Performance Network Theatre Informations

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.

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.

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 (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

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. In July 2014, the Board announced that the theatre would reopen under the management of local actor-directors John Manfredi and Suzi Regan. Under the new management team, the Network produced one and a half seasons. Despite excellent reviews for some of the productions, both ticket sales and donations dropped precipitously. 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.

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.

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.

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

Past staff members include:

Board of Directors

Associate Artists

The 2015–2016 season(Suzi Regan, Artistic Director)

The 2014–2015 season(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)

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