Support Pit & Balcony
805 North Hamilton Street, Saginaw, MI 48602 989-754-6588
•1932
Seven members of The American Association of University Women (AAUW) met and read plays in their homes. Mrs. CH Brand offered the ballroom located in her home in the present Historic District at 129 S. Granger for the performance of two-one act plays.
•1933
The theatre group had grown to over 200 members. Mrs. George Grant, Jr. donated the use of her carriage house located on Cleveland. The space was dubbed the Barn. At this time the men who had been invited to appear in plays decided they wanted to have a say in the organization so the group withdrew from The AAUW and established Pit and Balcony. The group became PIT AND BALCONY as a reminder of Shakespeares Old Globe Theatre where the open air arena in front of the stage was called the Pit. In this area people would stand and watch the play for a penny. The Balcony housed the musicians and could also be used for scenes requiring a balcony, such as Romeo and Juliet. A season ticket cost $1.00 and the price to a single performance was 35 cents.
•1934
Still an evolving theatre group.
•1942-1943
$15,000 was borrowed for capital improvements. Elaborate sets and costumes were available for the performance of St. Joan when a fire struck on January 19, 1943, which completely destroyed the barn. There were $11,000 in damages and only a partial coverage by the insurance.
•1943
After the fire the group moved to 413 Court, where rehearsals took place. Performances were presented at the Masonic Temple in downtown Saginaw.
•1943-1945 Performances continued at the Masonic Temple.
•1945-1947
A move from 413 Court was necessitated due to the building being sold. Insurance money from the fire purchased an old hotel at 301 S. Hamilton. Plays continued at the Masonic Temple.
•1948
A vacant lot at Throop and Hamilton was purchased and a building campaign began.
•1949
In June ground breaking took place. A building company did the basic construction: walls, roof, structure and concrete floors. P & B members did the rest, roofing, partitions, stage and lobby. In the fall the first play in the new building was presented.
•1950-1951
Attendance hit an all-time high with 9,677 for all five plays in the season. Prior to 1950 there was no curtain on stage.
In 1950 a curtain from the Temple Theater was donated.
•1951
Two murals 60 by 16 were painted on the side walls of the house (auditorium).
•1952
Air Conditioning was installed.
•1954
Members sewed a new red velvet curtain.
•1955-1965
Performances continued but revenues were down due to the popularity of television.
•1960s
These were lean years for Pit and Balcony, but in1965 the mortgage of $41.500 was burned and a $12,000 remodeling project began which included a new canopy, doors, paneling, tiled ceiling, new furniture and new carpeting in the lobby. Unfortunately the murals in the house were painted over. In 1968, the lean years were beaten and 2,100 season tickets were sold.
•1970s
Summer classes were sponsored by the Saginaw Parks and Recreation Department. Again the mortgage for the remodeling project in the 60s was burned. The Magic Circle Players, a group of junior and senior high school students performed at various elementary schools. Getting youth involved in the theater was the main theme of the 70s.
•1980s
Again remodeling at the theater began with a major lobby conversion to the present layout. In 1982 the theater marked its 50th Anniversary.
•1990s
Plays continue with the help of volunteers without their dedication the theater would not be able to present the high quality of community theater productions. In 1996 the Theatre was redecorated to what you see today.
The present Theatre consists of the lobby (front of the house), offices, sound and light booth, auditorium (house), stage, backstage, props loft, and the basement. In the basement are the dressing rooms and the Green Room. The Green Room is that space in the theatre, which accommodates the performers not yet required on stage. Speakers allow the performers to hear the ongoing play. The Green Room functions as a waiting lounge. The origin of the term is often attributed to the area being historically painted green. Pit and Balcony also owns the building to the north, which houses the Costume Department.
Pit and Balcony Theatre is one of the oldest community theatres in the country.
Throughout the years, our mission has remained the same, to provide the citizens of the Saginaw area with a means of entertainment and education in the literature, theory and practical application of the science and the art of drama.
"ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE," and our most important player is YOU! As Pit and Balcony Theatre enters it's 80th season, we need your support.
Pit and Balcony Community Theatre is a non-profit arts organization that has a strong role in the realization and fulfillment of the vision of arts and culture in the Great Lakes Bay Region. In celebration of our 80th season we are launching our 80 Years of Excellence fundraising campaign with a goal of $80,000.
Pit and Balcony Community Theatre had its modest beginning in 1932 when seven members of The American Association of University Women began reading plays together. Now, 80 years later, Pit and Balcony continues to be one of the leaders in the performing arts in Saginaw. It is through the generosity of the citizens of the Great Lakes Bay Region that we continue to present quality performances.
Production costs at Pit and Balcony range from $5,000 to $12,000 per show. You can be a part of producing a show at Pit and Balcony through your financial support. Please review the sponsorship form and select your choice of support. Please see our PayPal link in the upper right of this page . We make it easy and safe to support Pit and Balcony.
Pit & Balcony Community Theatre
2011-2012 Board of Directors
President
Cynthia Marcoux Appointed/ Exp2013
4791 Ashwood Drive, Saginaw, MI 48603 (989)-793-1584, (989) 280-2334 ccmarcoux_charter.net
•Member Saginaw Bay Power Squadron, Past Commander
1st VP
Dan Taylor Appointed/ Exp 2013
682 Glendale Ave, Saginaw, MI 48638 taylor.d.daniel_gmail.com
•Secretary St. Johns
•Lutheran Church Zilwaukee
2nd VP
Mary Margaret Fletcher1st term/Exp2013
16 Valentine Ct. Saginaw, MI 48638 (989) 793-6119, (989) 751-0618 mmbfletch_att.net
•100 Club golf Outing Committee
Secretary
Audrey Lewis Appointed/ Exp 2014
500 Ardussi, Saginaw, MI 48602(989) 792-4058, (989) 274-2051 bookperson39_yahoo.com
•Saginaw Arts and Enrichment Commission
•Riverside Saginaw Film Festival Board
•Saginaw Valley Concert Association Board
•Holidays in the Heart of the City Committee
Treasurer
Stacey Stephenson Appointed/Exp2012
5300 Gratiot Rd, Saginaw, MI 48638 (989) 479-5300 (517) 230-2835
Stacey.Stephenson_ahpplc.com
Kate Beltran1st term/Exp2013
19 Cobblestone Place, Saginaw, MI 48603 (989) 497-9225, (989) 385-3481 jbeltran_chartermi.net
•Treasurer, SASA Athletic Booster Club
•Saginaw Choral Society
Cathleen Veverka 1st term/Exp2014
#11 E. Hannum Blvd, Saginaw, MI 48602 (989) 792-4058, (989) 274-2051 veverka7_charter.net
•President, SASA Athletic Booster Club
Phillip A. Sturtz- Sturtz and Sturtz Attorneys1st term/ Exp2012
608 Michigan Ave, Saginaw, MI 48602 (989) 799-4701, (989) 780-1983 sturtzph_gmail.com
•Member Saginaw Downtown Rotary
•Member Saginaw County Bar Association
•Member American Bar Association
•Member Federal Court-Eastern District
Bob Bula1st term/Exp2012
1474 Birchfield, Saginaw, MI 48609 (989) 781-1126 dbretired610_gmail.com
•Tri-City Philatelic Club
•First United Methodist Church Ushers, Mens Club, Finance Committee, and Worship Committee
Steve Maksymiuk1st term/Exp 2014
4680 Parish Rd, Midland, MI 48642 s.g.aksymiuk_charter.net
•Knights of Columbus Council
•American Institute of Chemical Engineer
Shelly DoranExp. 2014
5300 Gratiot Rd, Saginaw, MI 48638 (989)497-5300 (989) 450-9932 Shelly.doran_ahpplc.com
Bill Koepke- Saginaw Bay Underwriters1st term/Exp2014
P.O. Box 1928, Saginaw, MI 48605 (989) 752-9932, (989) 798-1697 wkoepke_yahoo.com
•Treasurer, New Life Christian Fellowship Church
•Treasurer, Delta Chi Building Corp
Open Exp: 2012
Maintenance and Set Coordinator
Gary Reid
180 S. Colony Drive, Saginaw, MI (989) 791-2108, (989) 992-9475 reid65gjret_hotmail.com
Office Manager
Melissa White
Po Box 857, Pinconning, MI 48650 (616) 881-8402 mwhite1218_yahoo.com
Looking for Volunteer Opportunities?
We are always looking for volunteers to help with props, set building, costumes, stage crew, office, box office, and ushering. Please contact us at the theatre if you are interested.
OVER THE TAVERN
Performance Dates: March 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 2012
Just what the doctor ordered! Set in Buffalo during the Eisenhower years, the play introduces us to the Pazinskis: Mom, Dad their children, Eddie, Annie, George and our hero, 12year-old Rudy. Rudy believes God put us on earth to have fun he wonders why his family isnt having any.
CHRISTMAS EXPRESS
Performance Dates: December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 2011
Hilda dreams of faraway places as she lives out her days running the old
Holly Railway Station. Then, one Christmas Eve, a stranger drops in out
of thin air and small miracles begin to happen. An old radio creaks to
life, an otherwise caterwauling choir can suddenly sing beautifully and
the whole town gets the Christmas
spirit.
SWEENEY TODD
Directed by Guest Artist Michael Walling
Performance Dates: May 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 2012
Music is the mystical power behind the engrossing story of Benjamin
Barker, alias Sweeny Todd, who returns to his native London after spending
15 years in a penal colony on false charges. When he learns this from his
former landlady that his wife poisoned herself to death after being raped
by the judge who wrongly transported him, he vows his revenge.
THE UNDERPANTS
Performance Dates: January 27th, 28th, 29th; February 3rd, 4th, 5th, 2012
Comedian Steve Martin provides us with a wild satire about Louise and
Theo, a couple whose conservative existence is shattered when Louise’s
bloomers fall down in public. Although she corrects the situation
quickly, Theo is sure word of the shocking incident will get out and cost
him his government job. The faux pas does not cause a scandal but it does
attract two infatuated men, each of whom wants to rent the couple’s spare
room!
80th CAMPAIGN
Pit and Balcony Community Theatre continues to celebrate its 80th Season of Excellence. We want to thank our patrons fro your continued support over the years. YOU are our most important player. Without you, we have no reason to be here. Many of you have already contributed to our fundraising campaign this season and we thank you again for your generosity. If you haven't had an opportunity to contribute to the campaign, we continue to accept donations. Donations can be sent by mail to 805 N. Hamilton St, Saginaw, MI 48602. If you wish, you may donate by phone with a credit card or you may use PayPal on our website pitandbalconytheatre.com. We are currently expanding our programming this season to include a children/youth project for 9ages9-17). We have a goal to raise $10,000 by April 1, 2012. If 100 people gave just $20 it would amount to $2,000. If 100 people donated $50, the total would abount to $5,000. Even small amount add up.
MUSICALS
General Admission: $22
NON-MUSICALS
General Admission: $18
There are three options for purchasing tickets to shows and events at Pit & Balcony Theatre.
Click on the "Buy Tickets" button on the left to begin. Tickets are available for purchase 24-hours a day using MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express. There is a $3 processing fee for online ticket purchases. Discounts or certificates are not redeemable online. To redeem a certificate, please purchase tickets in person at the theatre box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 1 pm and one hour prior to curtain. The box office is closed on holidays. Tickets purchased online will be held at the will call window for pick up.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 989.754.6587. The box office accepts MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. Tickets purchased by phone will be held at the will call window for pick up. The box office is open one hour prior to curtain and is closed on holidays.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the box office at 805 North Hamilton Street, Saginaw, MI 48602. Methods of payment accepted are cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express.
TicketConditions.pdf
Audition Dates: January 31st-February 1st, 2012 _ 7 p.m.
Roles Available: 1 Male, 2 Female and 4 Children
Audition Dates: October 4th-5th, 2011 _ 7p.m.
Performance Dates: December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 2012
Roles Available: 4 Adult Males & 6 Adult Females
Audition Dates: December 6th-7th, 2011 _ 7 p.m.
Roles Available: 4 Adult Males & 2 Adult Females
Audition Dates: March 20th-21st, 2012 _ 7 p.m.
Roles Available: 7 Adult Males & 3 Adult Females
Pit and Balcony Community Theatre (805 N. Hamilton St., Saginaw, MI) will hold auditions for its upcoming production of “The Underpants,” written by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin.
“The Underpants” centers around the Maskes, a bureaucrat and his wife, in Dusseldorf in 1910. When Louise Maske’s underpants fall to the ground at a parade for the king, her husband, Theo, is mortified and fears the worst: total destitution and social ruin. Instead, Theo finds himself renting rooms in his home to men who intend to seduce his wife. As scandal erupts into spectacle, the characters reflect upon our fascination with fame, our reliance on gender roles and our enslavement by sex. As expected, Martin delivers a hilarious and relevant adaptation of Sternheim’s 1910 script.
The play calls for two men in their mid-twenties, two men from forty to sixty years old, one woman in her mid-twenties and one woman in her early forties. Auditions will be held at the theatre on December 6th and 7th at 7pm. Those who audition should bring their personal calendars with them. Rehearsals are generally held three to four evenings a week, Monday thru Friday from 7pm-10pm. The rehearsal schedule is set by the director. Performances run January 27th-29th and February 3rd-5th, 2012. Those cast in the show must be present for every performance.
Looking for a special place to host your next meeting or party?
Now you can host it at Pit and Balcony Community Theatre where your function is always a special event.
Whether it's a private party, anniversity, birthday party, concert your group will enjoy the extras Pit and Balcony has to offer.
Our venue holds 270 guest which means that each seat in the house has an amazing view of the stage.
We offer dressing rooms, free parking, use of kitchen, and friendly staff that is here to help you plan your event.
Please contact the theatre for pricing and available dates!
Sponsorship Opportunities for Our 80th Season
80thflyer.pdf
BOX OFFICE: 989.754.6587
THEATER: 989.754.6588
Pit & Balcony Theatre is located at 805 North Hamilton Street in the historic Old Town Saginaw District.
Free parking is available on the street, across from the theatre, and in the rear of the theatre. Additional parking is available in a lot north of the theatre.
EMAIL: pitandbalconytheatre_yahoo.com
