THEATER
A Midtown Success Story
AHRON FOSTER
ARTS&LIFE
Detroit Public Theatre to move to its own new, larger venue. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
own building on Third Avenue, and it is scheduled to open in the spring of 2022 with a seating capacity of 200. Birthday Candles, written by Grand Rapids native Noah Haidle and enhanced with music by Kate Hopgood of Ypsilanti, opens in the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway in a similar timeframe. Premiering director Vivienne Benesch will continue with the new production, starring Debra Messing (Will and Grace). “The leadership at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) had recognized the need for a theater, like the Detroit Public Theatre, in the cultural district so they welcomed and incubated us so generously,” said Winkler, producing artistic director with acting and admin-
The Detroit Public Theatre leadership team: Sarah Clare Corporandy, Sarah Winkler, Dominique Morisseau and Courtney Burkett
istrative experience. “We shared our space with the education programs at the DSO, and the leadership of the DPT and the DSO always knew at some point DPT could outgrow the space. Our theater programming was growing exponentially at the same time the outstanding education programs of the DSO were growing exponentially.” To celebrate the new space, DPT has scheduled a free Summer Block Party with food, entertainment and games 2-10 p.m. Saturday, July 10. BIG PLANS The DPT, which launched soon after Winkler’s family moved to Michigan, partnered with Courtney Burkett and Sarah Clare Corporandy, all holding
the title of producing artistic director. Burkett, former director of theater programs at Mosaic Youth Theatre, has worked as an actress, director, administrator and teacher. Corporandy continues as managing director of the Chautauqua Theater Company in New York. Playwright Dominique Morisseau recently joined the leadership team. “Right now, we have a fulltime staff of seven, and we’re going to expand to a full-time staff of 10,” Winkler said. “We’ll be hiring a general manager, facilities manager and connectivity and engagement manager to develop even more programming for outreach to audiences.” Plans are being made for a 2021-22 season to be performed at different area venues, adding continued on page 38
COURTNEY BURKETT
T
wo major moves in progress dramatize the six-year success of the Detroit Public Theatre (DPT) — the move into a larger space and the move of its first commissioned play from Motown to Broadway. Sarah Winkler, a longtime New York stage professional who partnered with local stage professionals and community leaders to establish DPT, mustered through the pandemic by collaborating on plans for the new 7,000-square-foot facility and proudly tracking the development of Broadway-bound Birthday Candles. DPT, which had been housed in a 150-seat venue at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Midtown, is moving three blocks away to occupy its
The new DPT building before and after.
JULY 8 • 2021
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