A student of an outstanding theater pedagogue Tatyana Soikina, Irina Lepeshenkova came to the Alexandrinsky Theater in 1962. Her first role was Zina in I. Olshvanger’s performance of “Dances on a High Road” by Z. Gerdt and M. Lvovsky (1962).   This performance had a great success with the audience, but a short stage life at the Alexandrinsky Theater. Her next big role of Yevstolia in B. Lavrenytiev’s “Respect Your Father” (1965) brought the actress the well deserved popularity. Starting with the very first days of her work at the theater, her capacity to contribute something personal, unique and distinguishing each particular heroine into any major or episodic role has always been typical for Irina Lepeshenkova. Exquisite organic combination of lyricism with tender comedy style is characteristic for Irina Lepeshenkova’s early work. Critics compared her manner of impersonation with “transparent water-color.” With her transfer to the age-related roles, the actress’s talent revealed from a new, unexpected side: acute character roles and bright theatricality turned out to be very natural to her. Among the first Irina Lepeshenkova’s comedy roles happened to be such different characters as Lusha (“Children of the Sun,” M. Gorky, 1976) and Pompea (“The Green Bird,” C. Gozzi, 1976). The roles of Tanya (“Fruits of Enlightenment,” L. Tolstoy, 1978), Smelskaya (“Talents and Admirers,” A. Ostrovsky, 1980), Anna (“Vassa Zheleznova,” L. Tolstoy, 1983), Pionova (“Pictures of Moscow Life,” A. Ostrovsky, 1993), Juliana (“The Heavenly Juliana,” H. James, 1995), Pelageya Yegorovna (“Poverty is No Vice,” A. Ostrovsky, 1996), Maria Glebovna (“Old Russians,” B. Ratser, 1997), Sofia Ivanovna (“A Comedy of Our Life,” N. Ptushkina, 2001), Khenoveva (“Trees Dye Standing,” A. Kason, 2001), Miss Crowley (“Vanity Fair,” W. Thakeray, 2003), Manefa (“No Man Is Wise at All Times,” A. Ostrovsky), and, no doubt, her self-directed performance “Under the Blue Skies” by A.Pianov  (1990), dedicated to A. Pushkin’s writings, are among the most meaningful jobs of Irina Lepeshenkova. In the forty five years of work, Irina Lepeshenkova performed about 90 roles on the Alexandrinsky Theater’s stage. 

Presently, the actress’s repertoire includes the roles in Valery Fokin’s performances: The Living Corps by L. Tolstoy (2006) and Ksenia. The History of Love by V. Levanov (2009). She is engaged in the group scenes of W.Shakespeare's Hamlet (Director Valery Fokin, 2010).