Indiana Repertory Theatre

The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is a cornerstone of the performing arts in Indianapolis, Indiana, renowned for its contribution to the cultural landscape of the state and the nation. Founded in 1972 by Ben Mordecai, Greg Poggi, and Ed Stern, the IRT has since established itself as one of the leading regional theatres in the United States. In recognition of its significance, the Indiana General Assembly honored the IRT with the title of Theatre Laureate of the state in 1991. With a mission to produce top-quality theatrical performances, the IRT has received national acclaim, securing prestigious grants from organizations such as 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. Additionally, the Joyce Foundation has acknowledged the theatre's excellence with a Joyce Award. As the largest fully professional resident not-for-profit theatre in Indiana, the IRT is dedicated to providing exceptional live theatre experiences, reaching an audience of 100,000 in a typical season. The theatre is particularly focused on youth, serving thousands of students from over half of Indiana's 92 counties, which makes it one of the most youth-oriented professional theatres in the country. The IRT operates out of the historic 1927 Indiana Theatre, which was renovated to house three performance spaces: the OneAmerica Stage, Upperstage, and Cabaret. This renovation revitalized a significant downtown entertainment site and provided the IRT with a permanent home since 1980. Prior to this, the theatre's first eight seasons were held at the Athenaeum Turners Building. To ensure accessibility to all, the IRT functions as a not-for-profit organization, with over 50% of its operating income derived from contributions. This model allows the theatre to keep ticket prices affordable while still offering high-quality services. The generous support from foundations, corporations, and individuals is a testament to the community's recognition of the IRT's commitment to its mission and to serving Central Indiana. The IRT's programming is diverse, featuring the OneAmerica Season with six productions ranging from classical to contemporary works, including the Inclusion Series. The theatre also engages with the community through various initiatives such as the Young Playwrights in Process (YPiP), a contest and workshop for Indiana middle and high school students, and by offering the theatre as a community gathering place for events. Volunteer opportunities, such as ushering, are integral to the IRT's operations, and the theatre offers a range of educational programs, including student matinees, visiting artists in classrooms, and classes for all ages, such as the Summer Conservatory for Youth. The IRT's 50th Anniversary Season is a significant milestone, curated to reflect the theatre's history of diverse and quality productions. This season also marks a leadership transition with the retirement of Janet Allen, the Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director, and the appointment of Benjamin Hanna as the new Artistic Director. Located at 140 W. Washington Street in Indianapolis, the Indiana Repertory Theatre continues to be a beacon for the arts, celebrating the power of storytelling and the communal experience of theatre for 50 years and counting.