David L. Regal is artistic director of the UDM Theatre Company.

Meet UDM Theatre Company

By Donald V. Calamia

What is your theater's mission statement?

The UDM Theatre Company and Performing Arts Department embodies and practices the University of Detroit Mercy's mission which "seeks to integrate the intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of students" and our audiences.

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

To build our audience and stay in business during these tough economic times.

To produce quality productions that develop our students on stage and off while working with guest artists and providing our audience with thoughtful work.

To develop a student stage performance space on the McNichols Campus that will continue to stretch our students.

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

To obtain a performance space on the UDM McNichols' campus.

To continue to support the interface of local professional theatre artists in development of our students.

To continue to seek out plays that speak to the community about contemporary issues that are found within our society.

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

The UDM Theatre Company has a 39-year history of presenting award-winning professional theater in southeast Michigan. The UDM Theatre Company is really two separate organizations: The first is our professional theater, which produces our theatrical productions each year, and the second is our academic programming with the University of Detroit Mercy.

Each season we produce multiple quality productions that highlight not only the students in our academic program, but professional artists throughout southeast Michigan in our professional theater. The UDM Theatre Company has a long tradition of hiring guest artists to perform roles that are not age appropriate for our students. These guest artists are often hired under AEA (Actors' Equity) contracts.

Our entire theater staff has professional affiliations through AEA, the Screen Actors Guild and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. Each year our staff also works in other other professional theaters across the country.

We are proud to give the students of our academic program the opportunity to work along side of professionals in our professional theater. This experience gives them performing opportunities off-stage and, most importantly, on-stage and prepares them for a life-long career in the arts.

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

The UDM Theatre Company's tradition is to produce cutting-edge and socially conscience works that combine a mix of plays that give our students and our audiences a well-rounded experience in varies styles and periods.

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

Through the years we have produced student-enriched performances based on American classics and many projects dealing with local historical and social issues.

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

Through invitation and auditing, the general public and industry professionals can participate in the existing frame work of the department's course offers. Individual study is also available with senior faculty of the Performing Arts Department.

Is your theater an Equity (union) company?

Yes, when casting guest artists.

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

Best person for the role. Auditions are open to the public. Being a student inside of our program does not mean you are assured a role. Competition in auditions is something students must experience before setting out in the real world.

How does an actor go about arranging an audition?

Check our Web site, call our business office or check local theater audition Web sites to find when auditions are. Join our Facebook fan page and receive messages when auditions are.

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?

We do not offer a formal apprenticeship or internship program, but our students inside of the Performing Arts Department are apprentices in the sense that they are developing their skills in the profession.

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

We encourage new scripts. Send all new scripts The UDM Theatre Company attention Greg Grobis, general manager.

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

We believe we have a wonderful mix of plays this season! With the Michigan premiere of Lee Blessing's The Wining Streak and being one of the first universities to perform The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, we are off to a terrific 09-10 season start!

Recent Tragic Events will give us an opportunity to discuss the events of 9/11 and how it is still affecting our lives.

The final main stage production, Bleacher Bums is sure to bring laughs back into the theater as we collide theater and baseball head-on.

We have devoted ourselves to a new project, which is our added fifth production called Unheard Voices. Being written by the UDM Theatre community and directed by retiring faculty member Yolanda Fleischer, the play will address the issues and problems of the overwhelming epidemic of the homeless in Southeast Michigan. Unheard Voices will be a benefit production for our local homeless shelters.

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS:

Theater name: UDM Theatre Company

Business address: UDM Theatre Company, Reno 043, 4001 W McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48221

Performance address: Marygrove Theatre, 8425 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48221

Web address: http://theatre.udmercy.edu

Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/udmtheatre

Twitter name: UDMTheatre

Business office phone: 313-993-3273

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

Box office phone: 313-993-3270

Box office hours of operation: Tuesday-Friday, noon - 5 p.m.

In what year was your theater established: 1970

Company's founders: Dr. James Rodgers, Dominic Missimi, David L. Regal, Harold Thrasher, Nancy Missimi

Current leaders or management team: Melinda Pacha, David L. Regal, Greg Grobis

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 - April

How many main stage productions do you offer each season? Four (4)

How many OTHER productions or programs do you offer each season? Other productions vary each year. Our 2009-10 Season brings a fifth Main Stage production and two smaller productions on the UDM McNichols campus.

We are also developing other programming that allows local artists and our alumni to perform on campus for students and the community.

How many seats does your theater have? 400

TICKET INFORMATION:

In general, what is the price range for your non-discounted main stage tickets (exclusive of service charges and other fees)? $16-$20

Are there service charges or other fees added to the price of the tickets? And if so, what are those charges and fees? For all non-subscriber orders there is a $3 service fee.

In general, what is the price range for your OTHER programs and services? Varies. Often times our other programming is free or by donation only.

Do you offer subscriptions to your main stage season? Yes

Do you offer discounts to senior citizens (and if so, what are the details)? Anyone over the age of 55 can receive the discount rate to any of our shows! Plays would be $13 and musicals would be $16. Please note a $3 process fee for all non-subscriber orders.

Do you offer discounts to students (and if so, what are the details)? We offer incredible discounts for students: Season Flex Pass for all shows: $20 Best Deal!

Individual tickets:

• Student Play ticket: $9 plus fee
• Student Musical ticket: $13 plus fee
• UDM/MG student play ticket: $5 plus fee
• UDM/MG student musical ticket: $9 plus fee

Do you offer group discounts (and if so, what are the details)? We do offer group discount rates. We encourage groups to contact the general manager directly to work out the best possible rate for your group.

We generally off group discounts to groups 10 (ten) or more. We offer one FREE ticket for every 10 purchased and we also give groups a more discounted rate.

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

For ticket purchases, does your theater accept credit or debit cards? We accept all major credit credits (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express)

Can tickets to your shows be purchased online - and if so, how? Tickets can be reserved online at http://theatre.udmercy.edu or http://liberalarts.udmercy.edu/programs/depts/performing_arts/theatre/tickets/ticket_inquiry/index.htm

By filling out and submitting the form, we will reserve your tickets for you. We will contact you for payment information within 48 hours.

ABOUT DAVID L. REGAL:

David L. Regal is a founder of the UDM's Theatre Company. Graduating from the first MFA class of the Hilberry Theatre at Wayne State University, Regal took a leading role in developing the Theatre Company at UDM. Regal is currently the artistic director of the Theatre Company where he acts, directs and

teaches. Regal has performed across the country and has won numerous awards, including Best Actor, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and the Lee Hills Award. Tim Allen, Keegan Michael Key and David Patrick Kelly, among many others, credit Regal with being their acting coach. Regal's other credits include the artistic director of Meadow Brook Theatre.

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