For Immediate Release
may 11, 2015
IRT's JANET ALLEN INDUCTED INTO COLLEGE OF FELLOWS OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE
Indianapolis—Indiana Repertory Theatre’s Executive Artist Director, Janet Allen has been inducted into the College of Fellows of the America Theatre.
Through this induction, Allen will join peer fellows who meet annually to discuss the continued development and ongoing success of the theatre profession, as well as award one scholarship to an outstanding high school senior who plans to pursue a professional theatre career.
Membership in the College is conferred on individuals of acknowledged national stature who have distinguished themselves during their careers for notable dedication, exceptional service and outstanding achievement.
Fewer than ten new Fellows are created each year; just over 200 persons have been so honored to date.
“There is some very good company in the College of Fellows, including artistic directors, renowned playwrights, directors and designers,” said Allen of her award. “I was able to meet a number of fellows whose careers are truly exemplary. I feel especially honored to be inducted into this prestigious group.”
To be inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, recipients must be nominated by two sitting Fellows. Allen was nominated by IRT’s playwright-in-residence, James Still, former IRT Associate Artistic Director and Fellow Ben Cameron and Dorothy Webb, retired professor emerita of theatre at IUPUI and founder of the biennial Bonderman /IRT National Playwriting Workshop and Symposium for scripts for young audiences.
“Janet has cultivated and diversified the IRT’s educational services to both adults and children, expanded its new play development programs, and solidified its reputation as a top-flight regional theater,” said Webb. “Since becoming the IRT’s artistic leader, Janet has produced nearly 200 productions on all three stages in the historic 1927 Indiana Repertory Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.”
Still, playwright-in-residence for nearly 17 years, confirms Allen’s graceful and unflagging enthusiastic leadership that make meaning for and with the Indianapolis community for nearly 20 seasons, the longest leadership tenure in the 43-year history of the IRT.
Allen holds a B.A. in theatre from Illinois State, a master’s degree in theater history and dramatic literature from Indiana University, and a certification in Angle-Irish drama from Exeter College, Oxford, England. She has been recognized by Indianapolis Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Award in 1993, the Network of Women in Business – IBJ’s 1999 “Influential Women in Business” Award, Safeco’s 2000 Beacon of Light in Our Community Award, a Distinguished Hoosier Award conferred in 2001 by Governor Frank O’Bannon, Girls Inc.’s 2004 Touchstone Award for Arts Leadership, and the Indiana Commission on Women’s “Keeper of the Light” 2009 Torchbearer Award. She is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership program (Class XIX) and the Shannon Leadership Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Founded in 1965, The College of Fellows is an honorary society of outstanding theatre educators and professional theatre practitioners. Its membership includes Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights; Tony Award-winning actors, directors, and designers; artistic directors of Tony Award-winning theatres; administrators and artists from major regional theatres; academic administrators of distinguished theatre programs; and eminent scholars of both the theory and practice of theatre.
For more information regarding Allen’s nomination into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre contact Carolyne Holcomb, Marketing Communications Manager at 317-916-4824 or cholcomb@irtlive.com.
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