INDIANAPOLIS — On June 6, the Indiana Repertory Theatre announced its Back to the Future capital campaign as part of a retirement celebration for Janet Allen, the Theatre’s longest-running Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director. The $6 million campaign will support the renaming of the Upperstage Theatre to honor Allen’s legacy and career at the IRT, as well as upgrades to the performance space and will add to the IRT’s endowment.
IRT recently closed its 50th Anniversary Season which celebrated the history of the organization, the hopes for the future, and Allen’s impactful tenure. This year-long celebration culminated in an announcement of the renaming of the Upperstage Theatre, one of the IRT’s three performance spaces and one close to Allen’s heart due to the intimate nature of plays produced in that space. This announcement was a surprise for Allen, and the exact naming of the space will be determined at a later date.
Allen was awarded the esteemed Sagamore of the Wabash from Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb, joining her with presidents, musicians, citizens, and more in being recognized for their great service to the state and Hoosier heritage.
Janet Allen will officially retire at the end of the month, and Benjamin Hanna will become the IRT’s Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director and co-lead the institution with Suzanne Sweeney. To contribute to the campaign and IRT’s next 50 years, gifts can be made by contacting Suzanne Sweeney at ssweeney@irtlive.com.