Performance Network Theatre

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Performance Network Theatre
400px
Address 120 E Huron
Ann Arbor, Michigan
USA
Type black box/proscenium
Capacity 140 seats
Opened 1981
Years active 35
Website
http://www.pntheatre.org

Performance Network Theatre, founded in 1981, was Ann Arbor, Michigan's premiere professional Equity theatre. It produced a wide variety of dramas, classics, comedies, Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winners, many of which were World or Michigan Premieres. Its professional season included five to seven main stage productions. Other programming included seasonal productions that ran in repertory over the holiday season, the Northern Writers' Project—a week-long playwriting intensive, children's programming, the Fireside Festival of New Plays, the Open Table Series, the Open Stage series, music and more.

On December 18, 2015, the Theatre announced that it would close at the conclusion of the year.[1]

Overview

Performance Network was a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that began its tenure in Ann Arbor in 1981. Performance Network became Ann Arbor’s professional theatre in September 1997 and built an elegant theatre in the heart of downtown in September 2000.

Performance Network’s primary stage, the Shure Theater, was an intimate space that seated 139 patrons.

History

David Bernstein and Jim Moran founded the Performance Network Theatre in 1981 as an arts collective. In addition to Bernstein and Moran, active collective members in the playwriting group included Lyn Coffin, Davi Napoleon, Judith Ottmar, Al Sjoerdsma and Rochel Urist. The theatre evolved into a nonprofit corporation in the mid-eighties. After the departure of the original founders, the organization continued to produce and present experimental, original and socially relevant work under the cooperative direction of Linda Kendall, Annemarie Stoll, Johanna Broughton, (and in time, Peter Knox). Eventually, the early 90's saw departures from the artistic staff leave the artistic direction in the hands of Johanna Broughton, who (along with her husband Dan Walker) led the theatre from the 'Warehouse Years' to professional status and in 2000 moved it from Ann Arbor's Washington Street location to the corner of 4th and Huron, near the Kerrytown district. In 1997, Performance Network secured a contract with Actors’ Equity and established itself as Ann Arbor’s professional theatre. In doing so, it was able to

  • Increase the reputation of the Network by placing it in a higher tier of theatres nationally
  • Gain access to plays of nationally recognized merit, unavailable to community theatres
  • Increase artistic quality by hiring more experienced actors, directors, and designers
  • Gain listing in respected theatrical publications and presentation by participating in the Michigan Equity Theatre Alliance, the National New Play Network, and Theatre Communication Group
  • Expand the audience base by gaining press coverage in Southeastern Michigan publications.

In 2003, direction of the theatre was turned over to Carla Milarch and David Wolber. Under Milarch and Wolber, Performance Network excelled at choosing a wide range of artistically challenging shows and began receiving multiple awards for artistic quality. In order to continue producing high quality work Milarch decided to join Wolber in the Artistic department. In recent years, the company experienced budget shortfalls. In 2012, Performance Network switched to a dual leadership structure and hired Erin Sabo to partner with Wolber. In May 2014, the Board of Directors suspended all operations, as the theater did not have resources to pay its staff, actors and vendors in a timely manner, and to make debt payments.[2] In July 2014, the Board announced that the theatre would reopen under the management of local actor-directors John Manfredi and Suzi Regan.[3][4] Under the new management team, the Network has whittled down the existing debt by approximately $150,000 with $200,000 left to go. Manfredi and Regan produced one and a half seasons. Despite excellent reviews for some of the productions,[5] both ticket sales and donations dropped precipitously.[6] In October 2015, the theatre announced that unless it could raise $50,000 before Thanksgiving, it would need to close its doors permanently. The funding campaign failed to reach its goal. In December, the staff and Board of Directors announced that the theatre company was no longer sustainable.[7]

Programs

Professional Season

The professional season included classic and contemporary plays under a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors’ Equity Association. Performance Network strived to include a classic play, musical, and world premiere in each season. The season began in the fall and ran a full year.

Patrons could purchase a subscription to the professional season that gives them tickets at a discounted rate. Alternatively, patrons could purchase “Flex Tickets” or anytime tickets to use in any combination for any number of shows they pleased over the course of the season.

Apprenticeships and Internships

Performance Network’s Apprenticeship program offered an intensive year-long paid position. The apprenticeship offered hands-on training in the areas of stage management, house management, development, marketing, and technical theatre. Apprentices developed a well-rounded experience in all aspects of theatre management.

Internships provided applicants a comprehensive experience in all elements of professional theatre, including box office, house management, and technical and clerical skills. Unlike the apprenticeship, which allowed apprentices to experience multiple areas of theatre, interns selected which field they would like to focus on.

Staff, Board of Directors, and Associate Artists

In the Theatre's final 18 months, its staff members included:

  • John Manfredi, Executive Director
  • Suzi Regan, Artistic Director
  • Sara Dean, Company Manager
  • Meghan Bortle, Apprentice
  • Melissa Mercieca, Apprentice

Past staff members include:

  • Erin Sabo, Managing Director
  • David Wolber, Artistic Director
  • Carla Milarch, Associate Artistic Director
  • Logan Ricket, Associate Development Director
  • Joshua Parker, Technical Director
  • Jennifer Pan, Assistant Technical Director & Graphic Designer
  • Becky Fox, Director of Outreach and Education
  • Anna Simmons, Company Manager & Resident Stage Manager
  • Dayne White Bull, Marketing Assistant
  • Justin Dietzel, Apprentice
  • Eric Hohnke, Apprentice
  • Jahmeel Powers, Apprentice
  • Derek Ridge, Apprentice

Board of Directors

  • Ron Maurer, President
  • Mary Avrakotos, Treasurer
  • Tom DeZure, Vice-President
  • Steve Gerber, Secretary
  • Ed Abbott
  • Barbara Bach
  • Norman Bash
  • Heather Bell
  • Gene Dickirson
  • Hanna Goodstein
  • Terry Heck
  • David Herzig
  • Steve Klein
  • Jessica Litman
  • Sheila Sasser
  • Phil Stoffregen

Associate Artists

Recent shows

The 2015-2016 season

  • Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee
  • Constellations by Nick Payne [cancelled]
  • The Othello Principle adapted by James Bowen and John Manfredi (canceled)
  • Summer Retreat by Annie Martin (canceled)
  • Pulp by Joseph Zettelmaier (canceled)

--Holiday Shows:

  • Why Not Me? A Sammy Davis Jr. Story by Tim Rhoze
  • Dickens: An A Capella Carol by Charles Dickens

The 2014-2015 season[8]

The 2013-2014 season

The 2012-2013 Season

The 2011-2012 season:

The 2010-2011 season:

The 2009-2010 season:

The 2008-2009 season:

The 2007-2008 season:

The 2006-2007 season:

Affiliations

Performance Network Theatre was a member of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG),[14] the National New Play Network (NNPN),[15] Americans for the Arts,[16] the Cultural Alliance of Southeast Michigan (CASM),[17] the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau (AACVB),[18] and the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce.[19] The Theatre’s activities are supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs,[20] and the National Endowment for the Arts. Their most recent affiliation was with the Blue Stone Theatre.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ After 34 years, Performance Network Theatre will close its doors, mlive.com, December 18, 2015
  2. ↑ Ann Arbor Chronicle, June 6, 2014
  3. ↑ Detroit Free Press, July 16, 2014
  4. ↑ http://annarborobserver.com/articles/backstage_drama_full_article.html
  5. ↑ Theater review: Performance Network's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' is a must-see, mLive,October 10, 2015 ; Stage vets soar in Performance Network's 'Virginia Woolf', Detroit Free Press, October 14, 2015
  6. ↑ Crains Detroit, December 21, 2015
  7. ↑ Detroit Free Press December 18, 2015
  8. ↑ Encore Michigan July 23, 2014
  9. ↑ The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead Review - AnnArbor.com
  10. ↑ Christmas Carol'd Review - AnnArbor.com
  11. ↑ K2 Review - Detroit News
  12. ↑ Williamston Theatre's Mars page
  13. ↑ Fences Review - Detroit News
  14. ↑ [1]
  15. ↑ National New Play Network website
  16. ↑ Americans for the Arts website
  17. ↑ CASM website
  18. ↑ AACVB website
  19. ↑ Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce website
  20. ↑ MCACA website

External links

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