Indiana Repertory Theatre Educational Outreach Records

The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT), of Indianapolis, Indiana, was founded in 1972. They began producing plays in the Athenaeum Turners Building, but in 1980 they moved to the newly renovated Indiana Theatre which was originally built in 1927. This new performance space provided them with a 600 seat proscenium stage theatre, a 300 seat thrust Upperstage, and a 100 seat cabaret. The IRT is the only professional, resident, not-for-profit theatre in the state of Indiana according to their website, http://www.irtlive.com, on March 17, 2016.

Over time the specific titles of education department programs have changed. But regardless of program title, the IRT has consistently offered school audiences matinee performances of classical plays, and plays written for young audiences. Pre- and post-show discussions with artists and study guides are recurring components of this educational outreach. According to a 2003 As You Like It program, later years featured additional programming, such as acting classes and special matinee performances combined with curriculum-based activities. Artistic Director Janet Allen has overseen the growth of the education department during her long-standing tenure at IRT. A May 1996 Indianapolis Monthly profile of Allen notes she began at the IRT in 1980 by overseeing educational programming as their first literary manager and dramaturg; she transitioned to Associate Artistic Director in 1986, and was promoted to Artistic Director in 1996.