Performance Network Theatre to Shutter at Year's End

It is with deep sorrow that Performance Network Theatre's Board of Directors announces the decision to suspend operations at the end of this calendar year.

First suspended in May 2014, the Theatre was re­launched several months later under the direction of a new management team, John Manfredi, Executive Director; and Suzi Regan, Artistic Director. Their tenure at the helm has been marked by excellence and the Theatre has enjoyed deep support from the artistic community. But the legacy of debt proved insurmountable and the company's most recent campaign for emergency funding did not reach its goal.

Writing for T?he Ann,?playwright Annie Martin described her perspective from the outside looking in, "It has made me so grateful to have two people who care so much about theater, the community and the artistic community."

With its closure the community loses a theatre committed to risk taking, presenting new work and supporting Michigan artists. Its intimate space in downtown Ann Arbor has offered audiences the magic of theater and was truly a farm to table made in Michigan company.

Operated with only three full­time staff members and two apprentices, ongoing operations have been a herculean effort. The new management team successfully negotiated payment plans and eliminated over $200,000 of past debt while remaining current with all new obligations. Despite generous support from the company landlord, Wickfield Properties, the absence of adequate resources to pay for a robust marketing program and a drop off in subscriptions resulted in faltering ticket sales. Combined with a loss of state funding and a lack of donor support due primarily to the company's past financial trouble, the company can no longer sustain itself.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Interim President Heather Bell expressed deep appreciation to all of the individuals who donated to the Theatre's recent campaign; and to the subscribers whose support has been the backbone of operations during the last 33 years. "It became apparent that we needed an angel donor with substantial and sustained support over a period of years to overcome past debt and prior poor management," commented Bell. "Sadly, no such donor has emerged."

Subscribers holding tickets for future shows will receive tax donation letters from the company equal to the amount of their unused season tickets as no further shows will be produced by Performance Network. M?any partner theatres such as Williamston Theatre, Michigan Shakespeare Festival and Tipping Point Theatre have stated they will make their own gift offers to Network season ticket holders. Performance Network subscribers are encouraged to look for announcements from those organizations.

The last formal programs at the theater will be Sunday, December 20 beginning with Pancakes with Santa at 1 p.m. followed by D?ickens: An A Capella Carol?at 2 p.m. It will be a bittersweet affair as a glass is raised to thank John Manfredi, Suzi Regan, Sara Dean and the two apprentices, Meghan Bortle and Melissa Mercieca for the magic they have created under such adverse conditions.

In closing, the company would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all those that donated their time, their talent and their dollars to the effort to keep the Network alive. Every single donor can be proud of what has been accomplished and take with them the gratitude of Performance Network.

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