VonnegutFest Kicks Off With Jordan Klepper Honor

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library will present the 2026 Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award to Emmy Award-winning comedian Jordan Klepper on Nov. 7. The ceremony takes place during the organization's signature fundraising gala, known as the Night of Vonnegut, at 7 p.m.

Klepper, a writer, producer, and correspondent for The Daily Show, will receive the honor for his wit and storytelling. The award recognizes individuals whose work reflects the spirit of the Indianapolis native author. This event marks the opening of VonnegutFest, a multi-day celebration of Vonnegut's life and legacy.

The festival runs through the week and includes a diverse lineup of cultural, literary, and community events. Attendees can look forward to author discussions, a live piano performance, and wellness programming. The event also coincides with the release of the 15th annual So It Goes Journal.

A major new addition to the museum is the grand opening of an immersive exhibit called Tralfamadore. This display is based on the novel Slaughterhouse-Five. The exhibit aims to allow visitors to engage with the story in a new way. It joins other offerings designed to celebrate Vonnegut's blend of humor and social commentary.

Local theaters and performance spaces are also busy with new productions and readings during the same period. At the Backlot Theatre, 5635 Bonna Ave., Stagewright Theatrical Company is performing Applewhite from Nov. 6 to Nov. 15. The play is a world premiere written by Alan Keith. It explores the legacy of the 1997 Heaven's Gate UFO cult and the return of the Hale-Bopp comet in a dystopian future.

Southbank Theatre Company is presenting Describe the Night, a play by Rajiv Joseph. The production traces 90 years of Russian history from 1920 to 2010. It follows seven characters connected by history and conspiracy theories. The play won an Obie Award for its exploration of truth and propaganda.

At Butler University, author Ling Ma will speak as part of the Butler Visiting Writers Series on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Ma is the author of the debut novel Severance, which won the Kirkus Prize for Fiction. The event is free and will be held in Shelton Auditorium. Ma was born in Sanming, China, and grew up in Utah and Kansas.

The Africana Repertory Theatre at IU Indianapolis is hosting OnyxFest with a revival of two shows. The program includes 7 Days by Shandrea Funnye Baker and The Hands of Banneker by LIQUE. Both shows are featured in two acts with one ticket. The event aims to deepen the creative work of the past decade of OnyxFest.

Indianapolis Ballet will stage Cinderella, a company premiere choreographed by Victoria Morgan. This is the first of three collaborations with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the 2026-27 season. The production features live music and is intended for audiences of all ages.

Other community events include the inaugural Scandinavian Fest on Nov. 7. The free event runs from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Lille Bønne Community Living Room, 701 E. McCarty St. It will feature music, food, and crafts from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Additionally, the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District is holding a one-night fundraiser to support local cultural programs and public art.