September 30th, 2022
Dear Jewish Ensemble Theatre Community,
It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of the Jewish Ensemble Theatre, JET, announces after two and one-half years of Covid-19 the sunsetting of this prolific organization.
The 501-C -3 not for profit organization was established in 1989 by Evelyn Orbach, Mary Lou Zieve and Henrietta Hermelin Weinberg as a professional theatre contracted with Actors’ Equity Association. The Jewish Ensemble Theatre was the longest continuously running Jewish professional theatre in North America.
For over 30 years, JET produced 4 or 5 plays a year with the mission:
To produce theatre of the highest professional standards and to provide a stage for the exploration of ideas that confront issues of humanity and community from a Jewish perspective. The Jewish Ensemble Theatre served as a force for Jewish continuity, a platform for new voices, and a bridge of understanding to the general community.
During its existence, JET reached over 1 million children with its anti-bullying in-school performances and its annual production of “The Diary of Anne Frank”. In fact, JET produced that play more than any other theatre in the world and is proud to have impacted the lives of so many generations in our community.
As we close the doors, the Board wishes to thank our donors, partners, volunteers and patrons as well as the entire community who over the last 33 years provided kind and loving support.
Sincerely,
Christopher Bremer Dr. Phoebe Mainster
Executive Director President
Three Ways to Support Anne Frank
About Us
Located in Downtown Walled Lake, Michigan, The Jewish Ensemble Theatre (JET) is one of the longest running professional, Equity theatres in the state. JET provides main stage productions in its immersive theatre for adult audiences from spring until late fall.
In addition to professional live theatre, JET's Dorfman Family Foundation Youth Theatre tours area schools each year with four, anti-bullying shows for K-12th grade audiences. To date, over 800,000 students have taken part in these programs. JET also is proud to partner with the Detroit Institute of Arts each year to produce The Diary of Anne Frank, which is now in its 25th year. In 2020, JET launched its national tour of this production with student matinees in Phoenix, Arizona. No other theatre in the world has produced The Diary of Anne Frank more than JET.
Since its inception, The Jewish Ensemble Theatre has used its stage to explore and confront issues of humanity. As a theatre of social conscience, we have stood--and will always stand--for inclusion, fairness, justice, and most importantly, equality.
Bigotry, racism, intolerance, discrimination, and prejudice in society is intolerable, which is why JET has worked for 33 years to educate our youth and engage our audiences in these vital issues. JET will continue to honor its guiding principles in this regard.
Funder Report
Accessibility
Board of Directors
Our board represents a broad spectrum of backgrounds. Click here to view our list of board members.
SMU DataArts makes data useful and accessible to all in the arts and culture field. View our annual report from the Cultural Data Project.
All individuals with obvious or non-obvious disabilities or chronic health conditions are able to fully engage with JET Theatre. Click here to read more.
GuideStar
GuideStar is the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. View JET’s Guidestar profile, where we've received a Platinum level of transparency.
Diversity
JET is built on a legacy of acceptance of all people regardless of religion, race, gender identity, disability, or sexual preference. View our diversity statement here.
Mission Statement
The Jewish Ensemble Theatre was established in 1989 to produce theatre of the highest professional standards and to provide a stage for the exploration of ideas that confront issues of humanity and community from a Jewish perspective. The Jewish Ensemble Theatre serves as a force for Jewish continuity, a platform for new voices, and a bridge of understanding to the general community.
Board of Directors
President
Dr. Phoebe Mainster*
Vice President
Mary Lou Zieve*
Executive Members at Large
Susie Citrin
Suzanne Curtis
Elizabeth Pernick*
Board of Directors
Patty Ceresnie
Karen Couf Cohen
Rosalind Fink
Sally Ginn
Arline Gould
Marcia Kahn
Gail K. Mayer
Melinda Nagler
Sidney Simon
Robert Sklar
Suzi Terebelo
Roberta Toll
Lynch Travis
Henrietta Hermelin Weinberg
Debora Zazaian
Linda Zlotoff
Executive Director
Christopher Bremer
Immediate Past President
Elaine Sturman*
Treasurer
Wendy Kohlenberg
Founding Artistic Director Emeritus
Evelyn Orbach (OBM)
Advisory Committee
Jim August*
Thomas August*
Joel Dorfman*
Bryant Frank*
Jonathan Frank*
Dr. Conrad Giles
Doreen Hermelin
Dr. Harris Mainster
Carol Nederlander
Barbara Nusbaum
Rona Rones
Bluma Siegal
Louis Tann
David Tisdale
*Past Presidents
**Parliamentarian
Youth Programs
Anti Bullying Tours
Over 800,000 students have taken part in JET's Anti-bullying Program. These interactive programs come right to your school and include study guides and discussions with students.
The Diary of Anne Frank
For over 29 years, JET has produced "The Diary of Anne Frank" for student audiences. In 2020, over 11,000 students attended the matinees at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and 4,500 students in Phoenix, AZ attended our first national tour of the play in what will now be an annual event.
Meet The Administrative Team
Christopher Bremer
Executive Director
In 1993, Bremer (he/him) became Production Manager for ECA/Mr. Wizard shows where he would produce, direct, and in some cases perform over 4,000 shows annually in elementary and middle schools. In 1999 he became Managing Director of JET Theatre. In 2005 Bremer was selected as one of the five best directors in metropolitan Detroit by the Detroit Free Press. He has been nominated for best director by the Detroit Free Press, the Oakland Press, and Between the Lines.
c.bremer@jettheatre.org
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
ON STAGE
No Other Theatre in the World has Produced it More…
For over 29 years, JET has produced "The Diary of Anne Frank" for student audiences. In 2020, over 11,000 students attended the matinees at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and 4,500 students in Phoenix, AZ attended our first national tour of the play in what will now be an annual event.
Over 200,000 students have participated in this life-changing, theatrical experience, and it is scheduled to return to the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield, MI March 7-18, 2022 and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Arizona Jan 31-Feb 11, 2022.
A CONVERSATION WITH ANNE FRANK
An Original, Virtual Classroom Experience
In order to continue to deliver the message of tolerance and hope to our student participants, JET has developed an original, virtual production, A Conversation with Anne Frank.
In collaboration with educators, technicians, performers, and an award-winning playwright, JET is able to bring Anne Frank herself into the lives of students in their own homes or classrooms. This interactive experience is designed to not only educate, but to allow the students to share their own experiences of isolation, discrimination, and growing up in a challenging world.
Developed during the pandemic of 2020, A Conversation with Anne Frank will continue to be offered to schools throughout the country as an in-classroom experience.
To book your classroom,
call (248) 249-4568
The Diary of Anne Frank
ARIZONA
JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 11, 2022
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 E. 2nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
MICHIGAN
MARCH 7 - 18, 2022
Berman Center for the
Performing Arts
6600 W Maple Rd
West Bloomfield Twp, MI 48322
It's never too late to stop the hate...
Over 800,000 students have taken part in JET's Anti-bullying Program. For over 20 years, JET's Dorfman Family Foundation Youth Theatre has brought age-appropriate anti-bullying shows to schools throughout Michigan. These interactive programs come right to your school and include study guides and discussions with students.
FOUR DIFFERENT SHOWS:
Elementary School:
I Was Just Kidding
Middle School:
Word
Mean Girls
Middle through
High School:
Shame
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Dean Draughn, Crescent Academy
"The 2-5th grades were happy and enjoyed the show... it was funny and engaging... Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this. We hope to participate next year."
Auditions
JET is a union theatre which means that we have a contract with Actors' Equity Association. Both union and non-union roles are available each season, and all actors are encouraged to audition.
All roles are paid positions, and each production will have different audition requirements.
For more information about working at JET, please call 248-249-4568.
Additional Opportunities
We are always seeking union and non union actors for JETFest, the Seymour J. and Ethel S. Frank Festival of New Plays. If you are interested in working with us, please send a headshot and resume to administration@jettheatre.org.
The Seymour J. and Ethel S. Frank
Festival of New Plays
JETFest
Deadline has PASSED for 2022
Submissions for the 2023 PlayFest open January 1st, 2022
FEES
$15 non-refundable submission fee.
Checks and money orders should be made payable to “JET Theatre.” Contact the theatre should you wish to pay by credit card.
ELIGIBILITY
JET encourages all playwrights 18 and over to submit their work. JET's main stage programming is wide-ranging, including comedies, dramas, and plays that often reflect issues of family, community, and humanity. Use our past productions as a guide and if you have questions, contact us at 248-788-2900.
Entry must be a full-length original work or adaptation with a minimum running time of 85 minutes that has not been produced prior to the festival in 2023. Maximum cast size of 10. Staged readings/workshop productions are not disqualifying factors.
ENTRIES ACCEPTED
Submissions will be accepted January 1, 2022 - April 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM, verified by time stamp.
SCRIPTS
Email: Attach a PDF file of your script, and a second PDF file that includes a cover letter, character list/descriptions, scene breakdown, brief synopsis, playwright bio, and contact information. Musicals must include either mp3 files or links to unlisted video. Email to: administration@jettheatre.org by 11:59 pm, April 30, 2022. No email submission will be considered without payment of the submission fee.
Please note that entries that do not comply with our guidelines will not be accepted.
CONSENT
The playwright gives the JET Theatre permission to print scripts for reading/production purposes. Should your script be selected as one of the finalists, you are encouraged to attend the readings and talk backs. Finalists must acknowledge JET if the script is published.
AWARDS
Each of the four finalists will receive a $250 honorarium. No other expenses will be paid.
SELECTION PROCESS
Each entry is guaranteed a minimum of 2 evaluations. The committee narrows down the entries to 15 – 20, which are read by the entire committee who then select the finalists.
NOTIFICATION
Finalists will be notified no later than December 31, 2022.
SUBMIT TO
QUESTIONS?
248.249.4568
INDEMNIFICATION
The Playwright/Submitter agrees (by submission) to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the JET Theatre, its Adjudicators, Board of Directors and volunteers from any and all damages, liability, and claims, arising from the submission, production or elimination/disqualification of their submitted work.
Donate
There are many ways to support JET, and any gift you make is appreciated. JET is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. JET also accepts donations of clothing, jewelry, art, some furnishings, and other items that we can use in our productions.
If you wish to make a donation, please call 248-249-4568 or email c.bremer@jettheatre.org.
JET'S STATEMENT OF ACCESSIBILITY
100% ADA Compliant
JET is proudly 100% ADA compliant, including restrooms, entrances, parking, and seating.
Seating
JET Theatre maintains a handicap accessible space. From a patron's car to the theatre, there are no curbs or steps. We have no fixed seating in our theatre, allowing us to accommodate anyone.
Listening Devices
JET has hearing assistance devises available for any show you wish to see. Please call the box office at 248-249-4568 for more information.
JET'S STATEMENT OF DIVERSTIY
JET is built on a legacy of acceptance of all people regardless of religion, race, gender identity, disability, or sexual preference.
Currently, theatres and other arts organizations are examining their own complicity through indifference to issues of systemic discrimination within the creative industry.
The Board of Directors and the Administration of the JET Theatre adhere to proactive parameters to ensure that we remain productive allies to those who have been marginalized.
As we return to normal operations, we will continue to work with experts in the industry and will have guidelines in place when we resume our regular professional theatre season.
Contact Us
JET Theatre
P.O. Box 252717
West Bloomfield, Mi 48325
248-249-4568
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
10 am to 3 pm
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Theatre for Everyone!
