What began as a family endeavor in Hammond has turned into a venue that is like family for the people involved.

“Beatniks’ 11th Anniversary/Preview Show” on Jan. 19 celebrates the history of Beatniks on Conkey, which was started by Rip and Bonnie Johnson, of Dyer, and their son Isaac Johnson and his wife, Danielle Johnson, of Crown Point.

“The four of us at the beginning founded Beatniks. Since then Isaac and Danielle have three sons so they do not participate as much as they once did because they have a young family,” Rip Johnson said.

“We didn’t know how long it would last and it has far exceeded our expectations. It’s a joy. The reaction from the public has been wonderful. We receive a lot of support through our audiences, people coming to volunteer, actors, directors and people that help. It’s just a neverending stream of people.”

“Beatniks’ 11th Anniversary/Preview Show” also offers a look at what is coming to the coffeehouse and black box theater.

“We’re going to look back at the previous season and reprise some numbers from those shows. Then we’re going to have excerpts from the upcoming season,” Rip Johnson said.

Beatnik Entertainment productions include “The Vagina Monologues” on Feb. 23 and 24, “Dearly Departed” in June, “Communicating Doors” in October, and Beatniks Babes and Boys variety shows in May and at Christmastime.

Beatnik Entertainment also presents the world premiere of “One Helluva Ride: The Bessie Stringfield Story” by Jerry Holt, associate professor of English at Purdue University Northwest in Westville on March 23 and 24. The play stars Joycie Brantley, of Hammond.

“Bessie Stringfield had the distinction of being a young black woman in the 1930s and 1940s who rode across the United States a number of times on her Harley. She fell in love with motorcycles and spent her life riding them,” Rip Johnson said.

Beatniks on Conkey is also home to Hammond Community Theatre, which stages “And the Winner Is” from Feb. 8 to 17, “Ruthless!” from April 5 to 14, a children’s play in summer and a Christmas show to be determined.

The 2019 season at Beatniks on Conkey also features Learn Improv classes with Ron Harlow, host of WJOB-AM’s “Afternoon Fix,” every Monday for eight weeks starting Feb. 4, and Showtime Theatre Productions presenting Khyel S. Roberson’s “Confessions of an Adult Artist” on March 9 and 10.

“Bonnie and I enjoy the activity and the people we get to meet and the new experiences and just the whole aspect of theater. You make really strong friendships when you work so hard on something that you’re doing just for the love of it,” Rip Johnson said.

“We’re always looking for new ideas if somebody wants to try a program or they have an idea for some art form that they want to give.”

Beatniks on Conkey received recognition at the 26th annual Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation Gala in October.

The 2017-18 award winners from Beatniks on Conkey were John Wotkun for lighting design of a play for “Mark of Cain” and Don Taylor, who was among the volunteers of the year.

“We do really try to make everyone from our audience to tech people feel like they’re part of the Beatniks family because there are so many aspects of theater and performance,” Rip Johnson said.

“Just being in the audience is a wonderful contribution to our craft. Without the audience it’s just rehearsal so everyone is a valued member at Beatniks and we’d like to let them know that.”

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.