Indiana Repertory Theatre announces final two productions in virtual season

Indiana Repertory Theatre announces final two productions in virtual season   
​Award-winning James Still play and the next INclusion Series play wrap the year

Indianapolis, Ind.—After months of reimagining its first-ever virtual season, the Indiana Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the final two titles in its 2020–2021 Season: the second play in this year’s INclusion Series, Mrs. Harrison by R. Eric Thomas, followed by the award-winning play by IRT’s Playwright-in-Residence James Still, The House That Jack Built.

“We have spent the last several months working diligently to create a season that is thought-provoking, safe to execute for staff and artists, and worthy of our audiences,” IRT’s Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director Janet Allen said. “This season has been curated to deliver stories that will promote empathy and understanding, as well as hope for the future. The community’s tremendous support has been instrumental as we have developed these productions.”

Streaming May 6 – May 23, R. Eric Thomas’ play Mrs. Harrison will be produced in IRT’s Upperstage Theatre as the second work in the IRT’s INclusion Series. A simmering confrontation, the story follows two women—a Black playwright and a White comedian—reconnecting at their college reunion as they share old memories, although perhaps not completely accurately. Humor and grudges clash in a way that will have audiences asking, who has the right to tell whose story?

The season ends with James Still’s The House That Jack Built, that is part of The Jack Plays trilogy. Janet Allen will direct this award-winning play, which the IRT premiered in 2012. Streaming May 27 – June 13, the witty modern drama will feature several local actor favorites, including Jan Lucas Grimm, Jennifer Johansen, and Constance Macy. Still’s work has won the 2012 Todd McNerney National New Play Prize, and most recently he was named the 2020 Drama Winner in the Indiana Authors Awards powered by Indiana Humanities.

The 2020-2021 Season is generously supported by OneAmerica Financial Partners. Virtual tickets and 3-Play packages are available for the season at irtlive.com or by calling the IRT Ticket Office at 317.635.5252. So far this virtual season, the IRT has produced This Wonderful Life and Tuesdays with Morrie. Up next is PNC presents NO.6 streaming March 11 – April 4, followed by the timeless romance Cyrano streaming April 15 – May 2.


Mrs. Harrison
by R. Eric Thomas
Streaming May 6 – May 23
simmering confrontation
Two women meet at their ten-year college reunion. Aisha is a successful Black playwright. Holly is a struggling White comedian and storyteller. As they dredge up shared memories and past confidences, we begin to wonder—which one is misremembering? Or lying? Or are they both? Wry humor clashes with long-suppressed grudges as this volatile encounter raises the question: who has the right to tell whose story?


The House That Jack Built
by James Still
Streaming May 27 – June 13 
a feast of feelings
Jack is gone, but his family gathers for Thanksgiving. Delicious aromas carry with them painful memories. Flowing wine dislodges hidden resentments. Old stories evoke shared laughter—and silent tears. This award-winning play by the IRT’s own playwright-in-residence returns with all its heart, tenderness, joy, and sorrow, reminding us we must accept the past before we can embrace the present.

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

###
 
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.