Each year, The Indianapolis Star provides an insider’s look at the array of offerings on the fall arts scene — art exhibitions, dance, theater, music and literary events.

On the following pages, Star reporters offer their Top 5 picks of the season. Or check out our calendars for a list of what’s to come.

Enjoy.

T.J. Banes

A former arts and entertainment writer, I grew up performing in high school musicals and later with college and community theater troupes.

One of my earliest “ah-ha” moments was when my high school drama teacher took a busload of students to Chicago to see “A Chorus Line” at the Drury Lane Theater. In recent years, I’ve had an opportunity to watch my children experience the same excitement while watching “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway.

I’m an avid reader, an amateur artist and an absolute nut for live theater and movies. One of my passions is watching visual and performing artists create and entertain.

Contact: tjbanes@indystar.com.

Amy Bartner

I have always had a great deal of respect and love for all forms of entertainment. Early on in my life, I quickly realized I had no talent for singing or dancing, so I had to stick with watching musicals and shows instead.

Nowadays, you’ll find me playing Wii, watching horror movies or singing along with Elton John songs in my car.

Contact: amy.bartner@indystar.com.

Jenny Elig

I spent 10 years in a creative and performing arts school in Ohio, and the arrival of September always meant that the yearly infusion of arts exposure had begun.

There is no better backdrop for the arts than a season that is changing to fall; the only thing to top fall arts is sharing the experiences with friends and family.

Contact: jenny.elig@indystar.com.

Jay Harvey

My earliest arts memory is sitting in my rocking chair, hugging my teddy bear and singing along to a 78-rpm rendition of “Do You Know the Muffin Man?”

In the eons since then, I became a spectator and participant in theater (my largest role was Lord Capulet in high school), music (choirs, bands and orchestras) and dance (audience member only, alas).

I have covered the arts in Michigan and Indianapolis for most of the past 40 years, learning that newspaper criticism is a sort of performing art — with similar opportunities for vain display as well as humiliation, but also, with luck, contributing something more useful in between.

And as far as I know, the Muffin Man still lives in Drury Lane.

Contact: jay.harvey@indystar.com.

David Lindquist

I grew up in a rural community in Illinois, where I learned the basics of playing piano and trombone. I didn’t develop any aptitude as a musician, but concerts became a favorite pastime.

I still consider live shows to be the peak artistic experience. It’s the only time a specific performance will be shared with a specific audience, and it won’t be the same tomorrow night in Cincinnati.

Contact: david.lindquist@indy.com.

Konrad Marshall

I’ve always dabbled in the arts.

I’ve tried my hand at painting, singing and photography. I even aspired to be an architect and interior designer. But, eventually, I found I was better with words than images.

Now I can be found at small art exhibitions in places like the Murphy Arts Building and the Harrison Center for the Arts, probably talking to artists and curators and collectors about who they are and what drives them.