Lechleiters Pledge Unprecedented Support to IRT
The recently-retired chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) and his wife have made the largest individual gift to the Indiana Repertory Theatre in its history. The $2.5 million donation from John and Sarah Lechleiter will lead to the creation of the James Still Playwright-in-Residence Fund.
It will also ensure the position will be named for Still in perpetuity. Still has served as playwright-in-residence for the last 20 years, which the IRT says makes him one of the longest-tenured playwrights at a location in the country.
Sarah Lechleiter says "James has a unique curiosity and knowledge of current events. He is a consummate listener, a collector of other people’s stories, and with keen analytical skills and imagination, he seamlessly weaves a roadmap that creates a successful and complete theatrical production. He makes us think, laugh, cry and feel; he enriches our lives."
The funds, the IRT says, will ensure "a permanent home in Indianapolis for the next generation of playwrights" and support further parts of the creative process, including commissioning, workshopping or producing new work.
Two Still plays will be produced at the IRT this season. You can connect to more about the donation and additional support received by the IRT by clicking here.