Celebration launches Bloomington's merged theatrical group, Constellation Stage and Screen

Constellation Stage and Screen, the new name of the company combining Bloomington Playwrights Project, Cardinal Stage and Pigasus Institute, was announced Saturday night during the group's fundraising celebration at One World at Woolery Mill. The new visionary arts organization will officially begin operations on July 1.

Constellation Stage and Screen's mission is to produce world-class theater and film that impacts the national performing arts industry through new work development. The new company will provide established and new productions, community events and educational programs. It will be led by co-artistic directors Kate Galvin and Chad Rabinovitz and managing director Gabe Gloden. John Armstrong will lead the fundraising initiative.

"Stars are the origin of storytelling," said Cassie Hakken, marketing director for Cardinal Stage.

All three theatrical companies are "bright stars" and stepping back to look at the three reveals a constellation of more grand possibilities, said Robinovitz, current artistic director at Bloomington Playwrights Project.

"Together we are something more," added Gloden, managing director of Cardinal Stage.

The Big Bang Campaign, a five-year fundraising effort to raise $250,000 in new annual donations, was launched Saturday. Cook Group has pledged $300,000 per year in unrestricted operating support and issued a challenge to match new and renewable annual gifts up to $150,000 more per year. 

Currently Constellation and Bloomington officials are in negotiations for Constellation to take over management and operation of the John Waldron Arts Center. Constellation hopes to have the center open in October, after renovations that will include adding a box office area and a cafe that will serve alcoholic beverages.

More about the merger:Bloomington theater groups BPP, Cardinal Stage, Pigasus Institute form new company

"We believe there's an end in sight," Robinovitz said of the negotiations. 

Constellation will use its other facilities, including the Ted Jones Playhouse and its film and screening studios, for productions and other events. It will also use the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

All staff who currently work for the three theatrical groups will continue to work, but for Constellation. Gloden said collectively there are 14 staff and within the first two to five years the plan is to add two or three full-time staff.

Inaugural season of theater

Constellation's inaugural theatrical season will have eight shows and begins with its first "page to stage to screen" project. "The Grown-Ups," a new play, will be performed Sept. 11 through Oct. 1 at The Hundredth Hill Artist Retreat and Residency in northern Monroe County. The play will be set outdoors, around a campfire, in an immersive experience. After the production ends, Constellation will develop the play into a full-length feature film. The hope is to have a screening of the film in 2024.

"It's going to be a nice, ambitious project," Rabinovitz said. "There is so much potential."

More in local arts:Bloomington Chambers Singers' spring concert to be dedicated to Peter Jacobi

Other theatrical events on the schedule:

Oct. 13-30, "The Importance of Being Ernest," directed by artistic director Kate Galvin, in the John Waldron Arts Center.

Dec. 15-31, "Elf the Musical," at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

Jan. 26-Feb. 12, "Deathtrap," at the Ted Jones Playhouse.

March 23-April 8, "American Fast," at the Ted Jones Playhouse.

June 8-25, "The Moon and the Sea," at the Waldron Auditorium.

Two shows will be geared for young audiences as part of Constellation for Kids series. They are:

Nov. 10-27, "Anne of Green Gables," at the Waldron Auditorium.

April 28-May 14, "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical," at the Waldron Auditorium.

Season tickets will go on sale in May, with single ticket sales on sale starting in August. 

In addition to shows, Constellation will offer cross-disciplinary classes, workshops and hands-on training experiences for people of all ages who are interested in stage and screen arts. The educational programming will include summer camps, with enrollment currently underway. The camps will be for ages 5-17.

Constellation will continue the groups' competition projects including the annual screenwriting contest by Project Pigasus and Bloomington Playwrights Project's MiniPlay contest.

Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com, 812-331-4359 or @ckugler on Twitter.