Indiana Repertory Theatre

The Indiana Repertory Theatre has stood as an artistic institution in the state of Indiana for more than 50 years. Within an artistic landscape that has been significantly altered since the pandemic, the Theatre strives to continue as a recognized leader in both inclusive artistry and fiscal responsibility. IRT's artistic and educational programming, ranging from theatrical classics to the most compelling new works, serves audiences from across the state, including school districts in more than 50 Indiana counties each year, an impact unequaled by our Indiana theatrical peers. IRT seeks to provide experiences that will engage, challenge, and entertain ALL of Indiana, a state composed of an ever-changing population of ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures, all with rich histories and dynamic points of view. IRT provides this diverse population with a place where their stories can be presented and shared, where issues of social justice that center on culture and race can be explored. Moreover, the Theatre aims to do more than create a dynamic where these stories are passively viewed onstage - conversations must be held to show how these issues affect our community as a whole, and how action might be taken to find common ground and equitable social advancement. Rooted in the heart of Indiana, IRT is committed to building a vital, vibrant, and informed community through the transformational power of live theatre. IRT produces inclusive, top-quality, professional theatre and community programming to engage, surprise, challenge and entertain members of the whole community. In fulfilling this mission, we have created a rich legacy of more than 300 classic and contemporary productions, ranging from Shakespeare to Shaw to August Wilson. The theatre also has a long-standing commitment to create and present new works, producing 34 world premieres (20 that we commissioned) and four American premieres. Since its founding in 1971, IRT has grown into one of the leading regional theatres in the country, with its national reputation confirmed by prestigious grants from the Joyce Foundation, the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, the Theatre Communications Group-Pew Charitable Trusts, the Shubert Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and multiple awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, totaling more than $640,000. IRT's 22-23 Season marked its 50th season providing live performances and community programming. The season offered seven full productions, including Jane Austen's SENSE AND SENSIBILITY adapted by Jessica Swale; THE CHINESE LADY, by Indianapolis native Lloyd Suh; CHARLES DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted by Tom Haas; FLYIN' WEST, by Pearl Cleage; OEDIPUS, written by Sophocles and adapted by David Daniel; and SHAKESPEARE'S WILL, by Vern Thiessen. The season closed with CLUE, based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin; the figures from the beloved board game are suspects in this farce-meets-thriller adaptation, designed to bring mass audiences into celebration of IRT's legacy and community impact. This production was an enormous success, becoming the highest- grossing non-holiday show in IRT history. IRT productions seek to inspire patrons and utilize the Theatre as a platform that fosters discussions about art, issues, empathy, and equity. We find it crucial to expose audiences to diverse cultures and viewpoints, intentionally inviting and curating civil discourse, sometimes around difficult subjects. One of the most effective strategies that IRT has developed to increase service to the community, with a focus on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA), is the Theatre's expanding Community Ambassador Program. The goal of the program is to ensure that IRT is receiving feedback and guidance from a diverse group of community members about the art it makes. As a producer of culturally specific stories with artists of color celebrating and examining the experience of people of color, the Theatre has a responsibility to ensure that it is responding to and engaging with local communities rather than assuming value or authenticity of text and production. Ambassadors read the plays, respond in a group gathering, and share opportunities, strengths, connections, and potential conflicts within the community. In addition, the group helps to connect historically underrepresented communities to the work and ensure that Community Conversations are peopled with experts, activists, art makers, and local leaders who can speak to the play's connection to Indianapolis and the multiple segments of the population represented.