Unscripted: IRT Staff Q&A with Margaret Lehtinen

Margaret Lehtinen, IRT's Manager of Public Operations, has been involved in the Indy arts and volunteer scene for more than a decade, holding positions at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre and volunteering for Indiana Landmarks. She is also this year's recipient of the Richard O. Morris Award, IRT’s exemplary staff member recognition! Learn more about Margaret: 

How long have you worked at the IRT?
4.5 years
 

What does a typical day look like for you? What do you enjoy most about working in your department?
There is no typical day for me, which is why I love my job.  Of course I check my email and messages in the morning, but after that it is always a little different.  On Mondays, I send out emails to all staff alerting them to downtown traffic and what’s happening in the building that week.  If we had a show the night before, I read through the Stage Manager and House Manager reports to find out if there are any Patron concerns or maintenance needed in the building.  If there are any events happening in the building, I make sure we have all the set up information needed and communicate that to all departments.  Basically, I have to make sure our patrons have a good experience from the curb to the curtain. 
 
Do you have a favorite show you’ve seen at the IRT?
ONE!?!?  I cannot possibly pick just one, so here are my top four: Fallen Angels (2012), Boeing, Boeing (2017), Art (2002), and Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” (2019). 
 
Favorite Indy restaurant or place to visit of thing to do?
Excluding IRT, of course.  I live in an old Victorian house downtown and I frequently need historic parts for it.  So I frequently visit Architectural Antiques on 96th Street and Midland Arts and Antiques on Michigan Street downtown.
 
What’s one helpful tip you’d offer someone coming to the IRT for the first time?
Go to dinner AFTER the show.  That way if the restaurant is busy, you don’t have to worry about making it to the show on time.  Also, having dinner after the show gives you time to review, revisit, and savor all of the moments you just witnessed on stage.

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