Fort Wayne’s Embassy Theatre acquires local arts nonprofit Audiences Unlimited
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A historic theater in Fort Wayne is making an acquisition in the hopes of growing its reach in the northeast Indiana performing arts community.
The Embassy Theatre announced this week it has acquired Audiences Unlimited—a nonprofit with the mission to improve access to the arts for those with limited access. The two organization say the merger will lead to more inclusive arts programming in the region.
“This merger is a natural fit,” said Kelly Updike, president and CEO of the Embassy Theatre, in a press release. “Our missions align beautifully, and together, we are uniquely positioned to broaden the reach of the arts, foster deeper community engagement, and create inclusive experiences for audiences of all backgrounds.”
In an interview with our partners at WPTA-TV, Updike said Audiences Unlimited operates in six counties in the region and the merger will let the theater get out in the community more than it has previously.
The Embassy is a Fort Wayne mainstay, first built in 1928 as a movie theater and old vaudeville house. The theater is now on the National Register of Historic Places and recently completed a $10 million renovation. The building now features a two-story ballroom with a rooftop patio, educational spaces and meeting rooms and administrative workspaces.
AUI also dates back multiple decades in northeast Indiana and has partnerships with long-term care facilities. Its goal is to bring performing arts to people who trouble getting out to see shows including those in nursing homes or adults with disabilities.
The press release did not specify any other terms of the merger.