ASK THE ARTIST: AARON KIRBY

Aaron Kirby in IRT's 2018 production of Romeo and Juliet. Photos by Zach Rosing.

Chicago-based actor Aaron Kirby first appeared on the IRT’s stages in 2016’s Finding Home: Indiana at 200. Since then, he has joined us for Romeo and Juliet as Romeo and been part of Indy’s favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol. Aaron will be back for the end of the season in You Can’t Take It With You. We caught up with Aaron to learn more about his artistic experiences and life outside of acting.




​​WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE ROLE TO PLAY? That’s a tough one. One that resonates with me from recent years was getting to play Ken in John Logan’s Red. What’s not to love about getting covered in paint every show, not to mention the compelling story of master and apprentice?

WHAT IS A DREAM ROLE YOU HOPE TO PLAY SOMEDAY? I’d love to play Peter in Rebecca Gilman’s Luna Gale. It’s a part I understudied but never had the opportunity to perform, and I’d love to take a crack at it.

IF YOU WEREN’T AN ACTOR, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? Graphic design and animation are things I truly enjoy! I realize how critical artistic outlets are to my happiness, and those things scratch that itch for me, as well.

IF YOU COULD EAT DINNER WITH ANYONE, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? The answer would have to be my fiancé Emma. She always makes for the very best company.

IF YOU WERE BANISHED TO A DESERTED ISLAND AND COULD BRING ONLY THREE ITEMS WITH YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Banished?! Oh gosh, I’m horrified to think what I did to get banished, but honestly, I’m inclined to believe if my behavior led to a BANISHMENT I likely deserve my punishment, and I will suffer the consequences without any items as my final act of contrition.

WHAT SUPERPOWER DO YOU MOST WISH YOU HAD? To be frank, I’d love the ability to turn back the hands of time to undo this banishment situation. Banished?!

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Our thanks to Aaron for answering our questions for this issue! Is there an IRT artist you would like to see featured or for whom you have a specific question? Drop us a line! Email Lindsey Horan at lhoran@irtlive.com using the subject line Ask the Artist.

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David Alan Anderson and Aaron Kirby in IRT's 2016 production of Finding Home: Indiana at 200.