Thunder Bay Theatre plans renovation campaign

Alpena’s Thunder Bay Theatre, the only year-round professional theater in northeastern Michigan, has long been a favorite venue for residents and summer visitors.

Since its founding by local thespians in 1967, the theater has provided a year-round schedule of productions, including an annual Shakespeare project, children’s shows, comedies, classics and American dramas. More than 7,000 people visit the theater annually, with performers and technical talent coming from all over the country. 

"For many of our patrons, we may be the only theater experience they ever have,” says Anne Gentry, executive director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority.

But the theater has been shut down since the summer of 2020, after a fire in a neighboring business spread, causing extensive smoke and water damage in the theater.  The damage extends to the theater stage, restrooms, basement, rented apartments (above), roof, and the lobby, renovated in 2017, which was destroyed. 


A historic photo of the theater building in an earlier incarnation as a business.Still standing, Thunder Bay remains the region’s only year-round theater and a capital campaign to raise money to restore the historic building will be formally launched in 2023.  The theater’s board has been working the past two years to develop a plan to not only repair the damage but pursue a complete renovation.

The renovation price tag is estimated at $1.2 million.

“I remember going to Thunder Bay Theater with my parents as a child, and it sparked a lifelong love of performing arts. The arts enrich our lives in so many ways, connecting us to other people, and something larger than ourselves,” says Gentry, who is also president of the theater board. “When the fire happened, we knew there was no other option but to restore our building so that we can not only open again but ensure that Thunder Bay Theater continues to provide meaningful, thought-provoking theater for generations to come in an area of Michigan that is severely underserved.” 


A performance of "Carousel" at Thunder Bay Theatre in the summer of 2019.




Fund raising: The full campaign will get under way in 2023 with plans expected to be announced soon. The theater is working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to secure a Community Development Block Grant and has leveraged insurance money to complement other grants. Gentry says the theater’s board has been working to determine the scope of renovation and secure funding. “We have secured some local foundation support to even consider a $1.2 million renovation. You never know what you may uncover in an old building, so we are hoping to raise an additional $100,000,” she says. The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan raised $4,540 for the theater as part of its participation in the annual Giving Tuesday.

The renovation needs: The 100-year old building requires extensive renovation and restoration. The renovation will include repair and reconstruction of damaged areas, updates to six upstairs apartments, rebuilding the lobby, installing a new roof, remediating lead and asbestos, updating heating, cooling, electric and plumbing systems, and tuck-pointing two historic brick on all facades. 

A fire in an adjoining buildings heavily damaged Thunder Bay Theatre.The early 1900 building’s original wooden floors will be refinished, plaster repaired, and the historic brick walls will be cleaned, helping maintain some of the theater’s unique historic features. “The only modern additions will be adding a wet bar to the lobby and the purchase of new furniture for the lobby and apartments,” Gentry says. 

Education continues: Part of the theater’s mission is to explore, educate, and discuss topics of diversity and inclusion. Summer camps, workshops and virtual performances have been held since the fire. “One of our core mission areas is to explore issues of diversity and inclusion through the programs we select, the talent we hire, and a series of panel discussions,” Gentry says. Following the theater’s reopening, there will be a revival of some of Thunder Bay’s outreach programs, including dance and vocal academies, touring performances, summer camps, and student performances.

To donate to the restoration, go to: https://www.thunderbaytheatre.com/donate.html.