The IRT’s Student Matinee Program exists to support four foundational objectives: to produce quality theatrical experiences for students that relate directly to events, people, and issues studied in school; to offer students, many for the first time, a professional theatre experience; to provide students with opportunities to observe, discuss, and understand unfamiliar experiences, especially those with ethical and multi-cultural themes; and to give teachers effective, creative, and engaging teaching tools. Last season, 3,623 IPS students attended IRT Student Matinee productions. The IRT believes that cost is a large barrier for IPS schools to attend student matinee productions at the Theatre. Therefore, the IRT will raise funds to bring an increased number of IPS students to the Theatre in the 2016-2017 Season.