The Circle Theatre opened in 1916 as one of the nation's first grand movie palaces. Through the efforts of the Indiana Symphony Society, it reopened on October 12, 1984 as the home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. It was generously endowed by Stephen and Tomisue Hilbert in December 1996 and renamed the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930 by German conductor Ferdinand Schaefer. Its inaugural performance was noted by Time Magazine. Through the years, the group of volunteer musicians who split the original ticket sales grew into a professional orchestra that performs more than 200 concerts each year at the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre and at Conner Prairie Living History Museum, as well as sites around the state.

The historic Theatre's intimate size (1,781 seats) and customized stage area suited to an 87-member ensemble create a superb venue for live performances. The hall is available for rental for your special event.