The Hedback Theatre, home of Footlite Musicals, turns 100 years old Aug. 2, and the community is gathering to celebrate the landmark anniversary with a fundraiser.
The Hedback Community Theater Centennial Celebration begins with a free open house from 1-4 p.m., inviting Hoosiers to explore the historic community theater including behind-the-scenes tours highlighting the theatre’s legacy.
“I just would love to see the community come out and support… It’s a real source of pride for our neighborhood,” said Etta Biloon, chairman of the Hedback of the Centennial Celebration committee. “We just like to make sure that this building grows and continues on for another (one) hundred years, and we need that support.”
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Beginning at 7 p.m., the Hedback Theatre will host its Centennial Gala, encouraging guests to step back into the 1920s for a speakeasy-themed party complete with live entertainment, light hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction fundraiser to support preservation efforts and necessary renovations of the building, Biloon said.
Located in the historic Herron-Morton neighborhood, was originally constructed in 1924 and hosted its first season in 1925. It was first home to the Little Theatre Society of Indiana and then the Civic Theatre until 1973. After sitting empty for a year, Phil and Betty Hedback took ownership of the building in 1974 — when Footlite Musicals moved in — and started doing some of the much-needed repairs, Bill Hale, box office manager and theatre archivist, told the Recorder.
“As with any one hundred-year-old building, we have heating and air conditioning issues that need to be resolved,” biloon said. “It’s a small theater but it has 272 seats and we have very small bathroom capacity. Our intermissions drag on because we can’t get everyone in and out of the bathrooms in time so that’s a big big goal.”
Other wishlist items include upgrades to the sound system, lobby and front entrance, Biloon said.
Despite the building’s age, Hale said the Hedback Theatre is a great facility to work in and has been his “home base” for the last 20 years. Hale first came to the Hedback as a performer in a few Footlite productions in the 1970s, then as a director in the 1980s, and now as the box office manager.
Every theatre company claims to end up like a family, but “we really are at Footlite,” Hale said.
“It’s one reason I get up in the morning because I’ve been retired since 2019 and it gives me (something) to do,” Hale said. “I’m very passionate about the organization, I want to see it continue to grow and expand, and I just think it’s a wonderful group of people.”
Biloon, who is also the vice president of Footlite Musicals, said the theatre has been a pillar of the community since its inception in the early 20s, and that most Indy-based Hoosiers have either heard of the theatre or attended at least one show there.
“It’s all volunteer. Everybody does it for love, everybody does it because they want to put on the most professional project,” Biloon said. “Everybody’s amateur, no one gets paid, and it’s very special because people come back after each show, and it’s a real supportive environment and really, I mean, we always say it’s ‘the Footlight Family.’”
Hedback Community Theater Centennial Celebration begins at 1 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Hedback Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St. The open house from 1-4 p.m. is free and tickets for the speakeasy at 7 p.m. are $65-$125. For more information, visit footlite.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
