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.

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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.

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*

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Executive Members at Large

Susie Citrin

Suzanne Curtis

Elizabeth Pernick*

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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

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Executive Director

Christopher Bremer

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Immediate Past President

Elaine Sturman*

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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

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Youth Programs

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 

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) 788-2900

The Diary of Anne Frank

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ARIZONA

JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

7380 E. 2nd Street

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

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MICHIGAN

MARCH 7 - 18, 2022

Berman Center for the

Performing Arts

6600 W Maple Rd

West Bloomfield Twp, MI 48322​

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It's never too late to stop the hate...

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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

 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.

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All roles are paid positions, and each production will have different audition requirements.

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For more information about working at JET, please call 248-788-2900.

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 

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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

administration@jettheatre.org

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QUESTIONS?

248.788.2900

c.bremer@jettheatre.org

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.

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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 248-788-2900 or email c.bremer@jettheatre.org.
 

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 248-788-2900 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. 

JET Theatre

1124 E. West Maple Road

Walled Lake, MI  48390

248-788-2900

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Box Office Hours

Monday - Friday

10 am to 3 pm

and

One Hour Prior to Curtain on Show Days