To create a professional, not-for-profit dinner theatre providing internships and professional theatrical experiences for Ball State University students, Muncie and Delaware County community members, and Ball State faculty and staff. In addition, part of the proceeds will be donated to Cornerstone Center for the Arts 401 Kids Arts Scholarships and to the Ball State Department of Theatre and Dance Scholarship Fund.

Action

The team performed a pilot production of Pump Boys and Dinettes last summer. We surveyed audiences and from the information we gathered our team has worked to open an official season in summer 2006. We have written grant proposals, and we are securing advertising. We have held auditions, chosen personnel, chosen caterers, and paid the rights/royalties as we prepare to produce Smokey Joe's Café this summer.

Results

  This project began in summer 2005 with its pilot production of Pump Boys and Dinettes. We have received a grant of $3000 from the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. The College of Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance gave us $11,000 and the Miller College of Business has donated $1000 and office equipment.

Faculty Mentors

Dr. Harold Mortimer, Department of Theatre and Dance, and Dr. Srinivasan Sundaram, Department of Finance and Insurance

Partners

Department of Theatre and Dance, Miller College of Business, College of Fine Arts, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, and the Downtown Development Office.

Students

Heather Brenner, Michael Brouwer, Justin I. Brown, Katie Clark, Peter Corey, Kyle Jean Fisher, Kaitlin Fumarolo, Sarah Haworth, Jonathon Jent,   Brittany Lee, Elliott Lemberg, Mark Lewis, Elias Ma'ayah, Robin Sunderman