WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS SUMMER AT IRT

Teaching artist Rob Johansen leads an acting class at IRT’s 2016 Summer Conservatory. Photo by Amber Mills.

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the walls of the IRT in the summer when we don’t have performances? The building may seem quiet from the outside, but there is a bustle of activity happening as we prepare to greet audiences with a new season in September. Here are a few of the things happening at the IRT this summer:

BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS
The Indiana Theatre building that we call home is celebrating 90 years this summer. We are marking the occasion with a few improvements:

• Updating the Elevators. This includes replacing the cables and carriages for both elevators. We will have this well underway by the start of the season, but you might see some work happening when you return in September.
• Terracotta Façade Repairs. The terracotta façade is one of the most stunning aspects of our building, and this summer we will be making a few repairs to help maintain the outside face of our beautiful building.
• New lighting grid in the Cabaret Theatre. This non-traditional performance space, where our Exploring Stages production (the production for our youngest theatregoers, ages 3-8 years old) happens, will receive an updated lighting grid which will allow us to achieve even better light design quality and improve safety.
• Mainstage improvements. We are re-leveling the stage in the OneAmerica Mainstage Theatre. This is a process that will make it easier to build and load-in the sets for each show by allowing for more automation in the process.

SUMMER YOUTH WORKSHOPS
Over 70 students, ages 8-18, will take advantage of learning opportunities that immerse them in the world of theatre during June and July. Students will work alongside professional IRT artists.

NEW IRT BOARD CHAIR
Tom Froehle, Chief Operating Partner at Faegre Baker Daniels, assumes the role of IRT Board Chair in July.

JANET ALLEN NAMED LIVING LEGEND BY THE INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
On July 28, we will celebrate with the Indiana Historical Society naming Janet Allen, Executive Artistic Director, a Living Legend.

CASTING AND DESIGN CONFERENCES
The creative teams that bring our productions to life are meeting regarding the concepts for the productions, and auditions and casting are in full swing.

​IRT SHOPS START BUILDING THE FIRST SHOWS OF THE SEASON
The artisans in our IRT production shops will return to the building starting in mid-July to begin working on next season’s productions.