Universities -- Given Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and the nearby Illinois State University in Normal, it shouldn't be a surprise that Bloomington has a rich performing arts scene. Many events are held at university venues, which include ISU's 3600-seat Braden Auditorium, the more intimate ISU Center for the Performing Arts, with its specialized recital halls, and the McPherson Theatre at Illinois Wesleyan University. Other resources in Bloomington include:

USA Ballet -- Bloomington's own ballet company tours nationally and occasionally internationally, but does perform several times across the year in its home town, on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. Touring ballet and dance companies from other cities also play in Bloomington.

Illinois Shakespeare Festival -- The Theatre at Ewing Manor, near the intersection of Towanda Avenue and Emerson Street in Bloomington, is the home to this annual event, in which three plays are performed in rotation during the summer. This venue, like all good Elizabethan theatres, is outdoors. The performers are drawn from across the nation, and the performances are considered one of the top places to see Shakespeare in the USA.

Community Players Theatre -- This local theatre company holds several performances over the year at its own theatre, including dramatic works, comedies, and musicals. The cast is drawn from the local populace, although many are dedicated performers with experience in other cities. It is as fun to perform in a production here as it is to watch it. There are also a number of unaffiliated local theatre companies that do not have their own venues, giving everyone a chance to act out their fantasies.

Bloomington Cultural District -- The centerpiece of the Cultural District is the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, which was fully renovated in 2006. It features the latest technologies, and one of the largest stages in the Midwest. The auditorium seats 1200 comfortably in an environment with excellent acoustics. It plays host to a multitude of touring acts; its 2006-07 schedule includes performers from five continents, across the full range of the performing arts. Touring events, local events, and a family entertainment series keep this venue active every weekend. The District is also home to the McLean County Arts Center, which features exhibitions of mostly local artists. Finally, the District will soon be the home to the Arts Education Center, which will provide broad educational opportunities in various categories of the fine arts. There are a number of private galleries within a few blocks of the Education Center, and Illinois State University maintains a branch studio nearby.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra. The ISO's regular season runs from September to April, although there are summer performances at the bandshell at Miller Park on Bloomington's west side. The regular season includes a classical series, a pops series, and a chamber music series. Most performances are held at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

These resources are enough to satisfy all but the most demanding arts lovers. However, for an even greater range of events, it's an easy 135-minute drive (or 140-minute Amtrak service) into downtown Chicago for a day or weekend of shopping, dinner, and the arts.