Profile

INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE PROFILE

HISTORY

Since the Indiana Repertory Theatre was founded in 1971, 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-forprofit theatre in the state. Last season, with a shorter production calendar due to the pandemic, we provided more than 85,000 live professional theatre experiences for audiences. These experiences included 34,000 students and teachers from 51 of Indiana’s 92 counties, making the IRT one of the most youth oriented professional theatres in the country. This season, as we find new methods to offer theatre within safety guidelines, a staff of 40 seasonal and year-round employees creates six productions for streaming audiences in Indiana and beyond. Actors, directors, and designers are members of professional stage unions.

PROGRAMS

This year the OneAmerica Season includes six productions from classical to contemporary, including the INclusion Series, which has lead support from the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund.

Young Playwrights in Process The IRT offers Young Playwrights in Process (YPiP), a playwriting contest and workshop for Indiana middle and high school students.

Meet the Artists Virtual pre-show chats offer audiences unique insights into each production. 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 Mainstage, 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 50% 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.

Educational Programs The IRT has a long-time commitment to student audiences. This season, we are sharing our six productions with students virtually. If you are interested in bringing IRT to your students through streaming productions, or hosting a virtual workshop with an artist, please email education@irtlive.com. Auxiliary services include study guides.