Thunder Bay Theatre 400 N. Second Ave. (989) 354-2267 www.thunderbaytheatre.com |
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Located at 400 North Second Avenue
in Old Town, Alpena, Thunder Bay Theatre (TBT) occupies a turn
of the 20th-century building that has had a number of different
tenants.
 This
historic facility was originally known as Spens Drug and
Wallpaper, and then as Alpena Candy and Cigar Company. The
cigar humidor remains intact in the lobby and is used as a
storage closet. TBT purchased the building in 1983 and
converted it to provide the proper setting for the theatre's
activities. In addition to the lobby and state are areas
not seen by most theatre patrons. These important
components of the facility include a modest but complete set
shop which is used for constructing the various sets used in the
plays. Downstairs in the basement is a very large costume
and prop storage area. The extensive costume collection
has been put together painstakingly over the years, and is
maintained with care to protect the many valuable period pieces
included in the inventory. Numerous donations have
completed the costumes made my theatre employees and volunteers.
In addition to using the wide variety of costumes in its
productions, TBT loans many of them to other local theatre
groups, and rents many of them to area residents year round,
especially at
Halloween. Attached to the back of the theatre is another
large warehouse where building materials and furniture are
located between uses. This part of the facility also
serves as a set construction site and an additional rehearsal
area. A critical part of the building is the upstairs
where six apartments are located for use by the resident
professional company. Housing is provided as part of the
compensation for working at TBT and is a very important
incentive for actors to live in Alpena which is far away from
most theatre markets.TBT is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation, and is the only year round professional theatre in Northern Michigan. TBT provides a very valuable theatre opportunity to many young people who are actively pursuing a career on stage. It also creates wonderful learning experiences for local performers and volunteers who get a chance to work closely with the resident professional company. While TBT is a professional theatre, it is run by members of a local volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the direction of the theatre and work diligently to find funding and ways to promote this valuable asset to the community. |
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Book, Music, &Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Produced with permission ofMusic Theatre International March 11th - March 28th Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 Sunday at 2:00 pm |
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Produced with permission
of Dramatists Play Service Inc. Written By Thursday - Saturday at 7:30 Sunday at 2:00 p.m. |
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Written by James McLure Produced by Permission of Dramatists Play Service Inc. April 29th - May 9thWednesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 2:00 p.m. |
