IRT launches $18.5 million campaign to support artistic innovation and sustainability

​Indiana Repertory Theatre launches $18.5 million campaign to support artistic innovation and sustainability
IRT unveils plan to keep theatre and education front and center in Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Ind.— For nearly 50 years, the Indiana Repertory Theatre has served the state of Indiana, welcoming nearly five million people through its doors to entertain, educate, and enlighten. Today, the IRT announced the public phase of its capital campaign, Front and Center, to ensure that these community offerings continue for generations. The campaign, chaired by community leaders Gene Tempel and Sarah and John Lechleiter, has already received $17 million in commitments toward the $18.5 million goal.

The money raised through this campaign will support the immediate needs of the IRT, while also supporting projects for the Theatre’s long-term sustainability and growth in Indianapolis. These investments will allow the IRT to continue its tradition of serving audiences of all ages with high-quality theatre in a meaningful way.

“The biggest purpose of the Front and Center campaign is sustainability. It’s so the IRT will be here in 50–hopefully 100 years–and can continue to make art that matters and changes lives,” Janet Allen, IRT’s Executive Artistic Director said. “There’s never been a more exciting time to be in Central Indiana, and the IRT plays a key role in making our community world-class.”

Focusing on innovation, creativity and reach, the key areas of investment include growing the production schedule in both number and variety for more diverse programming and audience development; outfitting the artisan shops and performance spaces with state-of-the-art technologies; remodeling the Upperstage Lobby to better reflect today’s design and feel; and maintaining the nearly 100-year-old historic building. But the biggest investment the campaign makes is in growing the IRT’s endowment from $12 million to $24 million to ensure the IRT will be producing impactful theatre generation after generation.

“A campaign of this scope has not been done by the IRT in 20 years,” IRT’s Managing Director Suzanne Sweeney said. “As Indiana’s largest professional theatre, the IRT values its role as a community leader, educator and thought-provoking entertainer. We know the impact from Front and Center will strengthen the institution for years to come.” 

Contributions to the campaign will allow the IRT to further invest in the community by using diverse theatre to make Indianapolis a more vibrant place for cultural expression, economic vitality and an informed, engaged citizenry.

“We consider ourselves to be part of the Hoosier narrative, both by sharing Midwestern stories with the world and bringing the world to our hometown stages,” Jennifer C. Turner, Director of Development said. “Through Front and Center, we look forward to playing a vital role in our community’s continued growth.”

The IRT extends a special thank you to Lilly Endowment, Inc., Sarah and John Lechleiter, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Trust, and Rollie and Cheri Dick for their lead gifts of $1 million and above. To help ensure the IRT is front and center in the future of Indianapolis, gifts can be made online or by contacting the IRT Development team. 

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.

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