My mission in writing this column is to shine a spotlight on Central Indiana performing arts organizations and artists. In that spirit, I offer the following list, in alphabetical order, of individual performing arts figures. It is my distinct pleasure to honor this accomplished group of innovative, impactful and representative artists or arts administrators I covered in 2023.
David Commanday – Carmel Symphony Orchestra music director
Adrian Dominguez – Dance Kaleidoscope dancer
Austin Huntington – Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra principal cello
Matt Kraft – actor
Ismael Lara Jr. – Indiana Repertory Theatre associate artistic director
Lakesha Lorene – Naptown African American Theatre Collective Inc. – CEO/founder and actpr
Devan Mathias – actor-singer-dancer
Stephen McCoy – Indianapolis Men’s Chorus executive director
Joseph Perkins – actor-singer-dancer
Marianne Williams Tobias (posthumous) – classical pianist, author, musicologist, arts patron and philanthropist
photo: Josh Humble
About Tom
Journalist, producer, director, Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, arts administrator, TV contributor, actor, model, writer and lyricist, Tom Alvarez has had an extensive career in media and the fine arts and continues to be an enthusiastic and devoted fan of both. His passion and unique background grant him insight, access and perspective to cover, promote and review the arts in Indianapolis, Central Indiana and beyond. Follow him on social media @tomalvarezartswriter and @tomalvarez1.
Alvarez has been writing about theatre, dance, music, cinema and visual arts for 40 years. His work has appeared in the Indianapolis Star, NUVO, Indianapolis Monthly, Arts Indiana, Unite Magazine, Dance Magazine, NOTE Magazine, and Examiner.com, among many other print and online platforms. A former contributor to Across Indiana on WFYI-TV, he currently has a regular performing arts segment on WISH-TV’s Life. Style. Live!
A principal of Klein & Alvarez Productions, LLC, Alvarez co-created “Calder, The Musical” and is the managing director of Magic Thread Cabaret. As an actor-model, he has appeared in numerous TV and print ads and is represented by the Helen Wells Agency and Heyman Talent Artists Agency.
