Clowes Hall is widely known for its awe-inspiring shows, often filling every seat for highly anticipated entertainment. From world-class comedians to major musical productions, Clowes Hall has a reputation for pleasing crowds. Those same crowds can now take advantage of the $9 million expansion and renovation project on Butler’s campus.
As part of the renovation, Clowes Hall upgraded existing bathrooms and added new restroom capacity on both sides of every public level of the building to help streamline intermissions and limit obstructions to foot traffic. Vice President of Arts and Events Aaron Hurt notes that although this may seem like an insignificant update, anyone who has attended will understand the substantial impact of the additional restrooms.
Additionally, improvements were made to the box seating areas to improve sightlines and the overall experience. New private VIP box suites were also added for an extra element of luxury and privacy. In the back of the house, upgrades have been made to the loading dock and artist spaces. Hurt comments that although those spaces are behind the scenes, the improvements are expected to make the experience for artists and eventgoers much more enjoyable.
“Behind the scenes, the expanded loading dock allows touring productions to move into and out of the building much more efficiently. Clowes hosts increasingly large and sophisticated touring productions, so investing in the infrastructure our audiences don’t see is just as important as investing in the spaces they do. Alongside this, the greenroom and hospitality areas for artists received a makeover, making the space more functional and comfortable for our touring artist guests,” he says.
The renovations were completed in mid-September this year and are part of a larger project to make sure the buildings that have hosted audiences for more than 60 years continue to keep pace with the expectations of modern audiences.
In addition to the renovation of Clowes Hall, construction is still underway for the new Whitehill Ballroom adjacent to Clowes Hall. The venue is a brand-new, 1,400-capacity live entertainment space that is slated to open in the winter of 2027.
“The Whitehill Ballroom represents much more than another venue. It is a transformative addition to the Midtown Arts District and an investment in the continued growth of Butler’s campus as one of Indianapolis’ most vibrant destinations for arts and entertainment,” says Hurt.
The Whitehill Ballroom is a project designed to speak to a younger demographic and incorporate a broader range of contemporary artists and genres. Rather than replace the classic Clowes Hall in favor of a contemporary replacement, the Whitehill Ballroom is intended to complement the existing venue while opening space for a new era of performing artists in one entertainment destination.
Hurt expects the additions and upgrades will draw more students, neighbors, visitors and audiences from throughout Central Indiana, making Butler a cultural and entertainment destination for young and mature audiences alike.
If you plan on attending an upcoming show while the Whitehill Ballroom construction persists, you’re encouraged to allow for extra time to accommodate the route changes until the project is completed.
The updates were made possible through generous support from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation and are part of a larger period of investment and growth for Butler Arts.
“There has never been more happening at Butler Arts. Between Broadway, concerts, comedy, dance, theater, family programming, community organizations, and the addition of the Whitehill Ballroom, we’re continuing to expand both the variety and number of experiences available on campus. If you haven’t been to Clowes in a while, this is a great time to come back. We’re incredibly proud of the improvements we’ve made, and we’re even more excited about what’s ahead,” comments Hurt.
To learn more about upcoming performances and plan your next visit to Clowes Hall, visit butlerartspresents.org/venues/clowes-memorial-hall/.
