INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE CELEBRATES INDIANA WITH BICENTENNIAL PRODUCTION FEATURING WORK FROM 30 INDIANA WRITERS

The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) takes part in the celebration of Indiana’s 200th year of statehood with its production of Finding Home: Indiana at 200, on the IRT Upperstage Oct 18 – Nov 13.
 
Finding Home: Indiana at 200 is a collaboration of more than 30 Indiana writers who have come together to create a collage of unique and engaging moments in Indiana’s history that are woven together by songs written and performed by Hoosier singer-songwriter Tim Grimm. 
 
“Tim created the score for Finding Home: Indiana at 200; he was the perfect collaborator because his own version of Hoosier Americana is deeply musical,” said Janet Allen, IRT’s Executive Artistic Director. “Tim and his family are incredible artists who have been working on this product for nearly four years.”
 
The conceptualization of Finding Home: Indiana at 200 began in 2011, while Allen, alongside IRT’s playwright-in-residence James Still, and the Indiana Historical Society’s President John Herbst, explored the creation of a series of plays found, commissioned or produced at the IRT and focused on Indiana's history. 
 
“Our goal was to create commission writing that explores what life is and has been like in this home we call Indiana,” said Allen. “We wanted to create something theatrical and to make a statement about how literary artists and theatre artists respond to place.”
 
And respond they did.

Over 50 artists – fiction writers, poets, journalists, historians and playwrights—were invited to submit their work to be considered for the production. With the help of Indiana’s preeminent historian James Madison, IRT's artistic leadership managed to narrow the selection.
 
“We worked with Mr. Madison to determine what pieces were universally recognizable, Indiana greatest hits, as it were, but also what hidden Indiana stories many patrons would not recognize – but should experience,” said Allen. "The piece isn't meant to be merely historic; it is led by what artists were attracted to, and what captured their imaginations to research and write. Its great artists' unique viewpoints on Hoosier historic moment and biography that animates this significant theatrical event."
 
This original production showcases many notable stories about our home state—from Princess Mishawaka, the daughter of Chief Elkhart, to Madame C.J. Walker, the nation’s first African-American female millionaire. Audience members will journey back in time with Abe Lincoln as he takes his first steps towards becoming a lawyer and with James Dean as he visits his high school drama teacher. Share in the memories of a middle-aged man recalling what it was like going to high school with Ryan White and eavesdrop on a conversation between William Henry Harrison and one of his descendants, eight generations later.  Unique, engaging and rooted in our shared history as Hoosiers, Finding Home: Indiana at 200 is a bicentennial treat for all!
 
 
DETAILS
What: Finding Home: Indiana at 200
When: Oct. 18 – Nov. 13.
Where: IRT Upperstage, 140 W. Washington Street
Run Time: Approximately 2 1/2 hours
Age: Recommended for patrons 7th grade and older
Content advisory: Finding Home: Indiana at 200 is an historical collage that contains dialogue detailing events in Indiana history, including racial and cultural epithets and violence.
Cost: Tickets start at $25

CAST & THE CREATIVE TEAM 
DAVID ALAN ANDERSON
LAUREN BRIGGEMAN
KATIE BURK
MARK GOETZINGER
CONNOR GRIMM
JACKSON GRIMM
TIM GRIMM
AARON KIRBY
JAN LUCAS
MICHAEL JOSEPH MITCHELL
GAIL RASTORFER
KIM STAUNTON
DELANNA STUDI

PETER AMSTER | Director
ROBERT MARK MORGAN | Scenic Design
ANN SHEFFIELD | Costume Design
MICHAEL LINCOLN | Lighting Designer
TIM GRIMM | Songs and Original Music
TODD REISCHMAN | Sound Design
RICHARD J ROBERTS |Assistant Director
 
SPECIAL EVENTS
 
OPENING NIGHT | October 21, performance at 7:30 PM
Join the IRT in celebrating the opening of each production.  After the performance, patrons can explore the stage alongside IRT artists and staff, enjoy appetizers and share a champagne toast with the cast.  

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION | October 28, performance at 7:30 PM
Join IRT artists for a post-show discussion and learn what it takes to bring Finding Home: Indiana at 200 to life on stage.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION | October 22, performance at 5 PM
After this performance, join Indiana’s preeminent historian, James Madison, as he discusses the production in an open Q&A. 
 
POST-SHOW DISCUSSION | October 23, performance at 6PM
After this performance, join Indiana’s preeminent historian, James Madison, as he discusses the production in an open Q&A. 
 
IRTEA TALK | October 30, performance at 2 PM
After this performance, join Indiana historian and Hoosier History Live host Nelson Price as he discusses the production in an open Q&A.  This post-show discussion features cookies and tea.
 
COOKIES & COFFEE | November 3, performance at 2 PM
This delicious matinee performance is paired with cookies & coffee or tea.
 
BACKSTAGE TOUR | November 3, performance at 7:30 PM
After the performance, join IRT staff for an exclusive backstage tour of the Finding Home: Indiana at 200 set. See the details up close and chat with the artists who brought the set designs to life!
 
POST-SHOW DISCUSSION | November 5, performance at 8 PM
Join IRT artists for a post-show discussion and learn what it takes to bring Finding Home: Indiana at 200 to life on stage.
 
POST-SHOW DISCUSSION | November 8, performance at 6:30 PM
After this performance, join Indiana historian and Hoosier History Live host Nelson Price as he discusses the production in an open Q&A.  This post-show discussion features cookies and tea.
 
HAPPY HOUR | November 8, performance at 6:30 PM
Sun King Brewing Company & New Day Craft come together at the IRT to host a Happy Hour you don’t want to miss! Come an hour before the performance to enjoy complimentary samples and snag half-priced drinks from the bar all night long.
 
 
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CALENDAR
 

ABOUT THE IRT
Founded in 1971, the IRT is the largest and leading fully professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and has grown into one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of IRT 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. 

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For more information contact Carolyne Holcomb, Marketing Communications Manager at cholcomb@irtlive.com or 317-916-4824