Purple Rose Theatre Company

The Purple Rose Theatre Company (or PRTC) was founded by Jeff Daniels in 1991. Originally known as the Garage Theatre, 'The Rose' takes its name from 1985 film The Purple Rose of Cairo starring Daniels. The theatre provides resources for training actors, playwrights and other theatre artists residing in the Midwest region and develops new plays based on life in the Great Lakes Basin, USA.
The main performance space and administrative offices occupy a building in Chelsea, Michigan once owned by Daniels' grandfather. The theatre produces four shows a year on a 3/4 thrust stage in a 168 seat house. The PRTC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and operates under a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) Agreement with the Actors' Equity Association (AEA).
Apprentice program
The Purple Rose offers a year-long apprenticeship program for young artists entering a career in theatre. Apprentices are paid a 'modest stipend' and work as many as 60-80 hours per week gaining experience in lighting, sound, stage management, design, set construction, and administrative/box office work. The seven apprentices also maintain and clean the theatre's facilities. The program was inspired by Jeff Daniels' experience as an apprentice with the Circle Repertory Company in New York City.
Production history
Asterisks (*) denote a world premiere
2012-2013
Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts
The Meaning of Almost Everything * by Jeff Daniels
33 Variations by Moisés Kaufman
Miles & Ellie * by Don Zolidis
2011-2012
Escanaba in da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels
A Stone Carver by William Mastrosimone
White Buffalo * by Don Zolidis
On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson
2010-2011
Best of Friends * by Jeff Daniels
Corktown * by Michael Brian Ogden
Some Couples May... * by Carey Crim
Consider the Oyster * by David MacGregor
2009-2010
Escanaba * by Jeff Daniels
Gravity * by David MacGregor
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti
2008-2009
Apartment 3A by Jeff Daniels
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Bleeding Red * by Michael Brian Ogden
Wake * by Carey Crim
2007 - 2008
The Poetry of Pizza * by Deborah Brevoort
Vino Veritas * by David MacGregor
Growing Pretty * by Carey Crim
Panhandle Slim and the Oklahoma Kid * by Jeff Daniels
2006 - 2007
Escanaba In Love * by Jeff Daniels
The Subject Was Roses by Frank D. Gilroy
When The Lights Come On * by Brian Letscher
Sea of Fools * by Matt Letscher
2005 - 2006
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Guest Artist * by Jeff Daniels
The Late Great Henry Boyle by David MacGregor
Honus & Me by Steven Dietz
2004 - 2005
The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlam
Norma & Wanda * by Jeff Daniels
Bus Stop by William Inge
And The Winner Is * by Mitch Albom
2003 - 2004
The Good Doctor by Neil Simon
Leaving Iowa * by Tim Clue & Spike Manton
The Underpants by Carl Sternheim (Adapted by Steve Martin)
Duck Hunter Shoots Angel * by Mitch Albom
2002 - 2003
Across the Way * by Jeff Daniels
Stand * by Toni Press-Coffman
Hope for Corky * by Randall Godwin
Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward
2001 - 2002
Guys On Ice by Fred Alley & Frederick Heide
Months on End * by Craig Pospisil
Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin
Let It Be * by Dennis North
2000 - 2001
Rain Dance * by Lanford Wilson
Orphan Train * by Dennis North
Completing Dahlia * by Annie Martin
1999 - 2000
closed for renovations
1998 - 1999
Boom Town * by Jeff Daniels
The Hole * by Wendy Hammond
The Big Slam by Bill Corbett
Criminal Genius by George F. Walker
1997 - 1998
Escanaba in da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels
Julie Johnson by Wendy Hammond
Book of Days * by Lanford Wilson
Marcus is Walking by Joan Ackermann
1996 - 1997
Apartment 3A * by Jeff Daniels
Labor Day * by Kim Carney
The Hot L Baltimore by Lanford Wilson
Off the Map by Joan Ackermann
1995 - 1996
Escanaba in da Moonlight * by Jeff Daniels
Beast on the Moon by Richard Kalinoski
The Purple Rose Spring Comedy Festival * by various playwrights
The Harmony Codes * by Michael Grady
1994 - 1995
Thy Kingdom's Coming * by Jeff Daniels
Only Me and You * by Kim Carney
Hang the Moon * by Suzanne Burr
Weekend Comedy by Jean & Sam Bobrick
1993 - 1994
The Vast Difference * by Jeff Daniels
Two Sisters* by T.E. Williams
Keely and Du by Jane Martin
Stanton's Garage by Joan Ackermann
1992 - 1993
Possessed: The Dracula Musical * by Robert Marasco, Jason Darrow & Carter Cathcart
Necessities by Velina Hasu Houston
National Anthems by Dennis McIntyre
Nooner * by Joan Ackermann
1991 - 1992
Kuru by Josh C. Manheimer
Ties That Bind * by Kitty S. Dubin
More Fun Than Bowling by Steven Dietz
The Tropical Pickle * by Jeff Daniels
1991 (First Season)
Blush at Nothing * by Lisa A. Wing
Shoe Man * by Jeff Daniels

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