Today:
Indianapolis audiences will most likely recognize Ty as a performer from his long-standing (20 year) relationship with Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Which started in 1987 as Jud Fry in Oklahoma! Since then he has appeared in over 40 Mainstage (B&B) and Children's (Pyramid Players) productions. Among them number, nearly a decade as Santa in their Christmas show, Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, recently as Old Deuteronomy in the Indianapolis premier of CATS and Maurice (Belle's father) in the Indianapolis premier of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Oddly, most of this BEFORE actually living here! He also just appeared... really appeared in the acclaimed Indy premiere of THE FULL MONTY at ACT.
Ty only took up permanent residence in fair Indy 6 years ago, though proud to call himself a Hoosier. He was born and bred in the southern part of the state and degreed through the Indiana State University Theatre department. He spent 12 years as a gypsy roaming the regional theatre circuits but the hub of the Midwest always seemed to call him back to Indy via the stage at the B&B. As an actor he has worked as a professional for a total of 25 years. Through multiple tours and riding the circuits he has been fortunate enough to perform in all 48 of the great continental United States.
His travels also took him to the Big Apple and he stopped there extendedly twice. The last time for 5 years where he was fortunate enough to play Ross the -carnival barker/owner- of THE ELEPHANT MAN in the 20th anniversary production of that wonderful play. Even though he called NYC his home during that time he still managed to make it back to the Circle City to spread holiday cheer every year. He also appeared Off-Broadway in the irreverent musical farce FALSE PROFITS; about corrupt religious leaders by composer Neil Berg who's hit version of PRINCE AND THE PAUPER has enjoyed great success both in NY and regionally. As a director in NYC he had the wonderful opportunities to work on such projects as, FIVE FLOOR WALK-UP, HOW I GOT THAT STORY, and BEYOND THERAPY among others. While in NYC Ty was fortunate to study at Endeavor, TVI, The Actor's Connection, H-B, and McHale-Barone Studios, and with such people as Tara Rubin, Marshall W. Mason, Phil Hall, Neil Berg, Michael Unger, Dan Duckworth, Jessi Klein (Comedy Central), Sande Campbell and Thom Sandri.
Ty is an independent director, teacher and acting coach. He is the Associate Artistic Director of the Children's Theatre Institute and the Artistic Director of The Arden Theatre. He is also an accomplished produced playwright. With his writing partner Michael Hoagland (another Hoosier boy just call him Hoagy) he writes family musicals, the kind they grew up on, under the company name Musical Adventures Ink. In 2001 they premiered their adaptation of THE JUNGLE BOOK at B&B for The Pyramid Players at B&B and it has gone on for multiple professional productions across the country. They premiered RIP VAN WINKLE'S SLEEPY HOLLOW, at B&B for The Pyramid Players in the fall of 2004 and have secured additional productions of it as well. In the Spring of 2005 they premiered their -Shrektian- version of RUMPELSTILTSKIN to great success. In addition to being a writer and director Ty is also an AEA actor, accomplished singer and voice over artist and a freelance professional Santa, (www.indysanta.com) a job he takes most seriously.
9/11 was the event that brought him back home that and the draw of a certain cute soprano. He and said singer just gave birth to their first "Grace" note, Estelle this July.
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Welcome to indy.com, Ty! And the jumpsuits are just for working under my car....
There is a Santa?
Break a leg on Sunday, Ty! Be scary!
I think we may be able to make two happen. And yes, it was a pleasure meeting you as well. It's perfectly clear that you're the man for the job.
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog I wrote about what is there to do in Indy. I do enjoy the theatre. I'd really like to go to Beef N' Boards.. but I work weekends and I know it's pretty expensive. I enjoy musicals and comedies. Even though I know that there is IRT.. I don't knwo where it is or what they put on or how much it costs. Thanks for your commets.. I appreciate them! Sweetypie
Hey Ty! My best friend just moved back to Indy not long ago and is looking for a job. She's a theater major and would love to do something in that line of work. She's a really great stage manager, but good at just about anything that has to do with theater, staying organized and getting things done. Do you know of anything at the Children's Theater Institute? Or anything else since I'm sure you've got connections elsewhere too. Thanks!
Thanks for being a fan.