Eight Michigan Theaters Announce Equity Theatre Alliance

They're vastly different, but they have more in common than most people know. They are Michigan's Equity theatre producers: all professional, all producing under a contract with the Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Now Detroit Repertory Theatre (Detroit), The Jewish Ensemble Theatre (West Bloomfield), Performance Network Theatre (Ann Arbor), Plowshares Theatre Company (Detroit), The Purple Rose Theatre Company (Chelsea), Meadow Brook Theatre (Rochester) Tipping Point Theatre (Northville) and Williamston Theatre (Williamston) are proud to announce the formation of the Michigan Equity Theatre Alliance (META).

META will be a permanent alliance that will foster collaboration at all levels of operations, from
marketing and audience development to collective bargaining to sharing inventory. META will
strengthen and promote the image of Michigan's Equity theaters, while finding ways to grow
stronger through collaboration. META will pursue projects in each of four strategic areas
identified as critical for success. These are: marketing, branding and audience development;
group vendor and contract negotiation; research, best practices and advocacy; space and facilities
sharing/organizational efficiency.

META was formed through a partnership between the Cultural Alliance for Southeast Michigan
(CASM) and the Michigan Non-Profit Association (MNA), funded by the Kresge Foundation and
the Ford Foundation, when steering committee members representing seven theatres came
together for a series of monthly meetings beginning in April 2009. Through these meetings, the
need for several collaborative projects was identified, resulting in the group's determination to
create a permanent alliance. META will undertake projects on an ongoing basis, and will
announce its first major event soon.

META steering committee member and Performance Network Theatre Executive Director Carla
Milarch said "We're thrilled that after working side by side for so many years, Michigan's Equity
Theatres can finally unify under the META name. We share so many common interests and
concerns that it just makes sense for us to band together. Even though we're competitors, we
recognize that in this economic climate, we must work together to survive. This alliance will
make us all stronger, individually and as an industry."

Members of the META steering committee include: Gary Anderson, Christopher Bremer,
Barbara Busby, Donald V. Calamia, James Kuhl, David Magidson, Cheryl Marshall, Carla
Milarch, Alan Ribant, Travis Walter and David Wolber. The group is currently working with
Lynne Friman, a strategic alliances manager assigned by CASM, to further strategize on which of
several projects it will embark on in the coming months.

META is currently in the formative stages, but interested parties can gain more information by
emailing Carla Milarch at carla@peformancenetwork.org

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Information on individual META theatres:

Performance Network Theatre: Michigan is home to hundreds of Broadway quality actors that
choose to live and work right here. Performance Network, Ann Arbor's professional theatre, pairs
their talent with the hottest plays available, produced with imaginative sets and costumes, in our
intimate downtown space. PNT's mission is to "provide uncompromising artistic leadership in the
region and produce works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists." With a wide
variety of musicals, comedies, dramas, Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winners, Performance
Network is proud to be Michigan's premier professional Theatre.

Tipping Point Theatre: Located in Northville, on the western fringe of metro Detroit, the
mission of Tipping Point Theatre is to foster human interactions and relations, creating a
unifying, yet personal experience through affordable, professional theatre performances and
community outreach. We are committed to touching your hearts, making you laugh, making you
cry and making you think.

Detroit Repertory Theatre is a diversity centered neighborhood based professional theatre
located in the geographic center of Detroit. From inception (1957), the Theatre's mission and
goal has been to: produce the best possible professional theatre; demonstrate the power of
diversity acting in unity; utilize indigenous professional artists; provide training for a professional
life in Theatre; and, attract wide diverse audiences reflecting the cultural and ethnic diversity of
SE Michigan.

Purple Rose Theatre: Founded in 1991 by acclaimed actor and Chelsea-native Jeff Daniels, The
Purple Rose Theatre Company is a leading American theatre dedicated to producing the new
American play and creating opportunities for Midwest theatre professionals. The PRTC is a
501(c)(3) not-for-profit theatre operating under a Small Professional Theatre agreement with the
Actors' Equity Association. The PRTC promotes the development of new American theatre and
its practitioners, provides valuable educational opportunities for young artists, and through
consistently high quality production values has earned the respect of both local and national
theatre communities.

Jewish Ensemble Theatre: JET's mission is to produce theatre on the highest possible
professional level, to provide a stage for the exploration of new ideas, and confront issues of
community and humanity from a Jewish perspective. The Jewish Ensemble Theatre serves as a
force for Jewish continuity, a platform for new voices, and a bridge of understanding to the
general community.

Plowshares Theatre Company is recognized as Michigan's only professional African American
theatre company. For 20 years, Plowshares has been the alternative voice in metro Detroit's
performing arts community. A theatre that offers a true off-Broadway experience, with the kind
of entertaining, and diverse productions that has made it a favorite among discerning patrons.
Plowshares is an urban theatre with a distinctly Detroit style. The name of the theatre company is
synonymous with its mission: Plowshares is dedicated to "breaking new ground" by nurturing
emerging talent, providing challenging opportunities to local artists and presenting new plays.

Meadow Brook Theatre is dedicated to creating opportunities for artists and patrons of the arts
to participate in live theatrical productions of the highest quality through a variety of
professionally produced events. MBT is Michigan's Largest Producing Professional Theatre and
the only LORT theatre in the state. Seasons are consistently filled with Michigan premieres and
shows straight from Broadway that Inspire, Educate and Entertain.

Williamston Theatre's mission is to produce professional theatre that excites and engages our
audiences while challenging us all to explore our lives. This mission statement is supported by the
following objectives: to be an integral part of the cultural fabric of Michigan; to pursue
innovative collaboration in every aspect of our work; to establish a home for Midwest artists; and,
to engage audiences of diverse ages, cultures and economic backgrounds.

 

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