Throughout its long history, Old Town Playhouse has benefited from a wonderful outpouring of community support. In return, the Playhouse has offered enriching entertainment and educational opportunities for the residents of northern Michigan.

A Community Stage
What began in 1960 as a gathering of a small group of friends
determined to produce live theatre in Northern Michigan has
now grown into one of the area’s leading attractions. Each
year, we bring entertainment and education to nearly 20,000
participants, with over 125 Old Town Playhouse and Young Company performances and numerous special events and
community appearances.

Our 51st season represents a vibrant mix of old and new, from
the timeless classic, Fiddler on the Roof, to the premiere production of Mariam’s Pardon. Explore a full range of emotions, from the hilarity of Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, to the poignancy of The Cemetery Club and Almost, Maine. Experience the catharsis of The Women of Lockerbie and the irreverent dark humor of Dog Sees God. Feel the angst of adolescent in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and bask in warmth of great
song and story in the holiday favorite White Christmas.

The youth education arm of Old Town Playhouse, the OTP Young Company, provides performance and educational activities for youth age preschool through secondary school, including mainstage performances during December, June and August as well as classes and workshops for youth throughout the year. OTPYC will involve nearly 50 students in grades three through twelve in classes and rehearsals leading to the holiday presentation of Suessical, Jr. in mid-December. Over 100 youth age preschool through high school will participate in a variety of six-week educational classes in winter, spring and summer. Old Town Playhouse also serves as a resource for stagecraft, scripts, costumes and related advice for regional schools, community groups and businesses, other theatres and area arts organizations.

Volunteers Essential to OTP
Since its inception in 1960, the Playhouse has been volunteer driven. Approximately 200 volunteers play key roles in all operational facets of the organization - productions, maintenance, administrative, professional. Last season, volunteers contributed close to 50,000 hours. Old Town Playhouse is reliant on its volunteer force to remain viable and vital.

Economic Impact
The current annual budget is approximately $450,000. Income is earned through individual ticket sales (45%), season ticket sales (24%), the Black & White Gala (10%), donations (6%), advertising & underwriting (6%), grants (5%), memberships (1%), concessions (1%) and educational projects, workshops and rentals (2%). All funds are reinvested into productions & operations. New sources of revenue, in particular through corporate underwriting, community partnerships and granting opportunities, are currently being studied and pursued to assure the ongoing financial viability of Old Town Playhouse. The fiscal year runs July through June. In addition to the annual operating budget, an endowment fund - the Old Town Playhouse Endowment at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation - exists to support investment in OTP's future artistic endeavors into perpetuity. It is our goal to help this fund grow so that our community theatre will be able to grow and thrive for generations to come.

NEW INITIATIVES

Restructuring
In 2007, the Board of Trustees initiated plans to review the operations and structure of the Old Town Playhouse. In 2008 they commenced a restructuring of the governance of the operation with the approval of membership. This resulted in a community based Board of Trustee structure, and refocused the Playhouse on managing growth, with a focus toward development and fundraising to meet the growth and demands of the larger community.

Centralized Ticketing Box Office
In 2008, the Old Town Playhouse, along with other arts partners, led an initiative to create TREAT, a centralized regional ticketing operation within the community. Through the process, OTP served as the fiscal agent for this major collaborative initiative with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and two presenting organizations, The City Opera House and the Milliken Auditorium of the Dennos Museum. With key funding made available through a generous grant from Rotary Charities of Traverse City, TREAT has coodinated ticketing for the region and is increasing the impact the arts and culture have in Northwestern Michigan.