In December 2023, IU Opera and Ballet Theater premiered a major makeover of their annual production of The Nutcracker. Now, that production will be airing on public television stations across the country, thanks to a collaboration between WTIU and the Jacobs School of Music. Senior producer Todd Gould, who led the filming of that production, spoke with Sarah Wroth, chair of the Ballet Department, and Sasha Janes, a professor of ballet and the new production’s choreographer.
Art Scenes Need City Government
Music visionary Brian Eno has pointed out that the people we see as “geniuses” are not usually “self-made,” the way we usually imagine. They’re often part of a thriving community of many people working on similar creative projects – and that includes not just artists but critics, curators, and more. He coined the word “scenius” to encapsulate that phenomenon.
Holly Warren and Chaz Mottinger runs the City of Bloomington’s arts wing, and while they’re not trying to cultivate something as exclusive as a “scene,” they are doing everything they can to create a thriving arts community here in Bloomington. Holly is the City’s Assistant Director for the Arts and Chaz is Special Projects Manager, both in the Economic and Sustainable Development Department. Alex Chambers and Kayte Young talked with them about the City’s 1% for the Arts program, grants, new artist studio space, and their vision for how the City can create a thriving artistic community.
God, On Stage
Constellation has two shows running this month. A Christmas Story: The Musical runs December 11 through January 4 at the Waldron Auditorium. Downstairs from the auditorium, in the Waldron Firebay, you can talk to God. Or -even better - God will talk to you. It’s An Act of God,written by David Javerbaum, who was a writer for The Daily Show and won 11 Emmys for that. An Act of God came out on Broadway in 2015, and now, at the end of 2025, Eric Shelley will be acting as God in Bloomington. Alex Chambers spoke with Eric Shelley and director David Sheehan.
What To Do at the End of December
The holidays are jam-packed with things to do—we’ve already discussed two festive events happening in Bloomington. But what else is in store for the latter half of December? Alex sent Kayte and Tyler out to discover the best ways to round out the busy holiday season.
- Messiah Sing-Along at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church – Sunday December 14 at 3 p.m.
- Garlands & Greenery Tours & Festivities at Wylie House Museum – December 19 and 20 from 10 am to 4 p.m.
- Holiday of Lights Drive-Through Christmas Light Display at the Monroe County Fairgrounds – December 19 at 6 p.m.
- It’s a Wonderful Life at Brown County Playhouse – December 19 at 7:30 p.m.
- Dive Deeper at WonderLab – December 26 from 3-4 p.m.
Ready to say “Bah, humbug!” and throw the towel in on merriment? They also found some ways to escape the festivities...
- See a show at The Comedy Attic – Their lineup of December performances—including a New Year’s celebration—is available online.
- Join The Back Door for karaoke, trivia nights, and lots of line dancing – Visit their events calendar for dates and details.
- The IU Moving Image Archive presents You (probably) Haven’t Seen This Before at Blockhouse Bar – December 18 at 7 p.m.
- Jacobs Harp Academy Winter Concert at Auer Hall – December 14 at 2 p.m.
- Weird Fiction Book Club at Morgenstern Books – December 28 at 7 p.m.
- Zine Club and Collage Collective collaboration at Bloomington Fine Art Supply – December 18 from 5-7 p.m.
... and more on the WFIU Community Calendar!
CREDITS
This episode was produced and edited by Alex Chambers. We get production help from Danny William, Holly Wilkerson, Karl Templeton, Eddie Stewart, Leo Paes, Jillian Blackburn and Jonah Ballard.
Our theme music was composed and performed by Alan Davis. Additional music from Universal Production Music. The executive producer is Eric Bolstridge.