Sunday, Sept. 8, in the auditorium box office and at http://www.ticketmaster.com.