Performance Network Theatre

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Address120 E Huron
Ann Arbor, Michigan
USA
Typeblack box/proscenium
Capacity140 seats
Opened1981
Performance Network Theatre
Address120 E Huron
Ann Arbor, Michigan
USA
Typeblack box/proscenium
Capacity140 seats
Construction
Opened1981
Closed2015
Years active35

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] [2]

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 1990s saw departures from the artistic staff leave the artistic direction in the hands of Johanna Broughton, who (with her husband Dan Walker, along with Carla Milarch and David Wolber) 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 Milarch and 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 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.[3] In July 2014, the Board announced that the theatre would reopen under the management of local actor-directors John Manfredi and Suzi Regan.[4][5] Under the new management team, the Network produced one and a half seasons. Despite excellent reviews for some of the productions,[6] both ticket sales and donations dropped precipitously.[7] 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.[8]

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

Production history

The 2015–2016 season (Suzi Regan, artistic director)

The 2014–2015 season[9] (Suzi Regan, artistic director)

The 2013–2014 season: (David Wolber, artistic director)

The 2012–2013 Season: (David Wolber, artistic director)

The 2011–2012 season: (David Wolber, artistic director)

The 2010–2011 season: (David Wolber, artistic director)

The 2009–2010 season: (David Wolber, artistic director)

The 2008–2009 season: (David Wolber, artistic director)

The 2007–2008 season: (Carla Milarch/David Wolber, artistic director)

The 2006–2007 season: (Carla Milarch, artistic director)

The 2005–2006 season: (Carla Milarch, artistic director)

The 2004–2005 Season: (Carla Milarch, artistic director)

  • Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones (September–October 2004)
  • She Loves Me by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, music by Jerry Bock (November–December 2004)
  • Boston Marriage by David Mamet (January–February 2005) (Michigan premiere)
  • The Stillness Between Breaths by Joseph Zettelmaier (March–April 2005) (world premiere)
  • Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams (April–May 2005)
  • Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg (July–August 2005) (Michigan premiere)

The 2003–2004 Season: (Carla Milarch, artistic director)

  • The Sins of Sor Juana by Karen Zacarias (September–October 2003) (Michigan premiere)
  • Tongue of a Bird by Ellen McLaughlin (October–November 2003) (Michigan premiere)
  • The Home Team by Kim Carney (November–December 2003) (world premiere)
  • Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck (January–February 2004) (Michigan premiere)
  • Kimberly Akimbo by David Lindsay-Abaire (March–April 2004) (Michigan premiere)
  • The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht, music by Kurt Weill, translated by Robert David MacDonald (April–May 2004)

The 2002–2003 Season: (Daniel C. Walker, artistic director)

2003 TreeTown Performance Festival (June-Aug 2003)

  • Peter Sparling Dance Company
  • Brilliant traces
  • Mosaic Youth Theatre - Reality
  • Brass Tacks - A Work in Progress
  • Terpsichore's Kitchen - Dancing in Summer
  • LIMF Nodes - The Blue Hour by David Mamet
  • Pangea - The Search for Intelligent Improv in the Universe
  • Rowen Education Network - Candy Corn, Christ, and the Convoluted Creation of Golf

The 2001–2002 Season: (Daniel C. Walker, artistic director)

2002 TreeTown Performance Festival (June-Aug 2002):

  • Peter Sparling Dance Company
  • Dada Boy Paints on Canvas
  • Mosaic Youth Theatre - Heartbeat
  • Chimera Theatre's A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
  • James McNeill Whistler
  • Terpsichore's Kitchen - Dancing in Summer
  • Ground Zen and Skinny Arms
  • Collection
  • Anton in Show Business

The 2000–2001 Season: (Daniel C. Walker, artistic director)

  • The Maiden's Prayer by Nicky Silver (Michigan premiere)
  • Wit by Margaret Edson (Michigan premiere)
  • Fuddy Meers by David Lindsay-Abaire (Michigan premiere)
  • Maggie Rose by Kim Carney (world premiere)
  • Struggling Truths by Peter Mellencamp (world premiere)[38]
  • Art by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton (Michigan premiere)

The 1999–2000 Season: (Daniel C. Walker, artistic director)

The 1998–99 Season: (Johanna Broughton, executive director)

The 1998 Guest presentations:

  • Ellipsis Theatre Ensemble's The Moon Wolf
  • Jesse Richards & Hundredth Monkey's Animal Lovers Project
  • MorrisCo Art Theatre's The Importance Of Being Earnest
  • MOSAIC Youth Theatre's heartBEAT
  • Open Theatre's Quartet
  • Drake Enterprises' Moby Dick Rehearsed
  • Shivaree by William Mastrosimone
  • Shadow Theatre Company's Closet Land
  • Autumn Dances Annual Choreographers Showcase

1999 TreeTown Performance Festival Guest presentations June - August 1999:

  • Mosaic Youth Theatre's Everybody's Talkin'
  • Brass Tacks Ensemble's King Lear
  • Heartlande Theatre Company's Mainstream
  • Shadow Theatre Company's Echoes
  • Terpsicore's Kitchen's Summer Dances
  • RAH Productions Strange Love & Unusual Sex
  • Mercury Theatre Company's Office Hours

The 1997–98 Season (PNT's first Equity season): (Johanna Broughton, executive director)

The 1997-98 Guest Presentations:

  • Autumn Dances Annual Choreographers Showcase
  • Ellipsis Theatre Ensemble's Ave Maria Played Softly
  • Spontaneous Me Productions's The Borstal Boy
  • MorrisCo Art Theatre's Agnes of God
  • Peridot Productions' No Exit
  • Dutchman by LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka)
  • The 12th Annual Raise The Roof
  • Autumn Dances Annual Choreographers Showcase
  • Ellipsis Theatre Ensemble's Why We Have A Body
  • Walk and Squawk's Inhlanzi Ishelwe Amanzi
  • The Shadow Theatre Company's The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
  • Sensible Footwear - Comedic Feminist Terrorists
  • Walk and Squawk's How Could You Stoop SoLo?
  • Brilliant Traces by Cindy Lou Johnson
  • Basement Arts presents A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Drop Dead by Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore

The 1997 Productions:

  • Mary Goldstein & the Author by OyamO
  • River Dreams by Elise Bryant
  • The Tiger Bounds by Malcolm Tulip
  • Viva, La Click-ka! by Rudolfo Valier Alvarado
  • Some of My Best Friends Are... by Joan Lipkin, music & lyrics by Tom Clear

The 1997 Guest Presentations:

  • In the Heart of the Wood by Todd Jefferson Moore
  • MorrisCo Art Theatre's Summer and Smoke
  • Come Good Rain written and performed by Toronto actor/playwright George Bwanika Seremba
  • Spring Dances Annual Choreographers Showcase
  • Sensible Footwear - Comedic Feminist Terrorists
  • Walk and Squawk presents Shameless Rainbow Youth Theater
  • MorrisCo Art Theatre presents Uncle Vanya
  • Dance / Partners by Terri Sarris and Patricia Plasko
  • The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter
  • Mosaic Youth theatre of Detroit presents What Fools These Mortals Be!
  • Ellipsis Theatre Ensemble presents A Woman's Lot and Under a Rhyming Planet
  • Walk & Squawk Performance Project's Who It Is

Affiliations

Performance Network Theatre was a member of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG),[39] the National New Play Network (NNPN),[40] Americans for the Arts,[41] the Cultural Alliance of Southeast Michigan (CASM),[42] the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau (AACVB),[43] and the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce.[44] The Theatre's activities were supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs,[45] and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Awards

References

External links

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