New theater in downtown Battle Creek names artistic director

A newly formed theater dedicated to building a more vibrant nightlife in downtown Battle Creek has taken another step toward realizing its goal of becoming a destination for theater lovers.

Randy Wolfe, a well-known name in theater circles in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, has been appointed acting artistic director of What A Do Theatre.

Wolfe spent seven years as resident director at Whole Art Theatre in Kalamazoo, has directed nearly three-dozen plays in Chicago, Kalamazoo, and Marshall, among other experiences in his career. He also has appeared on stage in 18 productions including performances at the Barn Theatre and off-Broadway, as well as TV and film.

The theater’s managing director Ed Creech says that not only was Wolfe’s resume what he was looking for, but the two hit it off right away as they discussed plans for getting the theater off the ground.

Creech says the theater, which offered its first production in February, ultimately will be a place young actors can get the Equity points they need for the better-paying union jobs not only in Michigan, but in New York and Los Angeles.

Until now, the theater has been the work of Creech and a handful of volunteers who call themselves What A Doers. The theater is being incubated in First United Methodist Church, 111 East Michigan Avenue.

When seeking a venue, Creech was adamant that it be downtown, as his whole vision for What A Do was that it be a reason for people to come downtown and sample the nightlife there.

Reservations are being taken for the theater’s next performance to be staged is “Doubt, A Parable.” Performance dates are May 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22.

Wolfe, a Battle Creek resident, will direct “Doubt.”

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Ed Creech, What A Do Theatre