What is The Cat?
We're so glad you asked! (Answers below.)
A Creative Hub for Community Arts
The vision of The Cat is to be the "Off-Off-Broadway" of Carmel Indiana, giving the artists of greater Indianapolis a local, welcoming, and affordable place to play; and giving audiences an affordable place to be entertained.
The Cat offers residency for theatre troupes without a home and is available for artistic events, classes, recitals and private events.
Sandwiched between the Carmel Arts & Design District and Monon Boulevard, our 100-seat theatre can be found at 254 Veterans Way SW, Carmel, IN 46032.
A Tail Worth Telling: How We Came to Be
The Cat was founded in 2017 by local actor, producer, and director Will Wood (left), who was inspired to make live performance accessible to all after failing to find a reasonably-priced local rehearsal and performance space for his own upcoming show.
After stumbling upon an old airplane parts manufacturing building-turned-concert venue in downtown Carmel, Indiana (which had recently closed), Will realized he was standing in the perfect building to house his dream: a community theatre for artists like himself, looking for an affordable venue to share their talents with the community.
From its inception, The Cat has committed to the mission of making live performance accessible to all by providing reasonable rental rates for resident troupes and low ticket prices for audience members. Since opening its doors, The Cat's two venues, The Catatorium and The Kitten, have held thousands of rehearsals, classes, and performances by theatre companies, individual artists, music schools, comedy groups, dance companies, and more.
More than 9 lives (years) later, The Cat has expanded to include adult and youth performance programming via the Carmel Apprentice Theatre and The ACatemy for Young Dramatists, respectively. Each group aims to encourage local performers of all ages and experience levels to take the stage with confidence, both at The Cat and in life beyond that familiar red curtain.
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More Than a Stage
The Cat provides a welcoming and affordable space for local talent to perform. Learn more about our Resident Troupes, and how you can become one, by clicking the links below.
Our Mission
The Cat's mission is to provide an affordable, inclusive, and fun place for local residents to put on a show, host an event, learn, and grow through the performing arts. We offer a welcoming space for Carmel and the greater Indianapolis area to support and enjoy the theatre as patrons, actors, entertainers, and audiences.
The Cat Leadership Team
Will Wood
Founding Artistic Director
After a 30-year hiatus, Will Wood returned to theatre in 2009 and has since assistant directed, directed or produced nearly 20 shows across central Indiana. While searching for rehearsal and performance space, Will and his wife and business partner, Deborah, found the location in Carmel's Arts and Design District and created The Cat, realizing Will's vision for community theatre that's accessible to everyone.
Audrey Larkin
Managing Director of Education and Programing
Audrey Larkin has spent her life in theatre. A Baldwin Wallace University Theater Program graduate, she specialized in dramaturgy, directing and acting. She joined Carmel Apprentice Theatre as Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and never left. Offstage, she enjoys writing, working on her laptop and reading books.
Kim Drake
General Manager
Kim Drake is married with five children and four grandchildren. Her connection to theatre began in 2017, when her daughter started performing at The Point Theater. Since then, she has immersed herself in the theatre community and joined The Cat team. She enjoys family time, church volunteering and watching productions come alive.
Ella Owens
Operations Assistant
Ella Owens has been part of The Cat family since 2020, bringing a lifelong love of performance. She began dancing at 18 months old and now performs, teaches dance and belongs to a ballet company. She channels her creativity into acting and dancing and enjoys food, music, books and creative pursuits.
Deborah Wood
President, The Cat Board of Directors
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The Cat Support Staff
Jake Williams
Music Director
Jacob has served as music director for 5 years for several companies, The Carmel Apprentice Theater, Reciprocal Productions, and most recently The Cat's Drama Department. He has used his experience and knowledge with music and performing to help performers grow into their voices and help them find confidence in their person, on and off stage.
Maureen Hiner-Akins
Operations Assistant
Maureen is accomplished in Ballet, Tap, Irish, Scottish Highland, Swing, Folk, Latin, and Ballroom Dance serving as choreographer for many Cat shows for the past 8 years. She is certified with the British Association of Teachers of Dancers; studied at Oberlin College; and National Ballet School of Canada. She won the 2018 Encore Award for Best Choreography in a Musical for Ragtime. She is also an actress and director for the Carmel Apprentice Theater.
Beth Glynn
Founding Artistic Director
After a 30-year hiatus, Will Wood returned to theatre in 2009 and has since assistant directed, directed or produced nearly 20 shows across central Indiana. While searching for rehearsal and performance space, Will and his wife and business partner, Deborah, found the location in Carmel's Arts and Design District and created The Cat, realizing Will's vision for community theatre that's accessible to everyone.