IRT Program: "This Wonderful Life"

2020-2021 SEASON

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THIS WONDERFUL LIFE

by Steve Murray conceived by Mark Setlock, adapted from the screenplay It’s a Wonderful Life by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, & Jo Swerling

Original artwork by Kyle Ragsdale

STREAMING DECEMBER 1, 2020 – JANUARY 3, 2021 IRTLIVE.COM | 317.635.5252

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Community Engagement That’s Built to Last Building a better future together The spirit of giving is strong at OneAmerica®. A community leader since our inception, we proudly support organizations, like the Indiana Repertory Theatre, that make a difference. OneAmerica is pleased to have further extended our support of the IRT. Our community commitment focuses on strategically investing in education; workforce development; community safety, wellness and success; and community vibrancy.

Visit OneAmerica.com to learn more about our involvement with local nonprofits.

Life Insurance | Retirement | Employee Benefits © 2020 OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc. All rights reserved.

C-34420 11/05/20

Origami model by Brian K. Webb

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE IRT SINCE 1997

At Printing Partners, we look at the bigger picture.

To us, print is more than simply putting ink on paper.

It’s the act of transforming your thoughts, feelings and hard work into something tangible. Similarly, organizations like the Indiana Repertory Theatre aren’t just organizations, but educational journeys to a broadened mindset and an open heart.

And we’re proud to support it.

Offset & Digital Printing • Packaging • Games & Puzzles • Plastic Substrate Printing Mailing Services • Publishing • Signage • Promotional Products • Apparel • Marketing

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APPLAUSE TO A TRUE COMMUNITY CHAMPION ONEAMERICA | 2020-2021 SEASON SPONSOR OneAmerica is proud to support the IRT as one of Central Indiana’s most vibrant institutions. Our relationship reflects one of the longest running sponsorships in professional theater nationwide, and we’re pleased to have further extended our partnership support during these unprecedented times. Enjoy the 2020-2021 season!

—Scott Davison, OneAmerica chairman, president and CEO

Through its community outreach efforts, the Navient Foundation supports organizations and programs that address the root causes which limit financial success for all Americans. The Navient Foundation is proud to support the Indiana Repertory Theatre as the Education Partner for the 2020-2021 Season.

Navient is a leading provider of asset management and business processing solutions to education, healthcare, and government clients at the federal, state, and local levels. Millions of Americans rely on financial support to further their education and improve their lives. We work hard each day to help our customers navigate financial challenges and achieve their goals.

We at Navient have a deep appreciation for the arts and for the hard work, passion, and emotion that go into them, as well as the positive influences the arts have on individuals and their communities. Our employees in central Indiana are proud to support our community through amazing programs like those offered by IRT. Enjoy the show.

OUR MISSION & VISION MISSION

Live theatre connects us to meaningful issues in our lives and has the power to shape the human experience. 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.

VISION

The Indiana Repertory Theatre will be a life-long destination of choice for an ever-expanding audience of all ages and backgrounds seeking enjoyable and meaningful experiences. Using theatre as a springboard for both personal reflection and community discussion, our productions and programs will inspire our neighbors to learn about themselves and others. As an arts leader in the state of Indiana, the IRT's goal is to make Indiana a dynamic home of cultural expression, economic vitality, and a diverse, informed, and engaged citizenry.

AS AN INSTITUTION, WE VALUE...

SUSTAINING A PROFESSIONAL, CREATIVE ATMOSPHERE

• The professional production of plays that provide insight and celebrate human relationships through the unique vision of the playwright • Professional artists of the highest quality working on our stages in an environment that allows them to grow and thrive • Our leadership role in fostering a creative environment where arts, education, corporate, civic, and cultural organizations collaborate to benefit our community PRUDENT STEWARDSHIP OF OUR RESOURCES

• Our public-benefit status, where the focus is on artistic integrity, affordable ticket prices that allow all segments of our community to attend, and community service • Fiscal responsibility and financial security based on achieving a balanced budget • Growing our endowment fund as a resource for future development and to ensure institutional longevity.

INCLUSIVENESS

• The production of plays from a broad range of dramatic literature addressing diverse communities • The involvement of all segments of our community in our activities • Using theatre arts as a primary tool to bring meaning into the lives of our youth, making creativity a component of their education • The employment of artists and staff that celebrates the diversity of the United States

CONTENTS 3............................ Mission & Values 5 �������������������������������������������� Profile 6.....................................Leadership 10 ��������������������������������������������� Staff 12........................Board of Directors 20.....................This Wonderful Life 26............................. Company Bios 28....................................Interview: Rob Johansen 31................................Donor Listing

REVIEWS! FACEBOOK/TWITTER: #irtlive EMAIL: reviews@irtlive.com

CONTACT US IRTLIVE.COM TICKET OFFICE: 317.635.5252 ADMIN OFFICE: 317.635.5277 140 W. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

VIDEO POLICY The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.

HERITAGE AND TRADITION

• Our role as Indiana’s premiere theatre for more than 40 years, recognized by the 107th Indiana General Assembly in 1991 as “Indiana’s Theatre Laureate” • The historic Indiana Theatre as our home, as a cultural landmark, and as a significant contributor to a vital downtown • Our national, state, and local reputation for 40+ years of quality creative work and educational programming • Our board, staff, volunteers, artists, audiences, and donors as essential partners in fulfilling our mission.

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The arts are the glue that holds a community together.

“They’re a key component of our quality of life, and this plate helps me tell that story to everyone I pass by on a daily basis.”

Photography: Courtney Remley Arts Trust License Plate Project: MidZoomers Night Dream, Marion County

www.in.gov/bmv

INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE PROFILE HISTORY Since the Indiana Repertory Theatre was founded in 1971, it has grown into one of the leading regional theatres in the country, as well as one of the top-flight cultural institutions in the city and state. In 1991 Indiana’s General Assembly designated the IRT as “Theatre Laureate” of the state of Indiana. The IRT’s national reputation has been confirmed by prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Lila Wallace–Reader’s Digest Fund, the Theatre Communications Group–Pew Charitable Trusts, the Shubert Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation; and by a Joyce Award from the Joyce Foundation.

The IRT remains the largest fully professional resident not-forprofit theatre in the state. Last season, with a shorter production calendar due to the pandemic, we provided more than 85,000 live professional theatre experiences for audiences. These experiences included 34,000 students and teachers from 51 of Indiana’s 92 counties, making the IRT one of the most youth oriented professional theatres in the country. This season, as we find new methods to offer theatre within safety guidelines, a staff of 40 seasonal and year-round employees creates six productions for streaming audiences in Indiana and beyond.

Actors, directors, and designers are members of professional stage unions.

The IRT’s history has been enacted in two historic downtown theatres. The Athenaeum Turners Building housed the company’s first eight seasons. Since 1980 the IRT has occupied the 1927 Indiana Theatre, which was renovated to contain three performance spaces (OneAmerica Mainstage, Upperstage, and Cabaret) and work spaces, reviving this historic downtown entertainment site.

To keep ticket prices and services affordable for the entire community, the IRT operates as a not-for-profit organization, deriving more than 50% of its operating income from contributions. The Theatre is generously supported by foundations, corporations, and individuals, an investment which recognizes the IRT’s mission-based commitment to serving Central Indiana with top-quality theatrical fare.

PROGRAMS This year the OneAmerica Season includes six productions from classical to contemporary, including the INclusion Series, which has lead support from the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund.

Young Playwrights in Process The IRT offers Young Playwrights in Process (YPiP), a playwriting contest and workshop for Indiana middle and high school students.

Educational Programs The IRT has a long-time commitment to student audiences. This season, we are sharing our six productions with students virtually. If you are interested in bringing IRT to your students through streaming productions, or hosting a virtual workshop with an artist, please email education@irtlive.com. Auxiliary services include study guides.

Meet the Artists Virtual pre-show chats offer audiences unique insights into each production.

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IN HONOR OF FORMER IRT BOARD MEMBER AND COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPIST MARGOT LACY ECCLES, IRT’S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR POSITION HAS BEEN NAMED THE MARGOT LACY ECCLES ARTISTIC DIRECTOR. ESTABLISHED BY M. E. AND KATIE ECCLES, THIS GENEROUS GIFT NAMES AND ENDOWS THE IRT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR POSITION IN PERPETUITY. THIS GIFT WAS MADE TO HONOR BOTH THE LEGACY OF MARGOT ECCLES AND JANET ALLEN’S SIGNIFICANT TENURE AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AS WELL AS THEIR LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP.

LEADERSHIP: JANET ALLEN

Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director

Among the memorable productions she has directed on the IRT’s stages are The Glass Menagerie (1999), Ah! Wilderness (2002), The Drawer Boy (2004), James Still’s The House That Jack Built (2012), To Kill a Mockingbird (2016), Looking Over the President’s Shoulder (2008 & 2017), The Diary of Anne Frank (2011 & 2018) and Morning After Grace (2020).

Creating world-class professional theatre for Central Indiana audiences of all ages has remained a career-long passion for Janet Allen. She began at the IRT in 1980 as the Theatre’s Janet’s leadership skills and community service have been first literary manager—dramaturg. After four years in New recognized by the Network of Women in Business–IBJ’s York City, she returned to serve ten years as associate artistic “Influential Women in Business” Award, a Distinguished director. Named the IRT’s fourth artistic director in 1996, she Hoosier Award conferred by Governor Frank O’Bannon, is now in her 25th season in that role. In January 2020, she Girls Inc.’s Touchstone Award for Arts Leadership, and the was named the Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director.

Indiana Commission on Women’s “Keeper of the Light” Torchbearer Award. She is a proud alum of the Stanley K. During Janet’s tenure, the IRT has significantly diversified Lacy Leadership program (Class XIX) and was a 2013-14 Arts its services to both adults and children, expanded its new Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. She play development programs, and solidified its reputation is a member of two honorary gatherings in the America as a top-flight regional theatre dedicated to diverse Theatre: the College of Fellows of the American Theatre programming and production quality. Janet’s passion for at the John F. Kennedy Center, and the National Theatre nurturing playwrights has led to a fruitful relationship with Conference. In 2017 she was named an Indiana Living James Still, the IRT’s playwright-in-residence for 23 years, Legend by the Indiana Historical Society. and the creation and production of 16 new works—the Indiana Series—that examine Hoosier and Midwestern Janet is a member of the Indianapolis Woman’s Club, the sensibilities (seven of them by James Still). Her collaboration Gathering, and Congregation Beth-El Zedeck. She serves with playwrights has brought the Theatre prestigious on the board of Summit Performance, a small professional grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Joyce Foundation, theatre company that produces work by and about and the Doris Duke Foundation, as well as numerous grants women. She lives in an historic house built in 1855 in the from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Chatham Arch neighborhood with her husband, Joel Grynheim, and a lovely canine mutt. They enjoy following the adventures of their three adult children, who are thriving on various continents.

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Suzanne serves as a member of the board of directors of the League of Resident Theatres, a nationwide association of regional theatres, and she is the associate treasurer of the organization. In 2016, she was honored to serve as a panelist for Shakespeare in American Communities in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

LEADERSHIP: SUZANNE SWEENEY Managing Director

Suzanne is a 22-year veteran of the IRT and is proud to work alongside her mentor and friend, Janet Allen, as co-CEO of the Theatre. Suzanne oversees all of the administrative functions of the organization, including marketing, fundraising, ticket office, house management, finance, human resources, information technology, and building operations.

During her tenure, the Theatre has secured a long-term lease for the building with the City of Indianapolis and renovated the Upperstage Lobby and restrooms. In June 2020 the Theatre surpassed its $18.5 million goal for its Front and Center campaign, raising $20 million.

Suzanne is active in the community, having been the treasurer of Irish Fest for nine years, a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Day Nursery Association (now Early Learning Indiana) for three years, and a past treasurer of IndyFringe.

Suzanne is a graduate of the College of William & Mary (undergraduate) and Indiana University (M.B.A.). She started her career as a CPA; prior to coming to Indianapolis, she worked in finance for more than 10 years, living in such varied locales as Washington, DC; Dallas, Texas; Frankfurt, Germany; Honolulu, Hawaii; and even working for three months in Auckland, New Zealand (where, yes, she went bungee jumping). She is a proud alum of the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Program (Class XXXI). Suzanne lives in Fall Creek Place with her 17-year-old son, Jackson, and their foxhound rescue dog, Gertie, and spends some of her downtime in Palatine, Illinois, with her partner, Todd Wiencek.

Top: DeLanna Studi in the IRT’s 2019 production of And So We Walked: An Artist’s Journey Along the Trail of Tears.

Bottom: The cast of the IRT’s 2020 production of Murder on the Orient Express. Photos by Zach Rosing.

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AS PART OF THE FRONT AND CENTER CAMPAIGN, SARAH & JOHN LECHLEITER GAVE A GIFT TO THE IRT IN HONOR OF JAMES STILL’S LONG-TIME RELATIONSHIP WITH THE IRT, CREATING THE JAMES STILL PLAYWRIGHT-IN-RESIDENCE FUND, WHICH WILL PROVIDE FUTURE SUPPORT FOR THE PLAYWRIGHT-IN-RESIDENCE AS WELL AS THE CREATION OF NEW WORK FOR THE IRT.

LEADERSHIP: JAMES STILL Playwright-in-Residence

During his 23 years as Playwright-in-Residence, IRT audiences have seen all three plays in James’s “Jack Plays” trilogy (The House That Jack Built, Appoggiatura, and Miranda), as well as Looking Over the President’s Shoulder; And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank; Amber Waves; The Little ChooChoo That Thinks She Can; April 4, 1968: Before We Forgot How to Dream; I Love to Eat: Cooking with James Beard; The Velveteen Rabbit; The Heavens Are Hung in Black; Interpreting William; Iron Kisses; The Gentleman from Indiana; Searching for Eden; He Held Me Grand, and The Secret History of the Future. James has directed many productions at the IRT, including Twelve Angry Men, A Doll’s House Part 2, The Originalist, Dial “M” for Murder, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Red, Other Desert Cities, God of Carnage, Becky’s New Car, Rabbit Hole, Doubt, The Immigrant, and Dinner with Friends.

James is a member of the National Theatre Conference in New York, and a Kennedy Center inductee of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. Other honors include the Todd McNerney New Play Prize from the Spoleto Festival, William Inge Festival’s Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, and the Orlin Corey Medallion from the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America. His plays have been nominated

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four times for the Pulitzer Prize, and have been developed at Robert Redford’s Sundance, the New Harmony Project, Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Colorado New Play Summit, the Lark, Launch Pad at UC–Santa Barbara, Telluride Playwright’s Festival, New Visions/New Voices, and Fresh Ink. Three of his plays have received the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, and his work has been produced throughout the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Jack Plays is the 2020 winner for drama of the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. Also in 2020 James wrote the short film A City of Stories commissioned by the New Harmony Project. Current projects include his new plays The Cratchits (in America) commissioned by the IRT, his adaptation of the classic Black Beauty, (A) New World, Dinosaur(s), and new play commissions with Prison Performing Arts (St. Louis) and American Blues (Chicago).

He has recently written dozens of short new plays that are being performed on digital platforms across the country.

James also works in television and film and has been nominated for five Emmys and a Television Critics Association Award; he has twice been a finalist for the Humanitas Prize. He was a producer and head writer for the TLC series PAZ, the head writer for Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear, and writer for the Bill Cosby series Little Bill.

He wrote The Little Bear Movie and The Miffy Movie as well as the feature film The Velocity of Gary. James grew up in Kansas and lives in Los Angeles.

CTC, Ben directed in-house productions and took shows across the globe, as far afield as South Africa; he played a key role in fundraising, management, education, and strategic planning processes; and he helped guide the organization in addressing historical inequities and ensuring that the company’s work reflected the diversity of the local community. Prior to his role at CTC, Ben spent five years in California’s Bay Area, dividing his time between Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Bay Area Children’s Theatre.

LEADERSHIP: BENJAMIN HANNA Associate Artistic Director

Ben is a director, educator, and community engagement specialist whose passion for multigenerational theatre has influenced his work across the country. In all of his myriad roles, Ben is guided by the belief that access to highquality theatre helps build creative, empathetic people and healthy communities.

Ben is thrilled to be in his fourth season at Indiana Repertory Theatre, where he has directed A Christmas Carol (twice), The Little Choo-Choo That Thinks She Can, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!,” and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. As associate artistic director, Ben manages casting both locally and nationally, helps guide education and community programming, and connects IRT to new artists and ideas. Dedicated to actively breaking down historical barriers of access to the theatre, he is excited about IRT’s work to create thoughtful, sustainable Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives.

In his native Minnesota, Ben was honored to serve on the education staff of Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation’s leading African American theatre, where he helped to expand their education and outreach offerings.

His proudest accomplishments during his four years with the company include growing the nationally recognized Summer Institute for Activist Artists into a three-year multidisciplinary social justice theatre training program, developing a multigenerational quilting circle, and helping to create and facilitate a racial equity training program through the company’s RACE workshop series.

Ben holds a degree in theatre arts from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He grew up on a small rural farm and fell in love with theatre at the age of eleven. He continues to create for his new favorite audience: his five nieces and nephews.

Ben joined the IRT leadership team following the completion of a prestigious 18-month Theatre Communications Group Leadership University Award. This highly competitive grant, administered by TCG and funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, supported his artistic associate position at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, the nation’s largest theatre for young audiences. During his tenure at Frankie Bolda and audience members in the IRT’s 2019-2020 production of The Little Choo-Choo That Thinks She Can. Photo by Zach Rosing.

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INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE STAFF EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director​ Janet Allen Managing Director Suzanne Sweeney ADMINISTRATION

Receptionist / Administrative Assistant Seema Juneja ARTISTIC & EDUCATION

Associate Artistic Director Benjamin Hanna Company Manager Hillary Martin Resident Dramaturg Richard J Roberts General Manager Jane Robison Playwright-in-Residence James Still COSTUME SHOP

Draper Erica Anderson Costume Shop Manager Guy Clark Wardrobe Supervisor Bailey Lewis DEVELOPMENT

Development Systems Brady Clark Institutional Giving Manager Eric J. Olson Individual Giving Manager Kay Swank-Herzog Director of Development Jennifer Turner

ELECTRICS

PROPERTIES SHOP

Assistant Master Electrician Kayla Brown Master Electrician Beth A. Nuzum

Properties Manager Geoffrey Ehrendreich Properties Carpenter Madelaine Foster

FINANCE & HR

SCENE SHOP

Assistant Controller Danette Alles Payroll & Benefits Specialist Jennifer Carpenter

Carpenters Lee Edmundson Ariana Sarmiento Fielding Technical Director Chris Fretts Master Carpenter David Sherrill Automation Carpenter Hayley Wenk

MARKETING

Marketing Communications Manager Kerry Barmann Director of Marketing & Sales Danielle M. Dove Graphic Designer Alexis Morin Associate Director of Marketing Elizabeth Petermann PAINT SHOP

SOUND & VIDEO

Audio Engineer Brittany Hayth Resident Sound Designer Todd Mack Reischman

Charge Scenic Artist Claire Dana Scenic Artists Zahra Hakki Jim Schumacher

STAGE MANAGEMENT

PATRON SERVICES

TELESERVICES

Manager of Public Operations Margaret Lehtinen Building Services Dave Melton Ticket Office Manager Kim Reeves Tessitura Administrator Molly Wible Sweets Assistant Ticket Office Manager Eric Wilburn

Group Sales & Teleservices Manager Doug Sims

Production Coordinator Nathan Garrison Production Assistant Rebecca Roeber

PART-TIME STAFF & ASSOCIATES ARTISTIC

ELECTRICS

FINANCE

Teaching Artist Milicent Wright

Katie Johnston

Associates Crowe Horwath LLP External Auditors Legal Counsel Heather Moore

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Celebrating the arts and the joy they bring to life every day.

We’re proud to support the Indiana Repertory Theatre in bringing the arts to life in our community.

Visit us online at www.pnc.com

Š2020 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS CHAIR

SECRETARY

VICE CHAIR & CHAIR ELECT

TREASURER

Nadine Givens PNC Wealth Management

It is incredibly gratifying to serve as chair of our Indiana Repertory Theatre.

The IRT is perhaps even more important to our community and its citizens when we cannot physically be together. I have been deeply moved by the hard work and dedication of our staff, bringing theatre to our audience in these extraordinary times. We are blessed with amazing leadership and talent.

I want to give a special thank you to all of our patrons and partners who supported our successful Front and Center capital campaign, raising $20 million. How critical that will be for the future of our IRT, for generations to come!

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for joining us this season— one which will inspire and entertain.

–Nadine Givens, IRT Board Chair

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Mark Shaffer KPMG LLP

Tammara D. Avant American Electric Power

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Tom Froehle* Faegre Drinker

Andrew Michie OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc.

MEMBERS Allison Barkel Project Lead the Way IRT Offscript Advisory Council Liaison Keith A. Bice Dentons Bingham Greenebaum Amy Burke Butler University Michael P. Dinius Noble Consulting Services, Inc. Laurie Dippold KAR Global, Inc. Daniel C. Emerson* Indianapolis Colts Troy D. Farmer Fifth Third Bank James W. Freeman OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc., Retired Ron Gifford RDG Strategies LLC Bruce Glor J.P. Morgan Christopher Gramling Eli Lilly and Company Ricardo L. Guimarães Dow AgroSciences, Retired

Julian Harrell Faegre Drinker Mike Harrington Eli Lilly and Company, Retired Michael N. Heaton Katz Sapper & Miller Holt Hedrick Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P. Brenda Horn Ice Miller LLP, Retired Rebecca Hutton Leadership Indianapolis Elisha Modisett Kemp Corteva Agriscience Joy Kleinmaier IU Health Jill Lacy The Lacy Foundation Sarah Lechleiter Community Volunteer Alan Mills Barnes & Thornburg LLP Detra Mills Round Room Inc. Michael Moriarty Frost Brown Todd LLC

Brian Payne Central Indiana Community Foundation Lauren Petersen TechPoint Peter Racher Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP Peter N. Reist Oxford Financial Group Susan O. Ringo Community Volunteer Myra C. Selby Ice Miller LLP Mike Simmons Jupiter Peak, LLC Shelly Smith Ernst & Young Susan L. Smith Community Volunteer Amy Waggoner Salesforce L. Alan Whaley Ice Miller LLP, Retired Heather Wilson Frost Brown Todd LLC

BOARD EMERITUS Robert Anker* Rollin Dick Berkley Duck* Dale Duncan* Michael Lee Gradison* (in memoriam) Margie Herald

David Klapper David Kleiman* E. Kirk McKinney Jr. (in memoriam) Richard Morris* (in memoriam) Jane Schlegel*

Wayne Schmidt Jerry Semler* Jack Shaw* William E. Smith III* Eugene R. Tempel*

* Past Board Chairs

THE REPERTORY SOCIETY Exclusive Access and Support

Our role at the IRT is to create stories that invite our community to reflect on our collective history, and the journeys that make up this vibrant place we call home.

We also create stories that offer new perspectives, give us time to laugh or maybe shed a tear, or see something about our shared humanity in a new way.

CONTINUING OUR MISSION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR DONORS. Become a member of our Repertory Society and be part of what makes our city a great artistic community. Donors giving $1,500 or more each season will join this exclusive group and gain access to a slate of benefits created to extend your access to our art and enhance your theatergoing experience.

REPERTORY SOCIETY BENEFITS INCLUDE: Exclusive Special Events, VIP Ticket Concierge, and much much more!

Katie Bradley, Andrew May and Gavin Lawrence in the IRT’s 2020 production of Murder on the Orient Express. Photo by Zach Rosing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO JOIN THE REPERTORY SOCIETY

Contact Kay Swank-Herzog, Individual Giving Manager: kswankherzog@irtlive.com | 317.916.4830

OVATION SOCIETY: READY TO CREATE YOUR OWN LEGACY? The IRT has produced professional, world-class theatre in Indianapolis for nearly 50 years.

You can play a vital role in supporting the next 50 years by making a legacy gift to the Theatre.

Laura T. Fisher and Henry Woronicz in the IRT’s 2020 production of Morning After Grace. Photo by Zach Rosing.

Learn more: irtlive.com/legacy | jturner@irtlive.com | 317.916.4835

EXPLORE ARTS, CULTURE, EVENTS & MORE

INDYARTS.ORG/GUIDE an initiative of

@artscouncilindy Sign up for a weekly, curated list of the city’s best arts and culture events at www.indyarts.org/indyarts-e-news THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS

Shamira Wilson, Lepidoptera (detail), mural / Indianapolis Artsgarden

ART HAPPENS HERE.

OVER 34,000 STUDENTS FROM 51 INDIANA COUNTIES EXPERIENCED LIVE THEATRE AT THE IRT LAST SEASON!

Thanks to the Alan and Linda Cohen Education Fund, thousands of students are able to attend IRT performances. Help us continue to give students the experiences they deserve by donating to the Cohen Education Fund today.

“We greatly appreciate your fund that allowed us to attend the play.”

-An Indiana teacher regarding The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SUPPORTING STUDENT MATINEES, CONTACT: KAY SWANK-HERZOG: KSWANKHERZOG@IRTLIVE.COM | 317.916.4830

Xavier Adams in the IRT’s 2020 production of The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963. Photo by Zach Rosing.

VIRTUAL PACKAGES MAKE THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT!

Give the gift of theatre! Starting at $75, our 6 and 3-Play Virtual Packages are perfect gifts to share this holiday season.

Continue your virtual adventure this season and *apply your purchase of This Wonderful Life to a 6 or 3-Play Virtual Package.

Email ticketoffice@irtlive.com for more details. *6-Play Packages must be purchased by 1/31/21, 3-Play Packages must be purchased by 3/31/21.

BUY NOW! | IRTLIVE.COM/PACKAGES | 317.635.5252

THE CITY'S MOST HILARIOUS FUNDRAISING EVENT!

The cast of the IRT’s 2020 Celebrity Radio Show. Photo by B. Media House.

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 12, 2021

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE

by Steve Murray conceived by Mark Setlock adapted from the screenplay It’s a Wonderful Life

by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, & Jo Swerling

STREAMING DECEMBER 1 – JANUARY 3 ONEAMERICA MAINSTAGE

ARTISTIC

SEASON SPONSOR

Director__________________BENJAMIN HANNA Scenic Designer_____________________ROB KOHARCHIK Costume Designer______________ JUNGHYUN GEORGIA LEE Lighting Designer____________________ XAVIER PIERCE Composer & Sound Designer_______ TODD MACK REISCHMAN Dramaturg______________________RICHARD J ROBERTS Production Coordinator _____________ NATHAN GARRISON

ARTS PARTNERS

SEASON PARTNER

SEASON SUPPORT

REVIEWS!

Share your reviews on social media by tagging us at @irtlive, using #irtlive, or by emailing reviews@irtlive.com

m a k i n g t h e a rts h a p p e n

EDUCATION PARTNER

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THE COMPANY Storyteller_____________________________________________________ROB JOHANSEN

SETTING Bedford Falls, 1945

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This Wonderful Life is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com) This Wonderful Life was originally commissioned and produced by Portland Center Stage, Portland, Oregon.

Filmed by arrangement with SAG-AFTRA New Media Agreement.

Scenic, costume, and lighting designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local 829, IATSE. The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.

Original artwork by Kyle Ragsdale

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FINDING THE WONDERFUL

BY JANET ALLEN, MARGOT LACY ECCLES ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Our platform for making art at the IRT has changed enormously in the past few months. Battling our way through COVID protocol and safety concerns sometimes seems like only the tip of the iceberg. We have an immense need, as a community, to come together and help heal human divisiveness. Stories matter more than ever now. While we can’t literally be together, we can offer storytelling that brings us together, and that’s what we’ve embraced as the best way to keep our mission vibrant and necessary in these challenging times.

To launch our “theatrical storytelling in the time of COVID” series, we have looked into the annals of IRT stage history and American popular culture and plucked out a story that has been celebrated in many different forms. We first produced This Wonderful Life by Steve Murray on the Upperstage in 2008. The play’s title is perhaps ironic in our current time. Some days it’s hard to find what’s wonderful in everyday American life amid a pandemic that separates and frightens us. That’s the same dilemma (without the virus) that George Bailey comes up against in the 1946 film on which the play is based, It’s a Wonderful Life. George can’t see how his life could have meaning. How many of us feel similarly these days?

We picked this play for a variety of reasons: we very much wanted to find a holiday piece that would gather people virtually, if not physically, around the idea of the best of American traditions: rediscovering community, reigniting individual purpose, and reinventing the essence of family celebrations. For many American families, the shared viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life (or its 103-year antecedent, A Christmas Carol ) is the touchstone of the winter holidays. But the piece also brings us into direct contact with another important American ideal central to our country’s debates today: what makes a good person?

What role do we each play in improving our small circle of influence? Is that role limited only to self-interest, or does it ask us to open our hearts to better view how we can help others?

George Bailey develops serious doubts about his own mental health. He experiences frightening economic hardship, a dim view of his family’s future, and the deepest of human disquiets: would his family be better off without him? Against the stark background of a pandemic, these questions feel close to home, as survival

and mental health challenges have taken on deeper and more urgent meaning. As the Storyteller in the play says, “he found his way home again.” Through this pandemic, our concepts of home and safety are redefined almost daily as we struggle with worry about our far-flung family members and when we will see them again.

Thus, a story that asks questions about what is home has real resonance and reverberation. And when George returns home at the end of the play, sweeping his family members into his arms, we all feel deeply his relief, mixed with our own longing for a time we can safely hug our loved ones near and far.

Also central to our decision to reopen with This Wonderful Life was our delightful realization that it could be fully enlivened by one of Indianapolis’s favorite performing artists: Rob Johansen, who has frequently been seen on IRT’s stages and elsewhere around the city. If, as suggested by film historian Stephen Handzo, It’s a Wonderful Life is A Christmas Carol told from Bob Cratchit’s perspective, then we’ve really got the right guy! Rob has played Bob Cratchit 11 times at the IRT and counts it among his favorite roles. Moreover, Rob is perhaps our city’s greatest chameleon. He can morph from character to character in the blink of an eye (an attribute we enjoyed in The Mystery of Irma Vep and The 39 Steps, to name only two!), and it’s clear that he thoroughly enjoys it. Rob has done two other one-person shows for us over the years—Underneath the Lintel in 2006 and After Paul McCartney in 2010—so we’ve been the lucky beneficiaries of his immense skills in this form. We all know that Rob is fully in his element when he can interact directly with an audience, but I’m sure he will find new ways to completely charm us through the lens of WFYI’s cameras, touching our hearts as we sit in our homes enjoying his performance.

We need hope these days. We need radical empathy.

We need to believe that individual lives merit lifting and celebrating. We welcome you to a wild new chapter in IRT’s life!

Left to right, top to bottom: Miranda Troutt and Rob Johansen in the IRT’s 2019 production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The cast of the IRT’s 2018 production of A Christmas Carol. Rob Johansen and Elizabeth Laidlaw in the IRT’s 2016 production of The Three Musketeers. Henry Woronicz and Rob Johansen in the IRT’s 2018 production of Holmes and Watson. Rob Johansen and Marcus Truschinski in the IRT’s 2016 production of The Mystery of Irma Vep. Jennifer Joplin and Rob Johansen in the IRT’s 2020 production of Murder on the Orient Express. Photos by Zach Rosing.

Rob Johansen in the IRT’s 2010 production of After Paul McCartney.

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LEADING WITH OUR HEARTS

BY BENJAMIN HANNA, DIRECTOR

Originally inspired by a holiday card, It’s a Wonderful Life is the most inspirational film of all time, according to the American Film Institute. Watching the film has become a tradition for many families as the weather grows cold and we begin our winter hibernation. But this year things are more than a little different. Many have been in isolation from family for months, and the looming winter feels chillier and darker than the past.

much is still the same. You can feel the energy and hear the laughter of companies past, present, and future in this room. It is wonderful, and it’s inspiring to our invention.

This Wonderful Life shares the virtuosic nature of our beloved Carol—the actor plays numerous roles and packs an epic journey into one delightful evening. Rob Johansen is speaking directly to us. He invites us to remember our responsibility to self and community. For those who have I am writing from our cozy rehearsal room. The four of us— had the pleasure of hearing Rob spin a tale—onstage actor, director, production coordinator, and production or off!—you know this story will be filled with madcap assistant—will be together, masked-up, socially distanced, comedy mixed with sincerity and grace. and isolated for several weeks preparing to film. Among many safety measures, there are elaborate cleaning The great Steven Spielberg sums up this film beautifully: protocols and multiple, repeating COVID tests. We four “Frank Capra led with his heart. His films made it shameful alone are allowed in what is called “Zone A” inside the not to cry in the movies. He celebrated the noblest Theatre. To connect with others, we schedule Zoom impulse of women and men, showed all of us our dark meetings with colleagues who are working on the other side, and then pointed a flashlight at the way out.” I hope side of a wall—or working from home on the other side you receive this play as our holiday card to you all: a sweet of town. A year ago there were more than 25 people in treat for your table, a warm glass of cider, some laughter this room rehearsing for A Christmas Carol, including ten around the fire, and a reminder of how much we need ubiquitous little Cratchits. So much has changed—yet so each other and the power of leading with our hearts.

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The final scene from the film It’s a Wonderful Life.

FRANK CAPRA’S WONDERFUL LIFE Born in 1897 in Sicily, Frank Capra immigrated to California with his family when he was six years old. In high school he discovered theatre and did backstage work.

While studying chemical engineering in college, Capra became interested in literature and poetry and decided to become a writer.

After serving briefly in the Army at the end of World War I, Capra was hired as an extra on a John Ford film.

He began to write shorts for “Our Gang” and other silent film comedians. He got his chance as a director with comedian Harry Langdon, and in 1927 he began directing for Columbia Pictures.

Capra directed more than 50 films during his career.

Among the most memorable are It Happened One Night (1934; Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor [Clark Gable], Best Actress [Claudette Colbert], Best Screenplay [Robert Riskin]), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936, Oscar: Best Director), You Can’t Take It With You (1938; Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), and State of the Union (1948).

Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart working on It’s a Wonderful Life.

During World War II, Capra joined the military and made propaganda films. Capra’s first film after the war was It’s a Wonderful Life. The film was nominated for five Oscars (including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor [James Stewart]), but did not win any. Despite fairly positive reviews, it was not a financial success. Repeated holiday television showings, however, led to the film’s rise in popularity; by the late 1970s, it had become a cultural classic. In 1998, the American Film Institute chose it as number 11 in its list of the top 100 American films.

Frank Capra died in 1991, but he lives on through his films. His work stands out because of its humor, as well as his David-like protagonists who fight against corrupt political bosses and evil-minded industrialists. Capra’s films are criticized by some as too sentimental, but his work aptly represents the conflict between cynicism and idealism. Capra and his most important protagonists, like George Bailey of It’s a Wonderful Life, didn’t always experience the life they expected, but they worked hard and demonstrated the value of the individual and their ability to make a difference and live the American Dream.

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THE COMPANY ROB JOHANSEN | STORYTELLER This Wonderful Life is Rob’s 49th show and his third one-person show at IRT (Underneath the Lintel and After Paul McCartney being the others). Among his favorites are The Grapes of Wrath, The Game’s Afoot, The 39 Steps, Cyrano, The Mystery of Irma Vep, and A Christmas Carol. “While I prefer doing ensemble shows for the sheer comradery, there is a special magic about creating an ensemble from within yourself. Somehow that’s appropriate for this pandemic—making joy from within when you have to. But I am conjuring the energy of all the players I have bounced around on stage with for all these years!” With no live theatre for the last seven months, Rob has shifted his focus towards caring for dogs full time. He has been volunteering at the Humane Society six or seven days a week, and is forever asking the question, “Who is saving who—are we saving the dogs, or are these sweet animals saving us?” Another passion project: Rob, his awesome wife Jen, and IRT sound designers Todd Reischman and Brittany Hayth are producing an audiobook. IRT actor Robert Neal has written an extraordinary novel, Will unto Law. More than 30 local actors have volunteered their talents to play some 60 characters and bring Robert’s book to life. They hope to have completed this epic project by early next year. “I am grateful for these two passions keeping me sane, active, and optimistic during the pandemic. I hope everyone has found good things to engage in during this time. I would like to dedicate this show to the memory of Bryan Fonseca. Bryan loved Christmas (or should I say Xmas!) more than anyone I know—he started listening to Christmas Music in July! And the four Xmas shows I did with him were pure joy. Bryan pushed my boundaries and allowed me to literally fly on stage. I am grateful to you, Bryan, and you are missed.”

STEVE MURRAY | PLAYWRIGHT Steve Murray is an award-winning arts journalist and playwright. His plays, including Hungry to Bed, Rescue & Recovery, Mileage, and This Passion Thing, have been produced internationally. This Wonderful Life became one of the most frequently produced scripts in the country after its premiere at Portland Center Stage in 2005. Murray received a 2010 Tanne Foundation Arts Award. He is critic-in-residence for Art Matters, an arts journalism project organized by the Macon Arts Alliance and Mercer University’s Center for Collaborative Journalism.

MARK SETLOCK | CONCEPTION Mark Setlock collaborated with playwright Steve Murray on This Wonderful Life and has performed in the play many times. He received a Drama Desk nomination and won the 2000 New York Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Solo Performance for Fully Committed, which he helped create with playwright Becky Mode. He was featured in the 1994 workshop and the original Broadway company of Rent. He is a co-writer of Pageant Play with Matthew Wilkas, which premiered in 2008. He attended the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at American Repertory Theater at Harvard University.

BENJAMIN HANNA | DIRECTOR Ben is in his fourth year as associate artistic director at Indiana Repertory Theatre. He is a director, new play developer, educator, and community engagement specialist whose passion for multigenerational theatre has influenced his work across the country with companies such as Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Penumbra Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Steppingstone Theatre, and the Bay Area Children’s Theatre. In all of his myriad roles, Ben is guided by the belief that access to high-quality theatre helps build creative, empathetic people and healthy communities. At the IRT, Ben has directed The Little Choo-Choo That Thinks She Can, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!,” A Christmas Carol, and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. (see full bio on page 9)

ROB KOHARCHIK | SCENIC DESIGNER Rob has designed more than 30 productions for the IRT, including all four Going Solo Festivals and such shows as Murder on the Orient Express, Looking Over the President’s Shoulder (2018 & 2008), Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Mousetrap, On Golden Pond, The Mountaintop, The Miracle Worker, Crime and Punishment, To Kill a Mockingbird (2009), Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet (2004), and The Turn of the Screw. Robert’s regional credits include the Walnut Street Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cleveland Play House, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Weston Playhouse, Geva Theatre, and American Players Theatre. A 2000 and 2011 Arts Council—Lilly Endowment Creative Renewal Fellow, Robert holds an M.F.A. in set design from Boston University and a B.S. in theatre from Ball State. He teaches theatre design at Butler University.

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JUNGHYUN GEORGIA LEE | COSTUME DESIGNER Junghyun has designed scenery for Pipeline and costumes for The Unexpected Guest and both for Twelve Angry Men at the IRT. She is a Korean-born New York–based scenic and costume designer. She has designed for Ma-Yi, Soho Rep, the Play Company, Alley Theatre, the Guthrie Theater, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, PlayMakers Rep, and the Acting Company. She is a member of New Neighborhood, a theatre/TV/music company. She earned her M.F.A. at the Yale School of Drama. junghyungeorgialeedesign.com

XAVIER PIERCE | LIGHTING DESIGNER Xavier has designed Pipeline and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 at the IRT. Other designs include White Noise at the Public; How to Catch Creation, Othello, and Shakespeare in Love at Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Native Gardens, Harvey, and Blithe Spirit at the Guthrie; Smart People and Native Gardens at Arena Stage; The Roommate at Steppenwolf; Angels in America, Parts 1 & 2, and Pride and Prejudice at St. Louis Rep; Nina Simone: Four Women at Seattle Rep; Fun Home at Baltimore Center Stage; Misery at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Noises Off at Syracuse Stage; Fences at Long Wharf Theatre and McCarter Theatre; Peter and the Starcatcher, 4000 Miles, The Mountaintop, and Detroit ‘67 at PlayMakers Rep; Everybody, The Glass Menagerie, black odyssey, and Fences at Cal Shakes; Hamlet and Pippin at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre; Othello at America Repertory Theatre; and many more.

TODD MACK REISCHMAN | COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER This is Todd’s 19th season as resident sound designer at IRT. During the off season his work can be heard with Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, Summer Stock Stage, and in a variety of music projects around town. Todd can both create and describe the ruckus.

RICHARD J ROBERTS | DRAMATURG This is Richard’s 31st season with the IRT, and his 23rd as resident dramaturg. He has also been a dramaturg for the New Harmony Project, Write Now, and the Hotchner Playwriting Festival. He has directed IRT productions of A Christmas Carol (four times), Bridge & Tunnel, The Night Watcher, Neat, Pretty Fire, The Cay, The Giver, The Power of One, and Twelfth Night. Other directing credits include Actors Theatre of Indiana, the Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Edyvean Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Butler University, University of Indianapolis, and Anderson University. Richard studied music at DePauw University and theatre at Indiana University and has been awarded a Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship from the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

NATHAN GARRISON | PRODUCTION COORDINATOR This is Nathan’s 25th season at the IRT. He has also worked with Center Stage in Baltimore, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Brown County Playhouse; and he is a company member with the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company.

ARTIST SPONSORS Thank you to the following IRT Donors who use their generous gift to recognize and celebrate the artists that bring our stories to life.

SUSAN & CHARLIE GOLDEN Season Sponsors of ROB JOHANSEN

MICHAEL DINIUS & JEANNIE REGAN-DINIUS Season Sponsors of NATHAN GARRISON

ACTOR ROB JOHANSEN

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE IS ROB JOHANSEN’S 49TH SHOW AT THE IRT.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTERESTED IN THEATRE? I’m the last of seven kids, so there was always … not a battle for attention, but a clamor for who could make the family laugh. I learned at an early age, when a toilet seat came off in my hand and I came out to show my family and they thought it was hysterical. That was my first sight gag. Then in fourth grade I played Mark Twain, and my big bushy mustache fell off. So that’s why I do shows like Irma Vep and The 39 Steps. I did a couple of musicals in high school, in Westfield, New Jersey, where I grew up. But I didn’t really start acting in earnest until I was 19. I wanted to be a professional hockey player. Right about the time I realized that probably wasn’t going to happen, I auditioned for my first show. I was taking an acting class, on a total lark, because I needed one more class, and it was the only one I could find that would fit into my schedule. This was at Union County College in Cranford, New Jersey. The instructor said we could get extra credit for auditioning. It was Strindberg’s Miss Julie, and he cast me in the male lead, and I freaked out. But I did it. It was one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve ever known—but also exhilarating.

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WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO INDIANA? After I graduated, I got a horrible job in a grocery store, and I was depressed, and every night I dreamed that my teeth were falling out. A former professor suggested I try LA, so I did that for a year. I had a great adventure, but I have a face for theatre, not film. Then somebody turned me on to the idea of graduate school, and scholarships. I ended up with three offers, but I chose IU in Bloomington.

There was something about the Midwest that spoke to me.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE IRT? My last year at IU I competed in the National Society of Arts and Letters competition in Bloomington. And Janet Allen [then IRT’s associate artistic director] happened to be one of the judges. I came out the winner, so I got to go to the national competition. And Libby Appel [then IRT’s artistic director] happened to be one of the judges.

And once again, I was fortunate to win. When I got on the plane to come home to Indianapolis, guess who was my seat mate? Libby and I talked for a good portion of the

flight home, mostly about dogs and family—I don’t think we ever mentioned theatre. It was lovely. As we landed, she said, “Rob, you should come up and audition at the IRT.” Well, I moved to Chicago, and I booked a tour with Boston Chamber Theatre for six months. Right before I left, I auditioned for Janet, and while I was on the road she called and offered me A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the Upperstage. One thing led to another, and I started building a life here.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT THE IRT MEAN TO YOU? Oh man, now you’re gonna get me choked up. It means family. I’m the last of seven kids, and I have 16 nieces and nephews, and I love my family deeply. At one point I was visiting my family back East, and I was seriously considering moving back home. I had just had a relationship end, and I missed my family, and I was feeling a lot of turbulence. I didn’t know what my path should be. Then out of the blue Janet called me and offered me Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Before I could think, the words “I love you” came out of my mouth. Janet gave her big boffo Janet laugh, and she said, “I’ll take that as a yes!” I walked out on the deck and told my family, and they all got up and gave me the biggest group hug.

They came out and spent Thanksgiving with me, and saw opening night—19 of them! That was the first Christmas I ever spent away from my family. But instead, I felt like I spent two months celebrating Christmas with an entire city. There was something epic about that. And my family understood the importance of being in this Theatre that had embraced me so deeply. That really started this feeling that IRT is my family—an extension of my family.

ARE YOU A FAN OF THE MOVIE IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE ?

I feel so grateful and lucky and humble that IRT would ask me to do this. I love It’s a Wonderful Life—which happens to be the first line of the play! My dad introduced it to me when I was probably about nine years old. And I kind of started watching in the middle, so I wasn’t aware that there were angels. When Clarence showed up, my little nine-year-old brain exploded. Then there was this alternate reality, and I didn’t know what was going on.

I got scared of it, but I went along for the ride, and by the end I was exhausted. Then the next time it was on, I saw the beginning, and I was like, “Ooohhhhh!” My favorite memory of the movie: I think I was 19, and I had probably seen it a bazillion times by then. My sister and I are sitting on the couch eating Christmas cookies and watching the movie. We cry, we laugh, we are spent at the end of it. And we change channels, and it’s just starting on another channel, and we’re like, “Yup! We’re watching this damn thing again!” So I’ve always loved it. My family quotes it, we do imitations. When I come home to visit, I walk into the house and exclaim, “Merry Christmas you wonderful Building and Loan!” So yeah, the movie has always been very meaningful to my family, and to me.

I’ve asked myself how George Bailey would have lived during a pandemic—seriously, I have! Regardless of the frustrations, I believe George’s good heart navigates him through his life and always brings him home. So I guess my hope for all of us, especially during this trying time, is to find our inner George—and Mary!—and let them help us make the best of this challenging time.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT DOING A PLAY WITH NO AUDIENCE—JUST A CAMERA? It’s funny, I feel a paradox. On the one hand, I feel an immense ease. I just want this story to fall out of my back pocket. I want to relish this, because in three weeks it’s all done. I don’t get a run of the show. I want to just enjoy the simple storytelling. The other side of it: I feel like I want to carry every performer in Indianapolis with me, because I’m one of the few that gets to do something. I want to take all the audience with me. I have to imagine their response. There are IRT patrons that I’ve developed an amazing friendship with over the years. And I love that. People who come to opening night so they can talk to the actors afterwards. People who I make a point to say, let me know when you’re coming to the show, and I’ll come out to the lobby and talk to you after. I want to spend some time imagining those patrons that will be streaming the show, and have them in my heart as I perform for the camera.

“IRT IS MY FAMILY—AN EXTENSION OF MY FAMILY.” 29

YOU ARE NOW IN BEDFORD FALLS ROB KOHARCHIK | SCENIC DESIGNER The character in this play has a deep passion for the movie It’s A Wonderful Life, so much passion that he is going to reenact the entire movie by himself. The design for this production centers around helping the actor on this journey. While creating the world of the play, it was important to select items that would assist in the storytelling, and help conjure up the places from the movie that so many of us fondly remember.

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Preliminary sketch by scenic designer Rob Koharchik.

THE SUPPORTING CAST

INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE DONORS

WHAT IF YOU SAW ONLY HALF THE PLAY? Ticket revenue covers just half of what it costs to produce world-class professional theatre at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. The IRT gratefully acknowledges the remarkable support we receive from our generous and committed donors whose contributions ensure that the show does go on!

REPERTORY SOCIETY ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GIFTS $1,500+ | JULY 1, 2020 – NOVEMBER 12, 2020 PLAYWRIGHT CIRCLE $10,000+ Bob & Toni Bader David & Jackie Barrett AJ & Erin Bir Scott & Lorraine Davison Michael Dinius & Jeannie Regan-Dinius Nancy & Berkley Duck Dan & Ginny Emerson David & Ann Frick Tom & Jenny Froehle Susan & Charlie Golden Mike & Judy Harrington Phil & Colleen Kenney David I. & Betty Klapper Sarah & John Lechleiter Bill & Susie Macias David & Leslie Morgan Jackie Nytes & Michael O’Brien Mel & Joan Perelman Sue & Bill Ringo Wayne & Susan Schmidt Simmons Family Foundation, a fund of CICF Cynthia & William Smith III David P. Whitman & Donna L. Reynolds DIRECTOR CIRCLE $5,000 – $9,999 A.J. Allen & Kathy Maeglin Leo Bianchi & Jill Panetta Susie & Joel Blum Darcy Kayleen Burthay Gary Denney & Louise Bakker Rollie & Cheri Dick Dr. Brian Dillman & Erin Hedges* Drs. Cherryl & Shelly Friedman The Gaich Family Nadine & Alvin Givens Jeffrey Harrison Tom & Nora Hiatt Ann Hinson Bill & Nancy Hunt Steve & Bev Koepper John & Laura Ludwig

Dod & Laura Michael Mr. & Mrs. Kimball Morris Carl Nelson & Loui Lord Nelson Mr. Stephen Owen Sr. & Dr. Cheryl Torok Owen Ben Pecar & Leslie Thompson Noel & Mary Phillips* In memory of Linda Lantry Drs. Eric Schultze & Marcia Kolvitz Marguerite K. Shepard, M.D. The Michael L. Smith and Susan L. Smith Family Fund, a fund of Hamilton County Community Foundation John & Kathy Vahle Lainie Veenstra Cheryl & Ray Waldman Dr. Christian Wolf & Elaine Holden-Wolf ARTIST CIRCLE $3,000 – $4,999 Dan Bradburn & Jane Robison Mary Findling & John Hurt Dick & Brenda Freije Charles Goad & James Kincannon Donald & Teri Hecht Richard & Elizabeth Holmes Brenda S. Horn Mike & Pegg Kennedy David Kleiman & Susan Jacobs John & Susan Kline Kevin Krulewitch & Rosanne Ammirati* Daniel & Martha Lehman David & Robin Miner Bob & Dale Nagy Dr. & Mr. Nichols N. Clay & Amy McConkey Robbins Jerry & Rosie Semler Mark & Gerri Shaffer Joe & Jill Tanner Gene & Mary Tempel Jeff & Benita Thomasson James & Linda Wesley Pam & Bill Williams Bob & Dana Wilson

PATRON CIRCLE $1,500 – $2,999 David & Mary Allen Janet Allen & Joel Grynheim Anonymous Tammara D. Porter Avant & Jesse Avant Trudy W. Banta Sharon R. Barner Sarah C. Barney Frank & Katrina Basile Keith A. & Heather Bice Benjamin & Ashley Blair Amy Burke Sherry A. Butler Alan & Linda Cohen Diane Conrad James & Kathy Cornelius Cowan & King, LLP Don & Dolly Craft Daniel & Catherine Cunningham Frank & Noreen Deane Dr. Gregory Dedinsky & Dr. Cherri Hobgood Ann & Kenneth Dee Laurie Dippold Paul & Glenda Drew Craig & Marsha Dunkin Neil & Karen Ellerbrook Troy Farmer Drs. Richard & Rebecca Feldman Gary R. & Barrie K. Fisch Janice Fitzgerald Joan M. FitzGibbon Mary L. Forster, M.D. Jim & Julie Freeman Brian & Lorene Furrer Future Keys Foundation Robert & Carrie Gano Mr. Jim Gawne Dorothea & Philip Genetos Kathy & Gene Gentili Prof. Nicholas Georgakopoulos Robert Giannini Ron & Kathy Gifford Marianne Glick & Mike Woods Bruce Glor

Goins Family Fund, a donor-advised fund Christopher & Sheila Gramling Walter & Janet Gross Bill & Phyllis Groth Ricardo & Beatriz Guimarães Derek & Elizabeth Hammond Julian E. Harrell Lisa Harris, M.D.* Michael N. Heaton William & Patricia Hirsch Randolph & Rebecca Horton Rebecca Hutton Nicholas Ide & Audra Baumgartner The Indianapolis Fellows Fund, a fund of The Indianapolis Foundation Patrick & Barbara James Tom & Kathy Jenkins Daniel T. Jensen & Steven Follis Mrs. Janet Johnson Denny & Judi Jones Reed & Elisha Kemp Joy Kleinmaier Gary Knott & Colette Irwin-Knott Kurt & Judy Kroenke Jill & Peter Lacy Dr. & Mrs. Alan Ladd Ed & Ann Ledford Andrew & Lynn Lewis Linebarger Janin Family Fund, a fund of CICF Joe & Deborah Loughrey Barbara MacDougall Donald & Ruth Ann MacPherson David McCaskill & Tammie Nelson Mike & Pat McCrory Sharon R. Merriman Andrew & Amy Michie Douglas & Detra Mills Lawren Mills & Brad Rateike Michael D. Moriarty Stephen & Deanna Nash The Blake Lee and Carolyn Lytle Neubauer Charitable Fund, a fund of Hamilton County Community Foundation 31

THE SUPPORTING CAST

INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE DONORS

REPERTORY SOCIETY CONTINUED ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GIFTS $1,500+ | JULY 1, 2020 – NOVEMBER 12, 2020 PATRON CIRCLE, CONTINUED $1,500 – $2,999 Steve & Debbie Oldham Larry & Louise Paxton The Payne Family Foundation, a fund of CICF Lauren Petersen Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth A. Peterson Dr. & Mrs. Lee Phipps Gail & William Plater Bob & Kathi Postlethwait Phil & Joyce Probst Scott & Susan Putney Peter Racher & Sarah Binford

Michael & Melissa Rawlings Peter & Karen Reist Ken & Debra Renkens Karen & Dick Ristine Mary Frances Rubly & Jerry Hummer Chip & Jane Rutledge Paula F. Santa Charles & Jenny Schalliol Jane W. Schlegel Tom & Barbara Schoellkopf Tim & Karen Seiler Michael & Holly Semler Jack & Karen Shaw Michael Skehan

Shelly M. Smith Cheryl & Bob Sparks Edward & Susann Stahl Sarah Stelzner Ed & Jane Stephenson Robert & Barbara Stevens Jim & Cheryl Strain Kathryn Godwin Stuart, DDS Kay Swank-Herzog & Robert Herzog Suzanne Sweeney & Todd Wiencek Jonathan T. Tempel Jennifer C. Turner Eric van Straten & Karri Emly

Larry & Nancy VanArendonk Bill & Jana Varanka Jennifer & Gary Vigran Amy Waggoner Dr. Rosalind Webb Carol Weiss Emily A. West Alan & Elizabeth Whaley Cliff & Molly Williams Ken & Peggy Williams Heather Wilson John & Margaret Wilson James B. Winner Frederick & Jacquelyn Winters John & Linda Zimmermann

DONOR GUILDS ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GIFTS $300 – $1,499 | JULY 1, 2020 – NOVEMBER 12, 2020 DRAMA GUILD THEATRE GUILD Thecla Gossett The David and Arden Pletzer $750 – $1,499 $300 – $749 Emily F. (Cramer) Hancock* Endowment Fund, a fund of Anonymous (2) Allison & Jeff Ackerman Don & Elizabeth Harmon Hamilton County Community Jesse L. & Carolynne Bobbitt John & Eileen Ahrens* Drs. Meredith & Kathleen Hull Foundation Charlie & Cary Boswell Anonymous George & Dianne Kelley* Dave & Dorian Poole Thomas & Victoria Broadie Mr. & Mrs. J. Burton Black Sunah C Kim Dorantes* Richard & Diane Rhodes Priscilla Gerde Barbara & Christopher Bodem* Rachel Barrett Knight & Richard & Ann Riegner Elizabeth Hansen Robert Cedoz Jacob Knight* Robert & Cynthia Robinson Betsy & Ted Kleinmaier Jeff & Jeni Christoffersen Steven & Mary Koch* Elizabeth Russell Vally Allen and Charley Koehler Brady Clark Dr. Loretta Kroin John Shearin* James LaMonde* Karen Dace* Linda Lough* Dr. Jill Shedd* James & Sara Lootens Fr. Clem Davis* Lyle & Deborah Mannweiler Lillian Smith* James M. McMechan Jeffrey & Barbara Dean Dr. & Mrs. Peter Marcus* Luke Stark* David H. Moore, M.D. & Paul & Carol DeCoursey* Donald & P.J. McCullough Dr. Nenetzin Stoeckle* M. Kristine Beckwith, M.D. Dr. & Mrs. John & Sheryn Ellis R. Keith & Marion Michael Nela Swinehart* John & Carolyn Mutz Sherry Faris Rev. Mary Ann Moman* Steve & Barb Tegarden* Ann Marie L. Ogden Drs. Eric Farmer & Tate Trujillo & John & Beth Murphy Garrett & Elaine Thiel Deb & Greg Perkins Christopher Scott* Sharon & Dan Murphy* Robert & Barbetta True* Roger & Anna Radue Margie Ferguson* Susan & Jim Naus Barbara S. Tully* Thomas & Jill Ristine Kerry Foster Dr. LeeAnne M. Nazer Bill & Ann Walters Richard & Christine Scales Roger & Susan Frick Merrell & Barbara Owen Dorothy Webb Thomas & Teresa Sharp The David T. & E. Jean Fronek Robert M. & Kelli DeMott Park A. Donald & Jeanette Wiles Rosemarie Springer Charitable Fund, a fund of Gary & Pam Pedigo* Prof. Gail F. Williamson John & Deborah Thornburgh Hamilton County Beverly Petsel Reba Boyd Wooden* Carlos Wright* Community Foundation Dixie Platt and Michael Burke Brant & Lorene Wright Peter Furno & Pamela Steed Ms. Robina Zink & Family Todd & Jan Gillespie Charitable Trust Zionsville Physical Therapy*

THE ALAN AND LINDA COHEN EDUCATION FUND Eli Lilly and Company

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TRIBUTE GIFTS IN HONOR OF JANET ALLEN Tom & Nora Hiatt IN HONOR OF JANET, SUZANNE AND THE ENTIRE IRT TEAM Scott & Lorraine Davison

IN LOVING MEMORY OF LINDA LANTRY Ken Qualls

IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL O’BRIEN Marianne Glick & Mike Woods Robin Heldman Patricia Hemmerle Kevin H. Koenig Donald & Ruth Ann MacPherson David & Leslie Morgan

Nancy Petrick Gail & William Plater Emily Schnitker Gene & Mary Tempel Christopher J. Tolzmann Margaret Wehr

OVATION SOCIETY The Ovation Society is an exclusive program that recognizes donors that have made a legacy gift to the IRT. The IRT truly appreciates those individuals whose gift will ensure that the Theatre can continue to provide meaningful and inspirational experiences for future generations of Hoosiers.

Gary Addison Janet Allen & Joel Grynheim Pat & Bob Anker Frank & Katrina Basile Charlie & Cary Boswell Ron & Julia Carpenter John R. Carr (in memoriam) John & Mary Challman Mr & Mrs Thomas & Sue Dapp Nancy Davis & Robert Robinson Rollie & Cheri Dick Nancy & Berkley Duck Dale & Karen Duncan

Jim & Julie Freeman Meg Gammage-Tucker David A. & Dee Garrett (in memoriam) Michael Gradison (in memoriam) Emily F. (Cramer) Hancock Bruce Hetrick & Cheri O’Neill Tom & Nora Hiatt Bill & Nancy Hunt David Kleiman & Susan Jacobs Frank & Jacqueline La Vista

Andra Liepa Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of the U.S. Charitable Gift Trust Barbara MacDougall Donald & Ruth Ann MacPherson Stuart L. Main (in memoriam) Michael R. & Sue Maine Megan McKinney Sharon R. Merriman David & Leslie Morgan Michael D. Moriarty Richard & Lila Morris Mutter Marines—Jim & Carol

Deena J. Nystrom Marcia O’Brien (in memoriam) George & Olive Rhodes (in memoriam) Jane W. Schlegel Michael Skehan Michael Suit (in memoriam) Gene & Mary Tempel Jeff & Benita Thomasson Christopher J. Tolzmann Alan & Elizabeth Whaley John & Margaret Wilson

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GIFTS $300+ | JULY 1, 2020 – NOVEMBER 12, 2020 CORPORATE Corteva Agriscience Navient Foundation of the Delaware Community Foundation OneAmerica Financial Partners Oxford Financial Group, Ltd. PNC Printing Partners

FOUNDATION The Jerry L. and Barbara J. Burris Foundation Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Christel DeHaan Family Foundation The Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund, a fund of CICF The Glick Family Foundation

Lilly Endowment, Inc. Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Memorial Foundation The Penrod Society The Shubert Foundation United Way of Central Indiana’s Nonprofit Restart Program

GOVERNMENT Arts Council of Indianapolis Indiana Arts Commission Indiana Arts Commission, with special thanks to the Arts, Cultural & Destination Marketing Organization Grant Program and the Indiana Arts Emergency Relief Fund National Endowment for the Arts

IN-KIND/TRADE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN GIFTS $300+ | JULY 1, 2020 – NOVEMBER 12, 2020 The Basement

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THE SUPPORTING CAST

INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE DONORS FRONT and CENTER Front and Center is a campaign to support the long-term sustainability of the IRT. It is with deep appreciation that we thank the individuals and organizations who have committed a gift to keep the IRT Front and Center!

Michael & Jennifer Abbott A.J. Allen & Kathy Maeglin Janet Allen & Joel Grynheim Dr. Patrick & Danette Alles Pat & Bob Anker Anonymous (6) Susan & Carl Arvin Tammara D. Porter Avant & Jesse Avant Bob & Toni Bader Kay Jett Baker Charles Bantz & Sandra Petronio Allison Barkel Frank & Katrina Basile Mark Bear Gerald & Moira Berg Leo Bianchi & Jill Panetta Susie & Joel Blum Karry Book & John Hansberry Sheila Barton Bosron & Bill Bosron Dan Bradburn & Jane Robison Amy Burke Brady Clark Mary Beth Claus Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Alan & Linda Cohen The Cohen Family Foundation, Inc. John & Ulla Connor Sammi Coppedge & Joel Weyrauch Don & Dolly Craft Ethan & Anne Craig Daniel & Catherine Cunningham Claire Dana & Chris Fretts Ann & Kenneth Dee Christel DeHaan Family Foundation Gary Denney & Louise Bakker Tom Detmer Mary & Steve DeVoe Rollie & Cheri Dick Michael Dinius & Jeannie Regan-Dinius Jim & Deana Dinsmore Danielle M. Dove Nancy & Berkley Duck Duke Realty Julie Dunigan M.E. & Katie Eccles Geoff Ehrendreich

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Dan & Ginny Emerson Patricia Fansler Troy Farmer Drs. Richard & Rebecca Feldman Jeff & Chery Ferguson Mr. & Mrs. Mark W. Forde Jim & Julie Freeman David & Ann Frick Drs. Cherryl & Shelly Friedman Tom & Jenny Froehle Jan & Rick Fulmer David A. & Dee Garrett (in memoriam) Kathy & Gene Gentili Ron & Kathy Gifford Nadine & Alvin Givens Bruce Glor Susan & Charlie Golden Dave & Mary Lou Gotshall Tom Haas Endowment Fund Benjamin Hanna Mike & Judy Harrington Michael N. Heaton Donald & Teri Hecht Holt Hedrick Aaron Henze Ann Hinson William & Patricia Hirsch Lindsey & Tom Horan Brenda S. Horn Jan Hornaday & Brett Brewer Bill & Nancy Hunt Rebecca Hutton The Indianapolis Fellows Fund, a fund of The Indianapolis Foundation The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate Johnson Grossnickle & Associates Jim & Nancy Kean Michael Kirkmeyer David Kleiman & Susan Jacobs John & Susan Kline Gary Knott & Colette Irwin-Knott Steve & Bev Koepper Kurt & Judy Kroenke Jill & Peter Lacy Lacy Foundation Sarah & John Lechleiter Margaret Lehtinen & Dr. Lawrence Mark Elisabeth Lesem Shelby Lewis

Hugh & Olga Lilienkamp Lilly Endowment, Inc. Linnea’s Lights, LLC John & Laura Ludwig Bill & Susie Macias Michael R. & Sue Maine Hillary Martin & Rudy Bustamante Vince & Kristy Mathews Lauren McDaniel Andrew & Amy Michie Korea Milledge Amber Mills Lawren Mills & Brad Rateike David & Robin Miner Sidney & Sharon Mishkin David & Leslie Morgan Michael D. Moriarty Vicki Murphy Carl Nelson & Loui Lord Nelson Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc. Jackie Nytes & Michael O’Brien Eric & Suzanne Olson OneAmerica Financial Partners The Payne Family Foundation, a fund of CICF Randy D. Pease Ben Pecar & Leslie Thompson Patricia Pelizzari Mel & Joan Perelman Deb & Greg Perkins Jeff Pigeon Scott & Susan Putney Peter & Karen Reist Tony Ren George & Olive Rhodes (in memoriam) Richard & Diane Rhodes Sue & Bill Ringo The Robert S. and Margot L. Eccles Charitable Fund, a fund of CICF Richard J Roberts Kathy Sax Dale & Teresa Schaeffer Dan & Patty Schipp Maggie Barrett Schlake & Joshua Schlake Jane W. Schlegel Wayne & Susan Schmidt Michael & Holly Semler Mark & Gerri Shaffer Jack & Karen Shaw

Simmons Family Foundation, a fund of CICF Doug Sims & Amanda Jackson Michael Skehan Joyce & Steve Smidley Kendra & Andrew Smith Sue & Mike Smith Victoria Smith & Scott Wampler Rosemarie Springer Doshia & John Stewart Dan & Diana Sullivan Martin & Lee Summers Richard & Lois Surber Suzanne Sweeney & Todd Wiencek Randy Talley Gene & Mary Tempel Adam Ternet Jeff & Benita Thomasson Gordon & Mary-Anne Thompson Tony & Jane Tietz Steve & Maria Tilmans Miriam Friedman Towles Dr. & Mrs. James Trippi Jennifer C. Turner John & Kathy Vahle Jennifer & Gary Vigran Amy Waggoner Cheryl & Ray Waldman Dr. Rosalind Webb Carol Weiss Alan & Elizabeth Whaley David P. Whitman & Donna L. Reynolds Heather & Andy Wilson John & Margaret Wilson Terry & Nancy Young Joseph Zielinski & Bethany Lowery

MICHAEL O’BRIEN

FRIEND OF IRT 1952-2020

The IRT lost a dear friend this summer. Michael O’Brien died in June from complications related to esophageal cancer. Michael has long been one of the IRT’s strongest supporters. The company founded by Michael and his brother Joel, Printing Partners, has been the IRT’s official printer for three decades, printing everything from programs and study guides to brochures, posters, bookmarks, and annual reports. Michael and Joel’s generosity through Printing Partners has also included supporting the annual IRT Celebrity Radio Show for more than 20 years. Michael was an active member of the Celebrity Radio Show committee. When the Radio Show was held in the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Michael was always the first person to get on the dance floor and the last person to leave it.

Michael and his wife, Jackie Nytes, have personally supported the IRT as well. They have long been a welcome presence at opening nights. They have been season ticket holders, brought guests, and introduced new people to the theatre. They have used partnerships to bring Girl

Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters to the theatre and to give them behind-the-scenes experiences. Michael and Jackie and their son, Patrick, have often extended their generous hospitality, hosting many events for the IRT at their home.

Michael was always at the ready to make an introduction or phone call, send an email—anything to express his enthusiasm and support for the IRT. But then, Michael was very generous in supporting and connecting many organizations in the community. Printing Partners and Michael’s and Joel’s support have touched many organizations in Central Indiana, and we were one of the lucky beneficiaries of that support.

To Jackie, Patrick, Joel, and all of Michael’s family, friends, and colleagues, we send our deepest sympathy and gratitude.

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