The Spell of the Stage

Theatre has a presence in our world, whether you’ve sat in a darkened room with a crowd and watched a performance or you haven’t. Movie musicals like Wicked and La La Land have gained critical acclaim and a foothold in popular culture. Hamilton was the hot topic of conversation when it first took the Broadway world by storm, and most people reading this have probably at least seen a community theatre production or attended their child’s school performance. If you’ve played improv games with your friends, presented a topic to a captive audience, or even sang a song at karaoke night, you’ve participated in theatre art, maybe without even knowing it.

Another aspect that may not immediately come to mind when people think about theatre is its influence. If you’re someone who hasn’t seen a Broadway show, you may think theatre hasn’t influenced you. I’m here to tell you; it has.

The programming, subject matter of shows that are chosen, outreach to communities, and education of local theatre organizations are changing your world in amazing ways. Children who have never seen themselves represented on TV see a character in a play who is going through their struggles or looks just like them. A young woman who is scared to leave her domestic situation is emboldened by the lead in a musical who finds the courage and support system to do just that. A group of Black professionals see their career journey mirrored by a true story represented onstage and embellished with costumes, lights, sound, and spectacle. These experiences remind us that we are human and our experiences are communal. The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) based in Indianapolis is a shining example of how “inclusive, top-quality, professional theatre and community programming” can make a difference in so many ways.

Think back on your childhood and school years. What is your first memory of being exposed to theatre? For me, my mind goes to an elementary production of Anansi the Spider that served both as an opportunity for us kids to put on costumes, put our stage fright aside, and tell our families a story, and for everyone involved to learn about African culture and folklore. Many people cite their first experience with theatre as a school field trip to see a show.

According to Anna Barnett, IRT’s Education Manager, “The Indiana Repertory Theatre welcomes more than 20,000 students and teachers each season to see professional, live theatre through the Christel DeHaan Student Matinee program, with approximately 40% coming from Marion County schools.” Not only do these students see a professional show, they engage in an educational display detailing the technical elements of the performance they just saw as well as a discussion with actors and staff. To top off the experience, students complete a detailed study guide that aligns with state standards and challenges them to further their discussion and research into the world of theatre.

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is devoted to making this an inclusive and accessible experience, offering special pricing to students on the free and reduced lunch program, adjusting shows for sensory needs, and gathering data from teachers and schools to “make sure that the needs of individuals and groups are met”.

The shows students see and the stories the performances tell give students a chance to see humanity in one of its most creative forms and could even inspire them to pursue their own stories. Once they know the possibilities that theatre presents, countless doors open to them.

Students aren’t the only ones bettering themselves through the power of theatre. Creative expression and technical prowess can serve as personal development for anyone working in and around a production. Many people, myself included, get involved in the world of theatre to surround themselves with like-minded people and create a safe space for personal growth and expression. This is part of the reason why the demographic of “theatre people” tends to skew towards marginalized groups; if they don’t see themselves represented in popular media, they can seek out opportunities to create this representation onstage. Devon Ginn, Director of Inclusion & Community Partnerships at Indiana Repertory Theatre, shares that they are “a Black, queer, gender-nonconforming artist, activist, and community builder” whose “lived experiences have instilled in me a deep understanding of the need for spaces that amplify marginalized voices.” Devon works closely with organizations in Indianapolis that have similar missions to ensure that Indiana Repertory Theatre has the most current and diverse options for the shows they produce, the people cast in those shows, and even the people working behind the scenes and in their offices to lend a wide range of perspectives and ideas to the creative process.

The theatre arts serve as a powerful tool for social change and representation, and Indiana Repertory Theatre is dedicated to keeping diversity, equity, and inclusion alive, as well as offering accessible options and partnering with organizations that have the same goals in mind.

The team behind IRT’s productions has cultivated options for providing Audio-Described and American Sign Language (ASL) services by request for any matinee, as well as access seating and an observation room for people with disabilities or sensory needs. This opens so many doors for people who want to attend a professional theatre production, but need accessibility options.

Indiana Repertory Theatre has also made meaningful connections with organizations in the area to further its mission; per Devon Ginn, “Beyond the stage, we have worked with organizations such as Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis, Indiana Youth Group, Indiana Writers Center, Gang Gang Culture, and more and support partnerships that empower asset-limited, income-constrained, employed (ALICE) households who may not have the means to enjoy live theatre.” By fostering these partnerships, Indiana Repertory Theatre can support its initiative of representing Indianapolis’ diverse population and sharing stories that preserve its rich culture.

Artistic Director Benjamin Hanna shares, “I'm incredibly proud to look back over my time at the IRT to see how much we've grown when it comes to our theatre mirroring our community here in Indianapolis and the entire state. I think about the Inclusion Series we started in 2019 that centered on marginalized voices. By 2022, we ended the practice of separating these stories and integrated these pieces as key components in our season. We strive to put together a variety of offerings that represent the vastness of identity here in our city.” As with children seeing themselves represented onstage through the stories IRT chooses, adults who call Indianapolis home can also find meaning and comfort in the representation and cultural heritage preservation of IRT’s programming. Theatre’s reach can be far and wide if the people who organize it are making meaningful choices.

Take a moment in the next few days or weeks to look around at your surroundings and see the influence of theatre that exists in your day-to-day life. Are you having conversations with people about the latest movie musical and the themes it presented, such as Elphaba healing her inner child in the final moments of Wicked? Have you helped your child craft a costume for their school play that teaches them how to apologize for making mistakes? Are you planning a night out with your girls or partner to see a performance that showcases the true story of Nina Simone or puts the human experience at the forefront of the songs they’re singing?

As Cara Hinh, Associate Artistic Director of IRT, so beautifully stated,

Theatre is a place where we examine the stories and narratives we tell about our own lives and the lives of people very different from our own. It is a place where recognition of humanity and the chance to build empathy is at an all-time high. Theatre's influence extends beyond our doors because of that reminder of humanness.

If you’re so inclined (and as you might guess, we are), schedule a night at the Indiana Repertory Theatre to see these ideals represented onstage. Allow a story, music, culture, setting, and light to sweep you away and enchant you. You may find you have a story you want to share with the world.

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Written by Chloe Price