Margaret Lehtinen, IRT's Manager of Public Operations, has been involved in the Indy arts and volunteer scene for more than a decade, holding positions at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre and volunteering for Indiana Landmarks. She is also this year's winner of the Richard O. Morris Award, IRT’s exemplary staff member recognition! Learn more about Margaret: 

How long have you worked at the IRT?
4.5 years
 

What does a typical day look like for you? What do you enjoy most about working in your department?
There is no typical day for me, which is why I love my job.  Of course I check my email and messages in the morning, but after that it is always a little different.  On Mondays, I send out emails to all staff alerting them to downtown traffic and what’s happening in the building that week.  If we had a show the night before, I read through the Stage Manager and House Manager reports to find out if there are any Patron concerns or maintenance needed in the building.  If there are any events happening in the building, I make sure we have all the set up information needed and communicate that to all departments.  Basically, I have to make sure our patrons have a good experience from the curb to the curtain. 
 
Do you have a favorite show you’ve seen at the IRT?
ONE!?!?  I cannot possibly pick just one, so here are my top four: Fallen Angels (2012), Boeing, Boeing (2017), Art (2002), and Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” (2019). 
 
Favorite Indy restaurant or place to visit of thing to do?
Excluding IRT, of course.  I live in an old Victorian house downtown and I frequently need historic parts for it.  So I frequently visit Architectural Antiques on 96th Street and Midland Arts and Antiques on Michigan Street downtown.
 
What’s one helpful tip you’d offer someone coming to the IRT for the first time?
Go to dinner AFTER the show.  That way if the restaurant is busy, you don’t have to worry about making it to the show on time.  Also, having dinner after the show gives you time to review, revisit, and savor all of the moments you just witnessed on stage.

Indiana Repertory Theatre elects two new members to Board of Directors
IRT’s Annual Meeting highlights season successes and new board leadership
 
Indianapolis, Ind.—The Indiana Repertory Theatre announced two new members to its Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting on June 20, 2019. Joining the Board for a three-year term are Elisha Lee Modisett Kemp with Corteva Agriscience and Lauren Petersen with TechPoint.

In addition to these two new appointments, the following officers were elected: Nadine Givens with PNC Wealth Management as Chair; Mark Shaffer with KPMG LLP as Vice Chair and Chair-Elect; Tammara D Avant with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP as Secretary; Andrew Michie with OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc. as Treasurer. Tom Froehle with Faegre Baker Daniels remains as Immediate Past Chair.

“We are excited to welcome these two new excellent additions and look forward to another successful season with our Board,” IRT’s Managing Director Suzanne Sweeney said. “Their energy and experience will continue to shape the IRT into a dynamic community leader and resource.”

The IRT’s Board of Directors works closely with Sweeney and Executive Artistic Director Janet Allen and their staff to execute the IRT’s mission of building a vital and vibrant community through producing top-quality, professional theatre and providing experiences that will engage and entertain people throughout their lifetimes.

Board members also serve on the Advisory Council for Offscript: IRT Young Professionals Group. Continuing her responsibilities as Chair and Offscript Liaison to the Board is Heather Brogden, owner of B. Media House. Assisting with the council’s leadership is the newly appointed Vice Chair, Allison M. Barkel with Project Lead the Way.

View a full list of the IRT’s Board of Directors.

For more information contact Kerry Barmann, Marketing Communications Manager at kbarmann@irtlive.com or 317.916.4824

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ABOUT THE IRT
Founded in 1971, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is the largest professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of the Indiana Repertory Theatre is to produce top-quality, professional theatre and related activities, providing experiences that will engage, surprise, challenge, and entertain people throughout their lifetimes, helping us build a vital and vibrant community.