By Jaycee Hendrickson, Northwood High School, Ivy Zhen, Carmel High School, and Penelope Roewe, Niles North High School

The atmosphere around Kirkwood Avenue bustles with energy as hundreds of Bloomington residents pass through the downtown area. While the avenue features a multitude of classic eateries and stores, one striking image catches the eye of every passerby: The glowing red ‘Indiana’ marquee.

Behind the glowing sign, lies a deeper significance absent from chain theaters.

“This is not a commercial venue,” Buskirk-Chumley Theater (BCT) marketing director Casey Rich said. “It’s about serving the mission of the theater.” 

Formerly known as The Indiana, the BCT has a rich history in the IU community. The theater was first established in 1922 by the Vonderschmitt family and has faced multiple management changes following the death of Nova Vonderschmitt and rise of chain theaters.

In 1995, the theater closed for nearly …
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