From Indianapolis Stages to Oscar Glory: The Rise of Chase Infiniti
Chase Infiniti, the breakout star of Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed film “One Battle After Another,” is experiencing a meteoric rise in Hollywood. Before captivating audiences with her performance, Infiniti honed her craft on the stages of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Early Beginnings in Indianapolis Theater
The 25-year-old actress is a graduate of North Central High School, where she participated in school productions. She further developed her skills with Summer Stock Stage, a local Indianapolis theater group. Her roles with Summer Stock Stage included performances in “Shrek” (2016), “Pippin” (2017), “Urinetown” and “The Secret Garden” (2018), and “Violet” (2019), as well as “Bonnie and Clyde.” Infiniti continued to return to Indianapolis even after beginning her studies at Columbia College in Chicago, appearing in their 2021 production of “Godspell.”
“One Battle After Another” and Oscar Recognition
“One Battle After Another” marked Infiniti’s feature film debut. The film garnered significant acclaim, winning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. During his acceptance speech, director Paul Thomas Anderson singled out Infiniti, calling her “the heart of this movie.” At the 2026 Oscars, Infiniti also presented the award for casting, acknowledging the importance of casting director Cassandra Kulukundis, who “saw something in me that I didn’t even recognize was there.”
A Creative Upbringing and Local Arts Support
Infiniti credits her upbringing in a creative household for fostering her passion for the arts. Her father, Keith, a construction company owner, was previously a jazz drummer, filling their home with music. “I grew up with music constantly playing at home,” Infiniti shared in a 2025 interview. “I was always singing and putting on shows for my parents.”
Inspiring Future Generations
Emily Ristine Holloway, founder and artistic director of Summer Stock Stage, believes Infiniti’s success highlights the potential within the Indianapolis arts community. “People need to realize, like, there are very high-level arts and artists here. It’s just that we don’t have the money around it,” Holloway stated. Infiniti joins a growing number of Summer Stock Stage alumni achieving success on larger stages, including productions like “Hamilton” and “Stranger Things.” Holloway described Infiniti as “made to handle this,” praising her authenticity, work ethic, and integrity.