About Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts
Established in 1926, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the nation.
Our Mission
Inspire creativity and personal growth, Illuminate our common humanity, and Ignite connection across our community… through the power of Theatre Arts.
Our Vision
We aspire to see a future where Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is a…
- Nationally recognized community theatre and with broad educational and performance offerings,
- Highly valued community asset activating innovative arts partnerships, and a
- Place that invests in local artists, where everyone feels a sense of belonging
OUR VALUES
EXCELLENCE
Pursue our work passionately; aim for the highest standard.
INCLUSION
Create a space where everyone feels valued and included.
COLLABORATION
Partner with others, foster connections and seek feedback.
INTEGRITY
Be honest, transparent, and ethical in everything we do.
INNOVATION
Try new ways of doing things; improve every day.
OUR HISTORY
Born in the Roaring Twenties, the “Civic Players” began producing four plays annually in the St. Cecilia Auditorium in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1935, the organization officially changed it’s name to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, and soon had over 1,600 season ticket holders and drew audiences of over 4,000 to each of six shows annually. The theatre continued to maintain itself through decades of economic and social changes.
During the 1960s, the Civic Theatre experienced unprecedented growth and emerged as one of the country’s strongest community theatres. By the end of the decade, in a cooperative venture with the Grand Rapids Public Schools, the Civic began offering theatre classes to young people and further strengthened it’s position in the community.
Today, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts is the 5th largest community theatre in the country. We produce 9 mainstage productions each year with the help of over 800 talented volunteers who do everything from singing, dancing and acting, to building sets, sewing, ushering, and so much more. We truly are your community theatre!
The award-winning Civic School of Theatre Arts has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community theatre education programs in the country. We provide excellent training in all aspects of theatre life for over 1,600 students annually. The Civic School of Theatre Arts has played a significant role through the years in successfully preparing students to participate in local community theatre, and has even helped to inspire professional careers in all areas of theatre production.
Our Facility
Our home since 1979 is comprised of four historic buildings, the Wenham Building (1878), the Hull Building (1890), the Botsford Building (1892), and the Meijer Majestic Theatre (1903). In 2004, local business leader Fred Meijer approached Grand Action about renovating the dated facility. The renovation, completed in September 2006, culminated with honoring the lead gift by renaming the theatre “Meijer Majestic Theatre.”
For more information on the 2006 renovation and the donors who made this transformation possible, visit the Theatre’s main lobby.
Take a virtual tour of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
Our Board
The Governance of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts is a volunteer Board of Directors. Members represent many community businesses and organizations who are dedicated to supporting a community with a rich arts and cultural life. The Board of Directors represents a diverse range of experiences, views, knowledge, and passion for theatre and education.
Brett Karhoff (Chairperson) – Hungerford
Amy Kam (Vice-Chair) – Mercantile Bank
Gretchen Mousel (Treasurer) – Heart of West MI United Way
Chelsea Austin (Secretary) – Miller Johnson
Narisa Bandali – Bissell Homecare, Inc.
Alexandra Breen – Bissell Homecare, Inc.
Chriscynethia Floyd – Our Daily Bread Ministries
Joel Freeman – Fishbeck
Kaylee Hanson – LMCU
Blythe Kazmierczak – Blythe Talent
Kyle Kimble – RE/MAX of Grand Rapids
Amanda Kirchoff – Wolverine Worldwide
Kate Landis – Farm Bureau Insurance
Mallory McKnight – Corewell Health
Kara Peltier – Acrisure
Hunter Reams – Miller Johnson
Emily Rucker – Warner Norcross + Judd
Tami Sytsma – Sytsma Wealth Strategies
OUR STAFF
LEADERSHIP
Erik Wolenberg
Executive Director
e.wolenberg@grct.org | (616) 222-6654
Bruce Tinker
Artistic Director
betinker@grct.org | (616) 222-6652
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jenna Betka-Pope | Director of Education and Outreach
Jessica Burke | Director of Audience Experience
Catherine Marlett-Dreher | Production Manager
Noddea Skidmore | Director of Marketing and Communications
Kimberly Vincent | Director of Development
PRODUCTION
Jennifer Lothian
Costume Designer
j.lothian@grct.org | (616) 222-6651
Malcolm Campbell
Technical Director
m.campbell@grct.org | (616) 222-6657
Don Wilson
Scenic Designer
d.wilson@grct.org | (616) 222-6659
Kat Blakeslee
Associate Scenic Designer
k.blakeslee@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6021
Catherine Marlett-Dreher
Lighting Designer/Production Manager
cmdreher@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6664
Michael Wilson
Properties Master
michaelwilsonprops@yahoo.com | (616) 222-6650 x6655
Sam Johnson-Begay
Sound Designer
s.johnson@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6664
ACCOUNTING
Amy Nichols
Accountant
anichols@grct.org | (616) 222-6600
VOLUNTEERS
Nolan Patin
Volunteer Coordinator
n.patin@grct.org | (616) 222-6371
SCHOOL OF THEATRE ARTS
Deb Wright
School Administrator
dwright@grct.org | (616) 222-6653
Jenna Betka-Pope
Director of Education and Outreach
jbetkapope@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6672
Jared Graybiel
Outreach Manager
j.graybiel@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6676
Josh Kurchinski
Education and Marketing Coordinator
j.kurchinski@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6675
DEVELOPMENT
Kim Vincent
Director of Development
k.vincent@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6667
McKenzie Rounds
Philanthropy Manager
m.rounds@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6658
MARKETING
Noddea Skidmore
Director of Marketing and Communications
n.skidmore@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6681
Josh Kurchinski
Education and Marketing Coordinator
j.kurchinski@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6675
AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE
Jessica Burke
Director of Audience Experience
j.burke@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6678
Max Luke
Audience Experience Coordinator
m.luke@grct.org | (616) 222-6650 x6670
Kit Schwartz
Customer Service Associate
tickets@grct.org | (616) 222-6650
HOUSE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Xaryia Carson
Guy Cormier
Lauren Heyboer
Glyde Hart King
Katie Ouding
Bill Reynolds
Quiana Thompson
Emily VanDyk
Jessie West
Abby Bork
Our Programming
As a community theatre, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre understands the importance of individuals feeling engaged to our mission. The Theatre’s focus is in providing experiences through highest quality performances, the award winning education programs and outreach. Our success can be measured by thousands of hours given by volunteers, the record setting ticket sales from our audiences, and ever important financial commitments of our supporters. These are the elements that make the Theatre a recognized cornerstone in the West Michigan arts and cultural community.