IMTA News

"The Mystery of Indygrove Manor" at Freemasons' Hall Starts Friday, Oct. 3

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:07:23 -0500

MASONS ADMITTED FREE TO INDIANAPOLIS PREMIER HALLOWEEN COMEDY STAGE PLAY The Indygrove family has been summoned to the family estate to pay their respects to wealthy matriarch Ernestine Elwonga. She doesn't trust any of the family members and makes the mistake of telling them so. Dottie and son Dexter Indygrove will do anything to insure that the lion's share of the estate goes to them. Meanwhile, husband Aykroyd Indygrove doesn't know who to fear more - the law or his wife. Ernestine's allies include her beautiful ward Tillie Webshuttle and....the mysterious Phantom of Indygrove! This Halloween appropriate family-friendly for all ages melodrama is a perfect way to add more fun to your holiday season. The cast (from left to right) Mary Hunt, Jack O'Connor, Jane Bostwick, Eldric Harmon, and April R. Sparks are ready to entertain you in the Stage Actors' Workshop family-friendly comedy, "The Mystery of Indygrove Manor" written by D. Chapelle. The classically performed melodrama will run October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, & 26.. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm. Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm. Masons and their families are admitted free with a donation to the Freemasons' Hall Building fund. Performances will be at the Freemasons' Hall Theater, 525 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN. 46204. For information or directions call Bob Rini at 201-3436 or e-mail at: saw_theater@yahoo.com The Stage Actors' Workshop is a not-for-profit community theater acting company comprised of talented people who do theater for the love of it. Their mission is to bring to the public live stage shows that are entertaining and educational at a cost that will not break the family budget. Children 12 years-old and younger are always admitted for only $4 with a paying adult. Bob Rini has served as the company’s artistic director since its inception in 1998. They offer affordable acting classes for adults and children. More information may be obtained by e-mailing them at saw_theater@yahoo.com - 30 -

New Security and Scheduling Coming to FM Hall

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:00:03 -0500

There's not much activity over the summer at Freemasons' Hall, but when lodges return at the end of summer they will see some new faces at the welcome desk. The Temple Association has employed the services of Securitas to provide security for the building. With new activity, renters and other events, the Board has determined that we need professional personnel to keep track of the many new people coming in and out of the building, and to provide greater safety for our members. In the coming weeks, the Board will be providing all lodges and Masonic bodies in the building with new scheduling procedures. Because Securitas is a paid service, the longtime informal methods of scheduling events in the building must become more formal and standardized so we can ensure the building is open, with security folks on duty. Lodge and appendant body secretaries and recorders will soon receive official notification of the new procedures. Once issued, we must insist that these new guidelines are adhered to. Otherwise, you could find the building locked for your event, and no one wants that to happen. Watch your mailboxes and look for postings in the building coming soon.

Freemasons' Hall decked out for the Glorious Fourth

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:16:41 -0500

Here's a fairly awful hand-held phone video of Freemasons' Hall blinking red, white and blue last night during the festivities downtown. Shot from the Scottish Rite Cathedral parking lot at about 9:30 PM.

If you're reading this

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:38:17 -0500

then our site move came off without a hitch.

"MEETING OF MINDS" BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE ON STAGE

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:34:37 -0500

For immediate release 5-1-08 Point of Contact Robert R. Rini Business Office: 337 Parkway Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46225-2509 Phone: 317-201-3436 Fax: (317) 634-9063 "MEETING OF MINDS" BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE ON STAGE The cast: Galileo Galilei (Bob Rini), Emily Dickinson (Glory June Greiff), Charles Darwin, (George Dokes), Stevie Allen (Mary Hunt), and Attila the Hun (Carl Conway), are in for a lively evening of discussion at Steve Allen’s home in "Meeting of Minds." This family-friendly visit with these famous figures from history is a stage adaptation of the Steve Allen scripted popular public television series. Performances are at the Freemason Hall Theater on May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, & 18. The theater is located at 525 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis 46204. The play is produced by the Stage Actors Workshop. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm; and Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm. A Mason accompanied by his family will be admitted for only a donation to the Freemason Hall Building fund. For non-Masons tickets are $12 for adults; children 16 years old and younger will be admitted free with a paying adult. Reservations are NOT required. For information, or directions call 201-3436. World-conqueror Attila the Hun will face-off with Galileo and Darwin while the reclusive Emily Dickinson adds her thoughts. The gathering of these historical figures is the brain-child of Steve Allen. The action of the play takes place at his home, in an informal setting. What would these famous people say to each other if they met today? That is the clever premise of Mr. Allen’s family-friendly script, which had a successful run on PBS in the 1970s. The Stage Actors' Workshop is a not-for-profit community theater acting company comprised of talented people who do theater for the love of it. Their mission is to bring to the public live stage shows that are entertaining and educational at a cost that will not break the family budget. Children 16 years-old and younger are always admitted free with a paying adult. Bob Rini has served as the company’s artistic director since its inception in 1998. They offer affordable acting classes for adults and children. More information may be obtained by e-mailing them at bobrini@yahoo.com . - 30 -

Why is Freemasons' Hall pink?

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:23:51 -0500

Folks driving past the Temple last night, tonight, and through the weekend may note with some surprise that the building has been lit up in pink rather than its usual blue. This is in honor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which will take place in Indianapolis on Saturday, April 19. We hope that our ladies as well as the rest of the community appreciate our support for this important event.

National Register of Historic Places application approved!

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:58:27 -0500

As of March 19, 2008, Indiana Freemasons' Hall (aka "Indianapolis Masonic Temple") has been listed (scroll down to "Indiana, Marion County") on the National Register of Historic Places. Our profuse appreciation and thanks go out to Glory-June Greiff, the public historian who put together our submission.

Freemasons' Hall now listed on Indiana Register

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:24:07 -0500

James R. Dillman, President of the IMTA Board, announced today:

Indiana Freemasons' Hall has passed its final review by the state and is now officially listed on the Indiana Register of Historic Places. Final review by the National Park Service is pending, and if favorable, the building should be added to the National Register of Historic Places within six to eight weeks. This has been a long, grueling process. Thanks to Indianapolis historian Glory-June Greiff who wrote up the very-detailed nomination and guided it through the red tape.

IMHF conference room pics

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:53:08 -0500

Back in November we posted pictures of the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation's renovated office. At the time we couldn't get into the conference room, but we were able to do that today. As usual, click for a larger image.

Beginners Acting Classes for Adults offered at Freemasons' Hall

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:10:37 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-2-08 POINT OF CONTACT: BOB RINI 337 PARKWAY AVENUE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN. 46225 Phone/FAX 634-9063, cell 201-3436 e-mail: sawclasses@yahoo.com BEGINNERS ACTING CLASSES FOR ADULTS ARE OFFERED The Stage Actors' Workshop will begin their Winter series of beginners’ acting classes Wednesdays, January 9, 2008. All classes will meet once a week on Wednesday evenings and run for six consecutive Wednesdays. The six-weekly sessions each last 90 minutes. Class will begin at 7 pm. The classes are intended for Adults 18 and older. The cost is $89 per student. After six sessions students will learn the skills to increase their success rate at auditioning for roles in community theater productions. Classes are held at the Stage Actors’ Workshop’s performance space at the Freemasons’ Hall Theater, 525 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Freemasons' Hall is located at the southeast corner of Illinois and North Streets, about one-mile north of Monument Circle; Free parking is available around the building. Phone 317-634-9063 or 201-3436 for information and registration. Or E-mail at sawclasses@yahoo.com Classes are designed to be independent of each other so students need not attend every class to benefit from the training. The accent will be on the fun of the learning process. Students can begin at any point and still improve their skills. Experienced actors are encouraged to attend and share their knowledge and experience. Guest experienced actors may lecture in some classes. Partial payment options are available. Other class times may be available. - 30 -

Freemasons' Hall in Sunday Star

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:03:28 -0500

Freemasons' Hall was one of the featured buildings in the Indianapolis Star's "Under Roman Influence" article in the Sunday, December 9, 2007 edition. The article begins on page 6 of the Indy Sunday magazine section and Freemasons' Hall is pictured with a short blurb on page 11. The article is also online here. A beautiful photo of the auditorium can be found in the accompanying multimedia section, here.

IMTA acquires new ice machine for main kitchen

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:38:21 -0500

The small ice machine that had been used for a number of years died about three weeks ago, and the Board voted to replace it with a new Manitowoc machine capable of making 215 pounds of ice every 24 hours. The machine can store 80 pounds of ice at any given time. It was professionally installed for us on Monday. A member of Logan Lodge who prefers to remain anonymous (sure, whatever, Freddie) dispenses some of the first ice from the machine for Logan's stated meeting dinner last night: With proper maintenance and regular cleaning, this new machine should last many years.

Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at Freemason's Hall; Masons and families admitted free with donation

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:52:14 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-1-07 POINT OF CONTACT: BOB RINI 337 PARKWAY AVENUE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46225 phone/FAX 634-9063 MASONS AND THEIR FAMILIES ADMITTED FREE TO FREEMASON HALL THEATER DURING CHARLES DICKENS' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" PRESENTATION BY THE STAGE ACTORS’ WORKSHOP A dramatic one-act adaptation by Bob Rini of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" will be performed by the Stage Actors' Workshop at The Freemason Hall Theater, 525 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Masons and their families will be admitted free. Donations will be accepted for the Indiana Masonic Temple Association Building fund. Performances will be December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30, 2007. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm. The play will be followed by a Holiday Variety Show performed by the cast and including opportunities for audience participation. Tickets cost $12 for adults, with children 16 years-old and younger admitted free with a paying adult. The show will be directed by Michael Maloney. Call the Workshop at 634-9063 for information, directions, and reservations. The Workshop’s stage adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol” was inspired from the original novel. The well known scenes portraying all the characters are included to tell the story of the miserly employer who comes to understand the spirit of Christmas with the help of some spiritual intervention. The Workshop’s one-act adaptation is followed, by a holiday variety show. Cast members sing, tell holiday stories, reminisce about personal holiday experiences, and along the way invite audience participation. The Stage Actors’ Workshop considers their Holiday show to be the highlight of their performance season. The Stage Actors' Workshop is a not-for-profit community theater acting company comprised of talented people who do theater for the love of it. Their mission is to bring to the public live stage shows that are entertaining and educational at a cost that will not break the family budget. Children 16 years-old and younger are always admitted free with a paying adult. Bob Rini has served as the company’s artistic director since its inception in 1998. They offer affordable acting classes for adults and children. More information may be obtained by e-mailing them at saw_theater@yahoo.com

Electric scooter donated to the Temple Board

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:36:44 -0500

Bro. Andy Gilbert of Centre Lodge #23 has donated a handicapped scooter for use in the building. This scooter appears nearly brand new and will certainly be a blessing to some of our less mobile brethren. The scooter will fit comfortably into the elevator. The IMTA board is very grateful to Andy for his generous donation. Contact building superintendent Steve Estle if you have a need for the scooter. It is currently being stored outside the IMTA office on the fourth floor if you would like to see it.

IMHF office renovations recently completed

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:21:59 -0500

We have been somewhat remiss in not congratulating our tenants and good friends at the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, Inc., on the fabulous job done on their recent office renovation. We know that George Proctor and crew are very happy to be back in their space after spending the summer visiting at the Scottish Rite. (Not that visiting the Scottish Rite is bad, but the space was fairly cramped.) A few pictures of the new digs follow. We weren't able to get a picture of the new conference room today but we'll get one soon and post it. In the meantime, this is the hallway outside the conference room. Note the new glass windows where the old cloakroom shutters used to be. A major improvement on what was there before! Here is the IMHF receptionist's desk: And here is part of the spacious reception area: We did not take any pictures of the private offices but they are known to be first-class and "comfy". As usual, click any of the pictures for a larger view.