I was so saddened when I opened an email around 9:30 PM tonight from Bay Theatre Company‘s Artistic Director Janet Luby, which informed me that the theatre is closing its doors.
“The Board of Directors of the Bay Theatre Company, Inc. has voted to suspend operations of the theatre, which has been in existence since 2001. The board determined that the theatre could not in good conscience accept subscriptions for the 2013-2014 program year without having a long-term lease on their current space.
“The Bay Theatre has had a tremendous 12-year run, winning many awards for excellence in theatre and setting the bar very high for theatre in Annapolis,” said Barbara Brown, President of the Board of Directors. “We have spent a year looking for appropriate space, but were unable to find it. We very much appreciate the public’s support over the past 12 years.”
The theatre’s current production, The Price, will close on May 12th, one week earlier than planned in order to allow dismantling of the theatre stage before May 31st.
Those holding tickets for shows the week after May 12 will be given an opportunity to obtain earlier tickets. Ticketholders, who are unable to change their tickets to earlier dates in May, will be given full refunds.
Ticketholders may contact the theatre by calling 877-503-9463 or e-mailing [email protected].
It’s a very sad time because this small theatre produced so many wonderful productions. At the Helen Hayes Awards two years ago I interviewed Janet and members of the Bay Theatre Company ‘family‘ on The Red Carpet. They were so thrilled because Rena Cherry Brown was nominated for her astounding performance in Wit, and they were there to support her. And she won!
It’s so sad that it’s come to this. Thanks Janet and everyone at Bay Theatre Company for bringing great theatre to Annapolis, and for enriching our lives.
We will miss you!
LINKS
Sydney-Chanele Dawkins 3-part series of interviews with the cast of Master Harold …and the boys. Scroll down to read all three interviews.
So sad to hear this!
Wow. So sorry for this. I have so many friends and colleagues that have worked there. Leo and I have done readings there. A close knit little family. Sorry to see it go. Yvonne Erickson
Terrible news. I lived every show I saw there, and The Foreigner was perhaps my favorite play of all time. I wish Annapilis could have helped them find a space to perform.
Stunned. And very sad.
No! This is sad. I wish it weren’t so. I remember their very first productions, Oleanna and Beyond Therapy. I was a teenager back then. So many fond memories & I guess I assumed That BTC had a stronghold in Annapolis. Wish there was something we could do to keep them around. My parents, who still live in Annapolis, will be very disappointed to find out.
How can it be possible that worthwhile theater space can’t be found in Annapolis for Bay Theatre – the company that put the city of Annapolis on the cultural map?