Indianapolis Theater Roots Propel Chase Infiniti to ‘One Battle After Another’ Role
Director Paul Thomas Anderson singled out Chase Infiniti during his Best Picture acceptance speech at the Oscars. The film won six Academy Awards this month, and Infiniti was called the emotional center of the work.
Local theater roots
Infiniti grew up performing around Indianapolis. She graduated from North Central High School and appeared in many school productions.
She later enrolled at Columbia College in Chicago. She kept returning to Indianapolis to act with Summer Stock Stage.
Summer Stock Stage credits
- 2016 — Bonnie and Clyde; Shrek.
- 2017 — Pippin.
- 2018 — Urinetown; The Secret Garden.
- 2019 — Violet.
- 2021 — Godspell with her home theater group.
Family and early influence
Infiniti says she was raised in a creative household. Her father, Keith, introduced her to music and performance.
Keith runs a construction company in Indianapolis. He also played drums in a jazz band earlier in his life.
From community stages to the big screen
“One Battle After Another” was Infiniti’s first feature film. She presented the Oscars’ new casting award category this year.
She publicly thanked casting director Cassandra Kulukundis. Kulukundis spent years searching for an actress to play Willa.
Casting and confidence
Infiniti said the casting director saw qualities she had not yet recognized. That support helped her grow into the role.
Local leaders weigh in
Emily Ristine Holloway founded Summer Stock Stage. She praised Infiniti’s authenticity, integrity, and tireless work ethic.
Holloway noted Indianapolis lacks the arts funding of larger cities. She urged people to seek out the city’s high-level arts offerings.
Alumni success
Infiniti joins a roster of Summer Stock Stage alumni who moved to major projects. The list includes performers who later joined Hamilton and Stranger Things.
Chase Infiniti credits her Indianapolis theater roots with helping propel her to the role in the film “One Battle After Another”. Her path shows how community theater can lead to national recognition.
Farrah Anderson is an investigative health reporter with Filmogaz.com. Follow her on X at @farrahsoa or email [email protected].
