Bay Street Theatre Looks for a New Home

As a follow up to recent articles, Bay Street Theatre confirms that it is looking for a new home in Sag Harbor. Contrary to some headlines, the theatre is not closing its doors. The theatre will celebrate its 21st season in 2012 in its current location on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor. The lease is up in May, 2013, so the 22nd season will take place at a new or temporary facility.

"The long term goal," says Murphy Davis who is one of the Artistic Directors for Bay Street Theatre, "is to find or create a permanent home. It is a major expense each year to rent the current space, the Riverhead shop where we build the sets and the rent for our actors and production crew each summer. The Combined total is going to be up to $500,000 a year just in rents."

Sybil Christopher, Artistic Director, added "There isn't a not for profit theatre anywhere that can sustain that kind of financial impact each year."

"This is part of a natural progression. Bay Street has proven itself for 20 years, and now it must find a permanent home. It is the only way to develop a strong and healthy business which people will want to invest in; both now and for years to come," says Tracy Mitchell Executive Director. "Unfortunately, the ramification of not having a permanent location spills over and makes it nearly impossible to receive grants and other funding. People want to know you're going to be around and that's exactly what we're going to do by developing a permanent home."

In addition Mitchell points out supporting Bay Street also supports the local community in very tangible ways. The Bay Street staff and their theater-goers bring business to Sag Harbor and other local villages for restaurants, shops and bars. And Bay Street keeps much of their spending local--they contribute to the local economy by renting 10 to 12 homes for interns, cast and production crews as well as taking rooms at local hotels. Bay Street purchases nearly everything here from supplies at the hardware store to food at Schiavoni's, from meals at the Corner Bar, Dockside, and American Hotel to knick-knacks at the Variety store.

Bay Street is a year-round presence on the East End, offering everything from live theatre to comedy, from live music to The Picture Show, serving up classic films from September to May. Bay Street's educational outreach initiatives include a 20 student College Internship program, musical theater camps for kids, and the already popular LITERATURE LIVE production, now in its third year. This year's selection TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD runs from November 7-26 and includes local talent such as Lily Spellman, Susan Galardi and her son Hudson among others. So far over 1,500 students from local and regional schools are booked to attend. Tickets are $10 for kids and $20 for adults. The show is recommended for ages 13 and up.

In addition to being a professional theatre, Bay Street expanded its role to include community center-type needs as requested by year-around residents-- a space for local musicians, forums, rental space for film festivals, seminars, and benefits. Last year alone, their latest program BENEFITS BY BAYSTREET held successful fund raisers and raised thousands for Hurricane victims in Haiti and Earthquake victims in Japan. AND for many years Santa arrived for pictures and such at Bay Street's for a magical afternoon filled with beautifully decorated trees, photos with Santa, carol singing, old fashioned film classics and hot cocoa and treats. This year, Santa will have to find another place to land. "We just don't have a way of providing a day like that for free any longer," said Mitchell. The Sag Harbor Chamber was notified and currently appears to be unable to fund his visit as well.

Tax deductible contributions can help ensure that Bay Street remains strong, as CBS Sunday Morning reported "one of the country's pre-eminent regional theaters". These contributions are essential to the theater's mission to "entertain, inspire and enhance the cultural arts for the East End and beyond". Donations can be made by sending a check to Bay Street Theater, PO Box 810, Sag Harbor NY 11963 or donate on line at www.baystreet.org.

 

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