Meet Ford Community & Performing Arts Center

By Donald V. Calamia

What is your theater's mission statement?

Our mission is to cultivate a renowned multi-cultural center of artistic excellence for all facets of our diverse community, encouraging new experience through participation.

What are your theater's short-term goals and objectives - such as for the current season?

To break even.

What are your theater's long-term goals and objectives?

The long-term goal of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is to contribute to the vitality of Dearborn through forward thinking with our eye on the future. The theater will continue to bring artists and audiences together from around the world to provide affordable entertainment

What makes your theater different from any of the others in Michigan? What is it about you that is unique?

The theater is owned by the citizens of Dearborn, and is a 1,200-seat, state-of-the-art theater, capable of hosting almost any kind of performance. The theater has excellent acoustics, designed by the same sound design group as Carnegie Hall.

What is your programming philosophy? What type(s) of shows does your theater produce on its main stage - and why?

The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center serves as a home to both community programming and professional programming.

This year take a look at our programing: Golden Dragon Acrobats, REO Speedwagon, Glenn Miller Orchestra, 101 Years of Broadway, Spencers Theater of Illusion, Swan Lake, Irish Rovers, Colin & Brad Mochrie, 60's rock 'n' roll Concerts.

The only shows that we produce each year are through the summer theater program. Last year's program was High School Musical 2 and the Nutcracker.

What other types of programming, if any, does your theater offer - such as theater for young audiences, educational outreach, etc.?

Each year for the theater provides the following free programs: Dearborn Symphony Orchestra Young Peoples Concert, Detroit Dance Collective Young Peoples Program on Modern Dance, and CSI Live program for schools for math and science skills. Free concerts for the community by the U.S Air Force band, or this year's free concert by The Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

This year we also provide a special program to the school children, Art in Public Places.

Does your theater offer any classes or workshops - either to the general public or to industry professionals? If so, what are they?

We offer the following programs and classes: Dearborn Community Chorus, Dearborn Youth Symphony, Vanguard Voices.

For ages 6-13: Acting for Fun, Dynamic Dramatics, Kiddie Kafe, Teen Acting Workshops, Audition Techniques, Character Study, One Act Plays.

For adults: Adult Acting, Senior Acting, Senior Arts Classes, First Friday's artist exchange series, Whimsical Art, Zen of Photography, as well as an entire dance instruction program.

Is your theater an Equity (union) company:

No.

What is the philosophy you use to cast your shows? From what talent pool(s) do you draw from?

Our casting is open to anyone, soon to be listed on our new Web site: www.dearborntheater.com

How does an actor go about arranging an audition?

Contact the Cultural Arts coordinator at 313-943-2190 until the new Web site is in operation.

Does your theater offer an apprenticeship or internship program? And if so, what is the criteria - and how does someone apply for such a position?

No.

Does your theater accept new play submissions? If so, how does a playwright go about submitting a script for your consideration?

Not at this time.

What else should we know about your theater, the current season, etc.?

We operate a very busy theater with 150 performance dates per year.

The theater has several type of performances: community shows; Professional Series that we contract like the Russian Ballet or Glenn Miller Orchestra; corporate rentals; and partnership programs with producers that are a split the revenue and general rentals. Examples: Republican presidential debate, PBS taping of Pavlo Live, Cats, Triangle Foundation Comedy Festival, Ford Motor new product launch, Arab Comedy Show, Bryan Adams in concert, WYCD Ten Man County Jam, Dearborn Symphony, Concert Ministries, the list goes on.

When it come to our professional series, as a government organization, we are not for profit, so each show is priced very affordably and parking is always free.

An interesting fact: Current Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. has two theater degrees. So he is very supportive.

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS:

Theater Name: Michael Guido Theater

Business address (including zip code): 15801 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126

Performance address (including zip code): Same as above

Web address: www.dearbornfordcenter.com

Business office phone (including area code): 313-943-4467

Business office hours of operation: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Box office phone (including area code): 313-943-2354

Box office hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and one hour before each performance.

In what year was your theater established: 2001

Company's founders: City owned. Former Mayor Michael A. Guido was the driving force to establish theater.

Current leaders or management team: Martin Zbosnik, cultural arts and theater manager.

Is your theater a non-profit, tax-exempt organization? Yes.

Is your theater wheelchair accessible? Yes.

During which months of the year does your season run? September-May

How many main stage productions do you offer each season? Two in house.

How many OTHER productions or programs do you offer each season? 150

How many seats does your theater have? 1,200

TICKET INFORMATION:

What type(s) of seating is offered to your patrons (ex: general admission, reserved, etc)? We have our own box office and internet ticketing for both reserved or general admission.

In general, what is the price range for your non-discounted main stage tickets (exclusive of service charges and other fees)? $15-$49

Are there service charges or other fees added to the price of the tickets? And if so, what are those charges and fees? Box office service fee of $2

In general, what is the price range for your OTHER programs and services? Varies by program.

Do you offer subscriptions to your main stage season? Our professional series offers discounts of 20%-30%.

Do you offer discounts to senior citizens (and if so, what are the details)? No.

Do you offer discounts to students (and if so, what are the details)? Yes, varies by show.

Do you offer group discounts (and if so, what are the details)? Groups of 10 or more: 10%; 20 or more: 20%.

For ticket purchases, does your theater accept personal checks? Yes

For ticket purchases, does your theater accept credit or debit cards? Visa, Mastercard, American Express accepted.

Can tickets to your shows be purchased online - and if so, how? www.dearbornfordcenter.com.