Our Capital Campaign for the Future

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“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

- William Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice)

White Lake Dramatic Club production of Charles P. Seager’s “Camouflage” in the early 1900s

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The ghost light. Always on. Always lighting the way. If

you have spent any time in a theater, you are familiar

with this solitary sentry illuminating an empty stage. Part

functionality and part folklore, the ghost light protects actors

and crew from tripping over a prop, missing a stair, or falling

headlong off the edge of the stage. It is also said that the

ghost light protects the spirits known to haunt theaters. If

you have heard the tale of our Lavender Lady, then you know

you are never truly alone in the Playhouse.

The ghost light also connects everything that happens in a

theater. It stands alone, waiting for the director, set designer,

lighting crew, costume designer, make-up crew and actors –

all the players who breathe life into the performance. And

when the curtains are drawn, when the set is struck and the

floors are swept, when the world of make believe fades into

memory and the house lights draw us back to the here and

now, the ghost light returns to its post.

For 100 years our ghost light has helped connect

everything and everyone at the Playhouse. From patron

to performer, from philanthropist to producer, we are all

connected. Without us, the Playhouse is merely a building

with a solitary ghost light throwing its beams across the stage.

If you are reading this, you are connected to the

Playhouse. You are someone who can light the way for the

next 100 years.

Yes, our Playhouse is 100 years old, and it needs our help.

Our vision plan outlines all the renovations and repairs –

“I enjoy knowing the children will get a more enriched life by having this beautiful theater in our small town.”  

–Jason Zamojcin, Montague Patron and parent of a youth theatre performer

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from wiring to plumbing to expansion – and the time is now

to make this happen.

Please continue reading to find out more about how you can

help. Along the way, you will see familiar names, familiar

faces. We are, after all, a community of theater, and this truly

is our Playhouse, our good deed in a weary world. Thank you

for the role you play, and thank you for being connected.

“What a challenge to try and fit my feelings about the Howmet Playhouse into just a couple of sentences! My family and I love the Howmet Playhouse because of the intimate experience we get when we attend a show there. Whether we’re there for a comedy, tragedy, concert, or movie …we feel like “A-list insiders” that have been invited to an exclusive gathering.”

-Ron Derby, Blue Lake Township Derby Designs

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Repairs and Revisions:Building for the next 100 yearsThe list is long, and at 120 pages, the 2016 Vision Plan is

even longer. Regardless of the challenge, we know the value

that the Playhouse brings to the White Lake area, and we

now know the work that needs to be done. With your help,

this detailed plan will come to fruition and our Playhouse

will sparkle once again.

“The Howmet Playhouse is a lovely little theater. With the improvement and updates

that are being suggested, the Playhouse will continue to be an important, pertinent

part of the White Lake community. With some cosmetic and functional additions to the

lobby area, it will continue to be a warm, inviting venue. With the additions that will

be made to the backstage areas and stage space, it will be a wonderful place to perform.

Given an investment of time, money, and love, the Howmet Playhouse can continue as

a viable performance venue for the next 100 years.”- Bill Ebeling, Ann Arbor

Great Lakes Theatrical Consulting

The recommendations were

developed by Ed Francis of

the Resendes Design Group in

Detroit, a nationally recognized

theater renovation architecture

firm famous for the Fox and

Frauenthal theaters.

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If there is an area of interest to you – dressing rooms, stage

repair, handicap accessibility – please contact Beth Beaman,

Managing Director for the Playhouse. If you can help the

Playhouse, we want to help you give to what matters most for

you, your family, your business, your legacy. Thank you!

See more floor plan options in the full 2016 vision plan at: howmetplayhouse.org

Vision Plan OverviewWelcoming visitors since 1916, the community has a long-

standing history of supporting the Playhouse. Our capital

campaign goal is $3.6 million. The capital campaign proposal

provides for an addition that includes a larger lobby, box

office, accessible bathrooms, larger dressing rooms, and stage-

to-lobby access.

Additional renovations will be made to make the theater

more comfortable, accessible, and safe by paving the parking

lot, providing accessible seating in various locations in the

house, and updating the heating and cooling systems. All of

these improvements will bring the Playhouse into the 21st

century and allow for expanded, year-round programming.

“The Playhouse is that place in town where you walk in, marvel at its place in time, eyes adjust to the dimming prior to the most current and relevant shows, and you discover you’re surrounded by all of your neighbors and friends. These experiences are not duplicated in many other places. It’s magical.”

-Dan & Jen Hain, Whitehall Fetch Brewing Company

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Naming OpportunitiesPlease contact Beth Beaman or Frank Bednarek to create

the gift that will help you connect to your Playhouse.

Beth Beaman, Managing Director

231.894.4048 • playhousemanager@cityofwhitehall.org

www.howmetplayhouse.org

Frank Bednarek

231.740.2212 • fbednarek@aol.com

Our 2016 Vision Plan provides a number of giving

opportunities to ensure the future of the Playhouse.

Please take a look at our giving levels to find the path that is

right for you.

Giving LevelsInner Circle $500,000 and above

Executive Producer $250,000 to $499,999

Producer $100,000 to $249,999

Director $50,000 to $99,999

Star $25,000 to $49,999

Actor $5,000 to $24,999

Impresario $1,000 to $4,999

Agent $500 to $999

Crew $1 to $499

“Look around the playhouse

auditorium before the show.

People chat anxiously. Listen to

their hushed awe as the stage

manager lowers the houselights.

Community theaters benefit not

just the audience, but the entire

community. They nurture new

artists. Shy children improve

their communication skills. Folks

meet new friends. Take it from

the late, great Edna Bloomdahl:

‘The Playhouse needs to be here. A

small theater in our community

is unique and important. It is so

perfect for a small town. Essential

to our life.’”

-Bill Iddings, MuskegonChairman, Friends of the

Playhouse

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Capital Campaign CabinetSo many friends. So many giving people who make the Playhouse come to life day after day.

There is always room for another friend. Please join us. Co-chairs

• Frank Bednarek

• Jon Blyth

• Jan Deur

• Thomas Spencer

Honorary Co-chairs

• Emery “Mac” Hatch

• John Hilt

• Holly Hughes

• Ken Mahoney

• Terry Sabo

• Edd Whalen

Friends of the Playhouse Committee

• Frank Bednarek

• Jon Blyth

• Dee Briegel

• Jan Deur

• Alice Gambel

Cabinet Members

• Beth Beaman

• Dee Briegel

• Anne Dake

• Alice Gambel

• John Gerig

• Kimberly Harsch

• Greg Hillebrand

• Bill Iddings

• Dee Jasick

• Heather O’Connell

• Mary Payne

• Irene Pierson

City of Whitehall Staff

• Laurie Audo

• Brenda Bourdon

• Scott Huebler

• Alyssa Seaver

Whitehall City Council

• Tanya Cabala

• Dick Connell

• Ellie Dennis

• Debi Hillebrand

• Jeff Holmstrom

• Steve Salter, Mayor Pro Tem

• Edd Whalen, Mayor

Howmet Playhouse

• Beth Beaman, Managing Director

• Claire Beaman

• Katie Beaman

• Tyler Frank

• Aidan Smith

• Roger Scharmer

• Tom Smrcina

• Mary Kay Specht

• Kevin Spencer

• Lynne Spencer

• Kathy West

• Doug Zwemer

• Jennifer Zwemer

• Kimberly Harsch

• Bill Iddings

• Heather O’Connell

• Irene Pierson

• Roger Scharmer

• Lynne Spencer

• Thomas Spencer

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“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

- Buddha

304 S. Mears Ave, Whitehall, MI, 49461 (231) 894-4048www.howmetplayhouse.org