Parallel 45 Theatre Shutting Down Permanently

After canceling its spring and summer activities earlier this year, Parallel 45 Theatre has announced it is closing its doors permanently.

Over its 13-year run, the nonprofit organization put on 36 productions, 16 play readings, five fundraisers, six newly-developed works, and four years of educational programming. It also gave 23 young artists working their first paid contracts, employed 500 professional artists, and attracted more than 10,000 audience members, according to a letter from Parallel 45 Theatre founders Erin Anderson Whiting and Kit McCay to donors.

"You shared our belief that northern Michigan would welcome a unique addition to its cultural landscape, and that a boundary-pushing, professional theatre company with artists from across the country and around the world could thrive right in our backyard," the letter states. "We laughed, we cried, we challenged perspectives and assumptions, and we felt something together. We learned that a collective artistic experience can be an antidote to fear and confusion, and a powerful instrument of hope."

But the letter continues: "Yet, we all know that the world has changed. In the wake of the pandemic, the national arts ecosystem has been decimated. Across the country, professional theatre admissions are down 33 percent from 2019 levels, and income is down 35 percent. This year, more than 60 percent of theatres are projecting deficits. We are hopeful that things are improving–slowly–but the arts are hurting and sometimes the blow is simply too great for recovery. Unfortunately, this is true for Parallel 45 Theatre. Despite the heroic efforts of our board, staff, and community, we are financially unable to move forward, and we will be closing our doors permanently."

The founders said in the letter that "writing these words feels impossible and painful. However, with some distance and reflection, we also find ourselves feeling overwhelming gratitude for each and every one of you. It is impossible not to feel joyful as we reflect upon the stories we told, the voices we uplifted, and the close community we created."

The duo wrote in conclusion: "Together, we seized an opportunity and now we have another one in front of us that we must seize, as well. We have the opportunity to ensure that our community’s arts organizations continue. We can make that a reality, but only if we support them–and only if we tell our friends, neighbors, corporations, and elected officials to support them, too. We hope you will consider making a gift to one of these local arts organizations this holiday season. The arts need all of us in order to survive."