The Indiana Repertory Theatre announced a $10,000 grant from The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae. The grant makes The Sallie Mae Fund a Student Matinee and Artist in the Classroom sponsor for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which runs April 10 through May 12 on the IRT OneAmerica Stage.
“We believe theatre can be used as a primary tool to bring meaning into the lives of students, making the arts an invaluable component of their education,” said Steven Stolen, managing director at IRT. “This generous gift from The Sallie Mae Fund will allow more Indiana students the opportunity to engage in literature and history through theatre. This is an exciting partnership for us as we continue to introduce live theatre to Indiana students.”
In 2012, the IRT provided 105,472 live professional theater experiences for audiences. These experiences included 41,747 students and teachers from 57 of Indiana’s 92 counties, making the IRT one of the most youth-oriented professional theaters in the country. A staff of more than 100 seasonal and year-round employees creates eight productions exclusively for Indiana audiences. Actors, directors and designers are members of professional stage unions.
“The Sallie Mae Fund is proud to support arts education programs that help students achieve academic goals and contribute to more vibrant communities,” said Jon Kroehler, senior vice president of Sallie Mae at the Fishers office. “With this curricula-linked program, the Indiana Repertory Theatre is building on a strong relationship with teachers and schools to offer a matinee that will resonate with student audiences and enrich their overall education.”