The Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater Debuts in New Albany

Writer: Jessica Metcalf

The Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater is now open to delight and enchant the community of New Albany Village Center. With the open-air theater fusing architecture and landscape, this new performance space at the heart of New Albany’s new village center will connect to Rose Run Park, Market Street, and the New Albany K-12 Learning Campus. The amphitheater is a “sister” performing space to The Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, and will be used by the community, the school district, and surrounding city’s outdoor performing needs.

The Hinson family, the eponym for the amphitheater, generously donated to the New Albany Community Foundation to make the outdoor space a reality. Charlie Hinson was a longtime associate of Limited Brands for 38 years and lived in the home he and his wife built in 1992, with Charleen still residing in their home to this day. The Hinsons, lifelong supporters of the arts, envisioned a space much like The McCoy for resident artist groups to perform outdoors in a prime venue. Charleen hopes to see the amphitheater grow and generate a stronger community in the years to come.

The amphitheater was designed by DLR Group and is being built by Corna Kokosing Construction Company. The dedication of the Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater on August 31, 2021 for the entire community includes remarks and dedication, the first performance on the new stage, food trucks, and activities for all ages.

Following the community grand opening, the New Albany Community Foundation will host a benefit concert on September 23, 2021 - “An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr.” This picnic under the stars performance will benefit the Foundation as guests are treated to dinner with libations while enjoying the swooning voice of Academy Award nominee, Tony, and Grammy Winner Leslie Odom, Jr. As the open-air performance venue offers an intimate theater experience, the event is expected to reach capacity rapidly. For more information, visit newalbanyfoundation.org.