BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – IU Auditorium is excited to announce that for the second-straight year, it will present free pre-show talks prior to every season show taking place as part of the 2026–2027 season schedule. These public events will be led by experts in various fields speaking on topics that correlate with that day’s performance including themes, content, production, and more.

 

Prior to last season, IU Auditorium had provided pre-show talks for some shows as speakers and topics were available, but for a second-consecutive year, every season show will include this experience. Each pre-show talk will begin one hour prior to the show's start time and conclude at least 15 minutes prior to curtain time to allow attendees to get to their seats before the performance begins.

 

For the fall semester, talks will take place directly next door to IU Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building or in Woodburn Hall 120. This information can be found at IUauditorium.com on each show’s event page. It’s also communicated to ticket buyers in advance of performances. These buildings are located near Showalter Fountain just steps from the entrance into the Auditorium. Tickets are not required to attend these talks, and each one is open and free to the public.

 

The first pre-show talk of the season will take place on September 12 and 13 prior to both performances of Frozen in Concert as part of the Jacobs Live at the Movies film series. The talk will be led by composers Larry Groupé and Kirby Haugland, both faculty members at the Jacobs School of Music. The engaging talk will explore the art of film scoring and Disney’s rich musical legacy. Groupé will share how music and story come together on screen, while Haugland offers insight into the music that has shaped generations of Disney storytelling. Audience members will discover what to listen for as the IU Philharmonic brings the score of Frozen to life alongside the film.

 

This first talk, and all pre-show talks throughout the season will provide invaluable insight into the productions and artists that make up IU Auditorium’s amazing 2026–2027 season lineup while enhancing the theatre-going experience.

 

For upcoming talks and topics, visit the season event pages on IUauditorium.com as well as upcoming events on IU Auditorium’s Facebook page.