Production History
Since the Indiana Repertory Theatre was founded in 1972, it has grown into one of the leading regional theatres in the country, as well as one of the top-flight cultural institutions in the city and state. In 1991 Indiana’s General Assembly designated the IRT as “Theatre Laureate” of the state of Indiana. The IRT’s national reputation has been confirmed by prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Lila Wallace–Reader’s Digest Fund, the Theatre Communications Group–Pew Charitable Trusts, the Shubert Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation, and by a Joyce Award from the Joyce Foundation.
The IRT remains the largest fully professional resident not-for-profit theatre in the state, providing 110,000 live professional theatre experiences for its audience last season. These experiences included 40,000 students and teachers from 54 of Indiana’s 92 counties, making the IRT one of the most youth-oriented professional theatres in the country. A staff of more than 100 seasonal and year-round employees creates nine productions exclusively for Indiana audiences. Actors, directors, and designers are members of professional stage unions.
The IRT’s history has been enacted in two historic downtown theatres. The Athenaeum Turners Building housed the company’s first eight seasons. Since 1980 the IRT has occupied the 1927 Indiana Theatre, which was renovated to contain three performance spaces (OneAmerica Stage, Upperstage, and Cabaret) and work spaces, reviving this historic downtown entertainment site.
To keep ticket prices and services affordable for the entire community, the IRT operates as a not-for-profit organization, deriving more than 45% of its operating income from contributions. The theatre is generously supported by foundations, corporations, and individuals, an investment which recognizes the IRT’s mission-based commitment to serving Central Indiana with top-quality theatrical fare.
PROGRAMS
- The OneAmerica Season includes nine diverse productions from classical and contemporary repertoires, including Eli Lilly and Company presents A Christmas Carol and the world premiere of James Still's April 4, 1968: Before We Forgot How to Dream.
- New Play Development The IRT offers Write Now, a prestigious national workshop for adult playwrights writing for young audiences; and Young Playwrights in Process (YPiP), a playwriting contest and workshop for Indiana high school and junior high students.
- Community Gathering Place Located in a beautiful historic landmark, the IRT offers a wide variety of unique and adaptable spaces for family, business, and community gatherings of all types. Please email Margaret Lehtinen, Manager of Public Operations at mlehtinen@irtlive.com or call 317.916.4880 for more information.
- Volunteer Opportunities The IRT depends on the generous donation of time and energy by volunteers; please email Erin Brown, House Manager at ebrown@irtlive.com or call 317.916.4872 to learn how you can become involved.
- Meet the Artists Regularly scheduled pre-show chats, post-show discussions, and backstage tours offer audiences unique insights into each production.
- Student Matinees The IRT continues a long-time commitment to student audiences with school-day student matinee performances of all IRT productions. These performances are augmented with educational activities and curriculum support materials. This season Eli Lilly and Company presents A Christmas Carol, Peter Rabbit and Me, and To Kill a Mockingbird offer extensive opportunities for student attendance.
- Educational Programs Auxiliary services offered include visiting artists in the classroom, study guides, pre- and post-show discussions, and guided tours of the IRT’s facilities.
- Classes From creative dramatics to audition workshops to Shakespeare seminars, the IRT offers a wide array of personal learning opportunities for all ages, including our Summer Conservatory for Youth. Call 317.916.4842 for further information.
