The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) was founded in 1972 and is the only theatre in Indiana to belong to the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). Currently, the IRT produces seven productions annually for diverse audiences on two stages (the OneAmerica Mainstage, and the Upperstage). The repertoire includes work varying from world premieres to classics. The IRT serves audiences of multiple generations including students from early elementary through twelfth grade. With a significant endowment, the IRT is financially stable and looks forward to many more years of creating art for the Indianapolis community. The IRT leadership, Staff, and Board are committed to building an anti-racist and inclusive Theatre. This commitment is reflected in investments in all Staff/Board training, centering our IDEA work (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access) in our strategic plan, and in growing enthusiasm for the work both in our company culture and the city of Indianapolis. To learn more, visit our website at www.irtlive.com/idea.
MISSION
Rooted in the heart of Indiana, Indiana Repertory Theatre is committed to building a vital, vibrant and informed community through the transformational power of live theatre. The Indiana Repertory Theatre produces inclusive, top quality, professional theatre and community programming to engage, surprise, challenge and entertain members of the whole community.
VISION
The Indiana Repertory Theatre will welcome the whole community, becoming a place of belonging for an ever-expanding audience of all ages and backgrounds seeking meaningful and enjoyable 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 the largest non-profit theatre in the state of Indiana, IRT!s goal is to help make Indiana a dynamic home of cultural expression, economic vitality, and a diverse and engaged citizenry.
COMMITMENT TO CREATING AND SUPPORTING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE
The IRT is committed to building an inclusive, welcoming Theatre that celebrates diversity in all areas of our work. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre field are strongly encouraged to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, transgender, and non-binary candidates.
LAND & BUILDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We want to acknowledge that what we now call Indiana is on the ancestral lands of many indigenous peoples including the Miami, Piankashaw, Wea, Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Delaware, and Shawnee. We pay respects to their elders past and present.
The historic Indiana Theatre was built in 1927, a time when the shameful practice of racial segregation was the standard across the United States. The Indiana Theatre building was originally segregated and at some point in its history this practice ceased. We cannot erase this history.
We honor and respect all those who have faced discrimination and harm in our building. See our full land and building acknowledgments on our website: http://www.irtlive.com/about/land-and-building-acknowledgment
POSITION
With support from IRT!s executive leadership, the Director of Inclusion and Community Partnerships will create and maintain inclusive environments on both sides of the curtain, collaborating with artists, audiences, Staff, and Board. The successful candidate will lead (with the support of Artistic Director, Managing Director, and Associate Artistic Director) IRT!s Staff IDEA committee in guiding company culture, building equitable programming models, and responding to staff concerns as well as liaising with IRT!s Board IDEA Committee. The Director of Inclusion & Community Partnerships will be the primary conduit to outside IDEA consultants, as well as develop and lead annual trainings and new employee orientation to our IDEA work.
The Director will further IRT!s community partnership-making, nurturing relationships with community leaders across identity strata. The Theatre holds key relationships in the Central Indiana community, but there is significant opportunity to grow and diversify these relationships, connecting even more people through partnerships with neighborhoods, corporate affinity groups, and social service organizations. We are seeking a dynamic relationship builder who can help create authentic, reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationships with members of the Indianapolis community who may have been historically excluded but who we are explicitly inviting. The Director of Inclusion and Community Partnerships will ensure these relationships are grounded in earned trust, built with sustainability in mind, and centered on the ways communities want to be welcomed.
Serving on the Senior Staff team and reporting to the Artistic & Managing Directors, this position is a unique combination of community connector and facilitator, who deeply believes in the value of arts and community engagement. Building on existing relationships, the Director will partner with Senior Staff Leadership to implement a range of existing programming and create new, responsive community programming. Similarly, the Director will build on the existing community relationships to extend the reach of IRT!s work further into the community and create greater access.
As IRT continues the work to become an anti-racist, inclusive organization, the Director will work alongside department heads and Senior Staff to identify partnerships with culturally diverse community organizations and individuals. This position joins Senior Leadership in steering all Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) efforts with a commitment from Senior Staff to support and engage in the work.
POSITION FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead IDEA efforts with support and engagement of senior leadership
• Oversee/coordinate IRT’s IDEA staff and Board training with interaction with existing and new trainers
• Oversee IRT’s IDEA staff and Board committees
• Develop and lead IRT’s efforts to diversify staff and Board recruiting
• Oversee IRT’s IDEA staff onboarding
• Develop framework of community partnership models of engagement that responds to the needs of community partners to create unique, inclusive partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
• Continue the growth of the Community Ambassador Program in concert with Associate Artistic Director.
• Devise strategies to engage leaders within key communities.
• Increase partnerships in response to the art on our stages and work with the IRT
• Collaborate with Development Department to share information for funding sources.
• Implement activities to increase participation rates by underrepresented communities with a focus on the following communities: People of Color, LGBTQIA+, People with Disabilities, Under-resourced.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
A competitive candidate will possess:
• A significant background in Community Engagement and Partnerships
• Commitment to growing cross cultural competencies and leading organizational strategies
• Experience leading/creating curriculum for inclusion trainings
• Experience working with diverse communities of adults
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher (or equivalent experience)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Someone who joyfully thrives on developing meaningful community relationships
• Strong written and communication skills; high emotional intelligence
• Strong facilitation and organizational skills
• A passion for social justice and community wellness
• Ability to identify partnership and collaboration opportunities
• Financial management experience
• Ability to speak languages in addition to English is a plus
• Strong skill in Microsoft Suite required; Knowledge of database programs a plus
HEALTH AND SAFETY
• COVID-19 vaccination and proof of vaccination are required for employment at the IRT.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to Benjamin Hanna, Associate Artistic Director, at partnerships@irtlive.com. Please include your full name and the position for which you are applying in the subject line of the email. Applications will be received until Monday August 22, 2022.
