INDIANAPOLIS — The Cabaret and Buckingham Companies announced plans recently that will give The Cabaret a prominent, permanent downtown location in the Metzger Building at 9th and Pennsylvania Street in the heart of the evolving Library Square. The new space, which also houses the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Gallery 924, and once served as the Rollerland skating rink from the 1940s to the late 1970s, provides the perfect venue for The Cabaret.
Renovations will begin in August. The Cabaret has engaged RATIO to create a setting that embraces the industrial nature of the building while adding touches of decadent glamour for an intimate and urban chic performance space to rival cabaret rooms around the world. The new location will also house The Cabaret’s administrative offices and will allow for ample, adjacent free parking. The Cabaret plans to move into the Metzger Building by the end of 2017 and will open for performances in early 2018.
The Cabaret, known for presenting world-class Broadway, Jazz and international artists, has experienced significant audience growth over the last several years, making the move critical. Audiences for performances and education programs have grown 80 percent. The annual operating budget has increased 38 percent since 2009 thanks to robust ticket sales and significant growth in contributed income.