| Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University | |
| Pushpin Map: | Indiana |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Clowes Memorial Hall in Indiana |
| Address: | 4602 Sunset Avenue |
| City: | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Country: | United States |
| Coordinates: | 39.8403°N -86.1697°W |
| Architect: | Evans Woollen III and John M. Johansen |
| Owner: | Butler University |
| Operator: | Butler University |
| Capacity: | 2,096 2,172 possible |
| Yearsactive: | 1963–present |
| Currentuse: | Performing arts |
Clowes Memorial Hall, officially known as Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, is a performance hall located on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Opened October 18, 1963, it hosts numerous significant concerts, orchestras, musicals, plays, and guest speakers. Clowes Hall anchors the Butler Arts and Events Center, which includes the Schrott Center for the Arts, Shelton Auditorium, the Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall, and the Lilly Hall Studio Theatre.[1]
Clowes Memorial Hall, which opened in 1963, was co-designed by noted Indianapolis architect Evans Woollen III, of Woollen, Molzan and Partners, and John M. Johansen, a well-known architect who established his practice in New Canaan, Connecticut. The performing hall is notable for its exposed concrete slabs, which are typical of the Brutalist architecture style.[2] Woollen served as the junior partner in the project but was the "driving force behind its design and detail."[3] Since it opened, the architectural community has praised its bold design.[3] In 2021, a six-person panel of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Indianapolis members identified the venue among the ten most "architecturally significant" buildings completed in the city since World War II.[4]
The design for the 24000square feet, $3.5 million building was a controversial one. Still, Allen Whitehill Clowes, son of George Henry Alexander Clowes, for whom the building is named, supported Woollen's proposal. Johanson had been Woollen's professor at Yale and was a former classmate of Allen Clowes at Harvard University.[5]
Clowes, a former director of biochemical research for Eli Lilly and Company, maintained a lifetime love of the arts. With the help of his wife and Butler University, the Clowes Fund was created to help build the performing arts facility. The building was initially intended to be used by both Butler University and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. This joint venture continued until 1984 when the orchestra purchased, renovated, and moved to the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.[1]
In addition to being the former home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Clowes Memorial Hall has been home to a number of notable music performances and productions. In 2011, Indianapolis-born Adam Lambert recorded his Glam Nation Tour at the venue for the Glam Nation Live CD/DVD set.
Among those who have appeared at Clowes are Barbra Streisand (1963), Bob Hope (1963), Ella Fitzgerald (1967), Judy Garland (1967), Johnny Carson (1967), Diana Ross & The Supremes (1968), Beach Boys (1968), Benny Goodman Sextet (1977), Harry Chapin (1979), comedian George Carlin (1984), Sandi Patty (1985), R.E.M. (1985), Whitney Houston (1985), The Psychedelic Furs (1987), Miles Davis (1987), Maya Angelou (1988), Alan Parsons Live (Project) (1995), Vertical Horizon (2000), Everclear (2002), Michelle Branch (2003), comedian Chris Rock (2004), Ben Folds (2005), My Morning Jacket (2006), band OK Go (2007), Common (rapper (2008), John Mellencamp (2010), Elton John (2010), coach Bob Knight (2011), author John Green (2011), The Fray (2011), Garrison Keillor (2012), Jimmy Fallon (2012), author David Sedaris (2012), Colbie Caillat (2013), Jay Leno (2014), Kesha (2016), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (2017), John Hiatt (2017), Alison Krauss (2018), travel host Rick Steves (2019), astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson (2021), Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets (Pink Floyd's drummer) (2022), Impractical Jokers' Joe Gatto (2022), William Shatner (2023), archaeologist host Josh Gates (2023), the Broadway play Hadestown (2024), and comedian Jim Gaffigan (2024).[6]
| Seating area | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|
| Main Floor | 1,218 | |
| First Terrace and Boxes | 307 | |
| Second Terrace and Boxes | 289 | |
| Third Terrace and Boxes | 282 | |
| Pit Seating (limited viewing seats) | 76 | |
| Total capacity | 2,172 |