INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Athenaeum is offering a chance to learn more about the cherished downtown Indianapolis landmark through a special show. “The Gathering” enters its final run on Thursday.
Organizers say it’s an immersive experience that gives visitors a tour through some rarely open parts of the historic building. The show opened last week.
“The Gathering” takes place in Indianapolis in 1919. It takes a look at life in the city, a year before prohibition. Spiritualism is alive and growing throughout the country as people grieve loved ones lost to World War I and the Spanish Flu Pandemic.
Before the show, guests will get a chance to sip on pre-prohibition cocktails provided by Coat Check in the lobby of the building.
Craig Mince, President of the Athenaeum Foundation, says while the storytelling method is not unique, it’s not frequently used in Indianapolis.
“The building itself becomes the backdrop or the stage to tell you the story about that period of time,” Mince said. “(It also tells) these people’s story. It’s a really fascinating way to tell a little bit of history but kind of entertain and enlighten people at the same time.”
During the show, participants will take part in a seance that organizers say will blur the lines of reality and spirituality.
Actress Callie Burk-Hartz plays Madame Josephine, a medium central to the story of the show.
“In this time, people would have mediums come to their house,” Burk-Hartz said. “There is this whole idea that a soul could be weighed … This whole thing is all about all the different ways that spiritualism existed.”
The show brings back NoExit Performance, an Indianapolis-based production company. It specializes in site-specific shows.
“The Gathering” was originally supposed to run in 2020. However, the COVID-19 Pandemic shuddered the play. It’s NoExit’s first performance since 2019.
Actor Lukas Felix Schooler plays Victor, the producer of Madame Josephine’s final show.
“It’s pretty cathartic, to be honest, to be able to kind of see through a plan that we had started,” Schooler said. “It kind of grew my artistic voice … So, it just means a lot personally to be able to come back and do this.”
The Gathering will play twice a night, 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., at The Athenaeum on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased on The Athenaeum website.
