Organizational History
Who We Are
Enter Stage Right (ESR) is a tax exempt community-based theatre under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with a year-round production calendar, theatre-based classes, workshops, and outreach for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The guiding principles of the company frame our actions around a commitment to community based professional quality theatre.
As community based, our goal is to portray a theatre that speaks to and from the community. Our actions are guided by feedback from our artists and audience members. As a 501 (c) (3), the community owns the assets of the company, so we want to make sure Port Huron gets the best return on its investment. Additionally, ESR practices community outreach in all programs it conducts with the specific purpose to engage harder to reach populations. Our participants range in age, ethnicity, religion, orientation, economic background, physical and mental ability. We consciously strive to be all inclusive for our company members as well as our audience.
The moniker of professional quality speaks to our company design, giving the public and our artists exposure to the best instruction, technology, and show experience possible. We are always analyzing how to up our game!
The Company Story
ESR's began with a partnership between Elaine Schatzline-Behr and Regina Spain. After heading up the Marysville Recreation Department’s theatre program for three years, they decided to start a venture of their own, forming ESR. Starting in the grand tradition of not for profit theatres (with no money), ESR’s first summer production had to get creative. The answer: a 2-week day camp for 3rd to 12th graders. The camp's small fee paid for insurance, cleaning supplies, and fabric for costumes. Everything else was donated - from the found performance space (a local warehouse) to all things in print (flyers, scripts, etc.). Even royalties were donated, as the script was written by an ESR co-founder.
The rest is history; honestly, you can read it in the company resume below. ESR continues to work to educate, innovate, and entertain our community. From the early days of the Dove Self Esteem Fund, to the inaugural Will on the Water, to the grand opening of the Citadel Stage - ESR is working to serve the community through theatre. We strive to push the limits of what a small not for profit company can do. Our success illustrates the support received from the Blue Water area, the vast group of people graciously donating their time, and the power of art to impact our friends and neighbors.
Enter Stage Right (ESR) is a tax exempt community-based theatre under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with a year-round production calendar, theatre-based classes, workshops, and outreach for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The guiding principles of the company frame our actions around a commitment to community based professional quality theatre.
As community based, our goal is to portray a theatre that speaks to and from the community. Our actions are guided by feedback from our artists and audience members. As a 501 (c) (3), the community owns the assets of the company, so we want to make sure Port Huron gets the best return on its investment. Additionally, ESR practices community outreach in all programs it conducts with the specific purpose to engage harder to reach populations. Our participants range in age, ethnicity, religion, orientation, economic background, physical and mental ability. We consciously strive to be all inclusive for our company members as well as our audience.
The moniker of professional quality speaks to our company design, giving the public and our artists exposure to the best instruction, technology, and show experience possible. We are always analyzing how to up our game!
The Company Story
ESR's began with a partnership between Elaine Schatzline-Behr and Regina Spain. After heading up the Marysville Recreation Department’s theatre program for three years, they decided to start a venture of their own, forming ESR. Starting in the grand tradition of not for profit theatres (with no money), ESR’s first summer production had to get creative. The answer: a 2-week day camp for 3rd to 12th graders. The camp's small fee paid for insurance, cleaning supplies, and fabric for costumes. Everything else was donated - from the found performance space (a local warehouse) to all things in print (flyers, scripts, etc.). Even royalties were donated, as the script was written by an ESR co-founder.
The rest is history; honestly, you can read it in the company resume below. ESR continues to work to educate, innovate, and entertain our community. From the early days of the Dove Self Esteem Fund, to the inaugural Will on the Water, to the grand opening of the Citadel Stage - ESR is working to serve the community through theatre. We strive to push the limits of what a small not for profit company can do. Our success illustrates the support received from the Blue Water area, the vast group of people graciously donating their time, and the power of art to impact our friends and neighbors.
Company Resume
PRODUCTIONS
2022 Ken Ludwig's The Three Musketeers
2022 George Christison's The Hiding Place
2022 Maxwell Anderson's Anne of the 1000 Days
2021 Mountain Community Theatre's A Miracle on 34th Street
2021 Dirk Kuiper's Phantom of the Opera
2021 Thornton Wilder's Our Town
2021 Will on the Water - Flashback 2021 A collection of works by William Shakespeare
2020 Kimberly Stevenson's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Enter Stage Right Edition - Online
2020 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's The Tragedie of King Lear - Online
2020 Joseph Robinette's Charlotte's Web - Live from Home
2020 John DeLancie's The Lost World - Live from Home
2020 Joseph Robinette's The Jungle Book - Live from Home
2020 Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias
2020 Patricia Gray's The Hobbit
2019 Michael Wilson's A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
2019 Joe DiPietro's Over the River and Through the Woods
2019 Jeffrey Hatcher's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
2019 Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters
2019 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's A Midsommer Nights Dreame
2019 Paul Rudnick's I Hate Hamlet
2019 Ken Ludwig's Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
2019 Norm Foster's The Foursome and The Ladies Foursome
2019 Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa
2019 Craig Lucas' Prelude to a Kiss
2019 Scott Brown and Anthony King's Gutenberg! The Musical!
2018 Andrew Fenady's Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
2018 Rebecca Gilman's boy Gets girl
2018 Steven Dietz's Dracula
2018 Mary Lyn Dobson's 2 On the Aisle, 3 in a Van
2018 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's The Tragedie of Macbeth
2018 Brian and Regina Spain's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
2018 Neil Simon's The Odd Couple
2018 John Patrick Shanley's Welcome to the Moon
2018 Jonathan Yukich's Alice@Wonerland
2018 Sapperstein and Murway's The Irish Wake of Patty O'Toole
2018 Ken Ludwig's Treasure Island
2018 Sean Grennan's Beer for Breakfast
2017 James W Roger's It's a Wonderful Life
2017 Sherman Sergel's 12 Angry Jurors
2017 Victor Gialanella's Frankenstein
2017 Brian Spain's Tales from Grimm
2017 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew
2017 John Patrick's The Curious Savage
2017 David Ive's All In the Timing
2017 Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House
2017 Regina Spain's Reveries of Oz
2017 Ira Levin's Death Trap
2016 John Cariani's Almost, Maine
2016 Rikki Schwartz's One Cat Away From 61
2016 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's Hamlet - Inaugural production at The Citadel Stage
2014 Will on the Water Touring Dinner Theatre
2011-2013 Will on the Water Shakespeare Festival – St. Clair, MI
2011 Ever After Happily – Marysville Days – Marysville, MI
2010 Will on the Water Shakespeare Festival – Port Huron, MI
2010 Play Reading Series - Jeremy Stemen’s Start 2 Finish
2009 Play Reading Series - Megan Cooley, Bill Barnwell/Community Mental Health
2009 Claudia Haas’ The Haunting of Will Shakespeare - ESR, Smiths Creek, MI
2009 Cynthia Mercati’s Flyin - Cardinal Mooney Catholic HS, Marine City, MI
2008 LeeAnne McInnis’ Aunt Leaf - Studio 1219’s “Women in Music and Verse”
2008 Regina Spain’s Wicked/Oz - Michigan Waterways GSA & ESR, Port Huron, MI
2007 Craig Sodaro’s Liberty Street - Fort Gratiot Middle School, Fort Gratiot, MI
2007 Craig Sodaro’s & Stephen Murray’s Boogie-Woogie Bugle Girls - Fort Gratiot MS, Fort Gratiot, MI
2007 Regina Spain's Wicked/Oz - Inaugural Enter Stage Right production, Marysville, MI
PARTNERED EVENTS
2022 Spamalot with Pete Frontiero Productions
2021 We're All Connected with the Community Mental Health Players
2020 Home for the Holidays with the Community Mental Health Players
2019 Fairy Tale Misfits with the Community Mental Health Players
2018 Funny Like a Crutch with the Community Mental Health Players
2018 13 the Musical with Port Huron Civic Theatre
2017 Entrepreneurial Spirit in Port Huron with The Keel
2017 Black Friday Improv with the Barn Theatre
2017 Noises Off br Michael Frayn with the Community Mental Health Players
2016 Improv Nights with the Barn Theatre
2016 "Called to Walls" Screening and Panel Discussion with The Port Huron Art Initiative
COMMUNITY SERVICE/ACTIVITY
2022 Port Huron Theatre District Festival
2022 Flash Mob at Port Huron's Chili Fest
2021 ESR performance tent at Blue Water Fest
2019 Hands on Art with Studio 1219
2018-2019 Murder Mystery Dinner with the League of the Blind
2018 Horcrux Hunt with the City of Port Huron
2011-2017 Distracted Driving Simulation for Marysville Fire & Rescue
2017 POHO Hot Cocoa Run Event
2016 Port Huron Trunk or Treat
2009-2016 “Be A Tourist In Your Own Town” – Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, MI
2009-2015 Girl Scouts International River Crossing - GSA South East MI, Marine City, MI & Sombre, ON
2010 Thumbfest 2010 – Theatrical Makeup Tent, Lexington, MI
2009-2012 Steering Committee, Fire & Ice Festival/Studio 1219, Port Huron, MI
2009 Halloween Stroll - Port Huron Recreation Department
2008 “Tall Ships Festival” - Pirate Scenes for Great Lakes Maritime Center, Port Huron, MI
2008 “Be A Tourist In Your Own Town” - Scenes of local history for Acheson Ventures/
Great Lakes Maritime Center, Port Huron, MI
WORKSHOPS/CLASSES
2022 Playwright's workshop: Brian Spain's Hideous Creatures on the Island of Dr. Moreau
2022 Lightsaber Academy
2021 Shakespeare for all with Regina Spain
2021 Theatrical/Special FX Makeup with Stewart Reed
2021 Actor's Body as an Instrument with Stewart Reed and Lisa Kramp
2021 Script Analysis with Regina Spain
2021 Monologues - Prep to performance with Zach Parkhurst
2021 Intro to Theatre for Youth with Kimberley Stevenson
2021 ESR's Improv Lab with Madison Roush
2021 Media and Marketing with Elexandra Halee
2021 Improv with Vikram Bhoyrul
2021 Playwright's Workshop: Brian Spain's Treasure Island: Hawkins' Choice
2020 Lighting with Russ Blain from Vincent Lighting
2019 Play Writing with Caitie Graham
2019 Audition Workshops
2017 Rock the Citadel with Flight of Fire
2017 The Citadel Student Stage
2013 Gender in Shakespeare - Woman's Life
2009-2012 Classes in Script Analysis, Meisner Technique, Stage Combat, Acting, and more.
2007-2012 Hands On Art Education Festival (formerly “Fire & Ice”) for Studio 1219, Port Huron, MI
2009 Eastern MI - UCC - “Mission” presentation, First Congregational UCC, St. Clair, MI
2009 First Congregational Church, “Local Stories Come To Life”, Port Huron, MI
2008 “Behind the Scenes: Uniquely ME!” In partnership with the Dove Foundation &
Michigan Waterways Girl Scouts Council, Port Huron, MI
2008 “Let’s Do Theatre” Michigan Waterways Girl Scouts Council, Port Huron, MI
AWARDS & GRANTS
2022 Domtar Industries Grant for Play Writing
2022 Blue Water Arts Council Grant for Port Huron Theatre Festival
2022 MACC/Arts Midwest/NEA Community Partners Grant for Port Huron Theatre Festival
2022 MACC POD Grant for Management Training
2021 MCACA Capital Grant for lights and staging
2021 MCACA Mini-Grant for The Light Saber Academy
2021 Shuttered Venue Operators Grant - SBA
2021 MCACA Mini-Grant for Workshops and Classes
2021 Michigan Save Our Stages Grant
2021 Community Foundation of St. Clair County Place Making Grant
2020 MCACA Emergency Relief Funds Grant
2020 Culture Source Relief and Resiliency Grant
2020 Nonprofit Insurance Alliance Gilbert Fund Grant
2019 Stebbins Fund Grant for Port Huron South Side Youth Theatre Programs
2019 MCACA Grant for Professional Development
2019 Domtar Industries Grant for Play Writing Course
2019 Third Round Capital Grants for the Citadel Stage: Stebbins Foundation, Blue Water Arts Council, Ruboo Boutique,
MCACA Capital Grant
2018 MCACA Grant for Marketing
2018 Kramer Spartan Fund Grant Award
2017 MCACA Grant for "Rock the Citadel" Program
2017 Blue Water Arts Committee (BWAC) Operating Grant for The Citadel Stage
2017 Second Round Capital Grants for the Citadel Stage: USDA-RD, Quota International of Port Huron,
Stebbins Foundation, Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Diabetes Solutions International
2016 First Round Capital Grants for the Citadel Stage: USDA-RD, BWAC, Community Foundation of St. Clair County,
Quota International of Port Huron
2013 Anton Art Center & MCACA Grant for "Will on the Water"
2010-2012 Blue Water Arts Committee Grant for "Will on the Water"
2008 Dove Foundation Grant for “Behind the Scenes: Uniquely ME!"
2008 Community Partner Award GSA Michigan Waterways Council
2022 Ken Ludwig's The Three Musketeers
2022 George Christison's The Hiding Place
2022 Maxwell Anderson's Anne of the 1000 Days
2021 Mountain Community Theatre's A Miracle on 34th Street
2021 Dirk Kuiper's Phantom of the Opera
2021 Thornton Wilder's Our Town
2021 Will on the Water - Flashback 2021 A collection of works by William Shakespeare
2020 Kimberly Stevenson's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Enter Stage Right Edition - Online
2020 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's The Tragedie of King Lear - Online
2020 Joseph Robinette's Charlotte's Web - Live from Home
2020 John DeLancie's The Lost World - Live from Home
2020 Joseph Robinette's The Jungle Book - Live from Home
2020 Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias
2020 Patricia Gray's The Hobbit
2019 Michael Wilson's A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
2019 Joe DiPietro's Over the River and Through the Woods
2019 Jeffrey Hatcher's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
2019 Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters
2019 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's A Midsommer Nights Dreame
2019 Paul Rudnick's I Hate Hamlet
2019 Ken Ludwig's Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
2019 Norm Foster's The Foursome and The Ladies Foursome
2019 Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa
2019 Craig Lucas' Prelude to a Kiss
2019 Scott Brown and Anthony King's Gutenberg! The Musical!
2018 Andrew Fenady's Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
2018 Rebecca Gilman's boy Gets girl
2018 Steven Dietz's Dracula
2018 Mary Lyn Dobson's 2 On the Aisle, 3 in a Van
2018 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's The Tragedie of Macbeth
2018 Brian and Regina Spain's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
2018 Neil Simon's The Odd Couple
2018 John Patrick Shanley's Welcome to the Moon
2018 Jonathan Yukich's Alice@Wonerland
2018 Sapperstein and Murway's The Irish Wake of Patty O'Toole
2018 Ken Ludwig's Treasure Island
2018 Sean Grennan's Beer for Breakfast
2017 James W Roger's It's a Wonderful Life
2017 Sherman Sergel's 12 Angry Jurors
2017 Victor Gialanella's Frankenstein
2017 Brian Spain's Tales from Grimm
2017 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew
2017 John Patrick's The Curious Savage
2017 David Ive's All In the Timing
2017 Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House
2017 Regina Spain's Reveries of Oz
2017 Ira Levin's Death Trap
2016 John Cariani's Almost, Maine
2016 Rikki Schwartz's One Cat Away From 61
2016 Will on the Water - William Shakespeare's Hamlet - Inaugural production at The Citadel Stage
2014 Will on the Water Touring Dinner Theatre
2011-2013 Will on the Water Shakespeare Festival – St. Clair, MI
2011 Ever After Happily – Marysville Days – Marysville, MI
2010 Will on the Water Shakespeare Festival – Port Huron, MI
2010 Play Reading Series - Jeremy Stemen’s Start 2 Finish
2009 Play Reading Series - Megan Cooley, Bill Barnwell/Community Mental Health
2009 Claudia Haas’ The Haunting of Will Shakespeare - ESR, Smiths Creek, MI
2009 Cynthia Mercati’s Flyin - Cardinal Mooney Catholic HS, Marine City, MI
2008 LeeAnne McInnis’ Aunt Leaf - Studio 1219’s “Women in Music and Verse”
2008 Regina Spain’s Wicked/Oz - Michigan Waterways GSA & ESR, Port Huron, MI
2007 Craig Sodaro’s Liberty Street - Fort Gratiot Middle School, Fort Gratiot, MI
2007 Craig Sodaro’s & Stephen Murray’s Boogie-Woogie Bugle Girls - Fort Gratiot MS, Fort Gratiot, MI
2007 Regina Spain's Wicked/Oz - Inaugural Enter Stage Right production, Marysville, MI
PARTNERED EVENTS
2022 Spamalot with Pete Frontiero Productions
2021 We're All Connected with the Community Mental Health Players
2020 Home for the Holidays with the Community Mental Health Players
2019 Fairy Tale Misfits with the Community Mental Health Players
2018 Funny Like a Crutch with the Community Mental Health Players
2018 13 the Musical with Port Huron Civic Theatre
2017 Entrepreneurial Spirit in Port Huron with The Keel
2017 Black Friday Improv with the Barn Theatre
2017 Noises Off br Michael Frayn with the Community Mental Health Players
2016 Improv Nights with the Barn Theatre
2016 "Called to Walls" Screening and Panel Discussion with The Port Huron Art Initiative
COMMUNITY SERVICE/ACTIVITY
2022 Port Huron Theatre District Festival
2022 Flash Mob at Port Huron's Chili Fest
2021 ESR performance tent at Blue Water Fest
2019 Hands on Art with Studio 1219
2018-2019 Murder Mystery Dinner with the League of the Blind
2018 Horcrux Hunt with the City of Port Huron
2011-2017 Distracted Driving Simulation for Marysville Fire & Rescue
2017 POHO Hot Cocoa Run Event
2016 Port Huron Trunk or Treat
2009-2016 “Be A Tourist In Your Own Town” – Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, MI
2009-2015 Girl Scouts International River Crossing - GSA South East MI, Marine City, MI & Sombre, ON
2010 Thumbfest 2010 – Theatrical Makeup Tent, Lexington, MI
2009-2012 Steering Committee, Fire & Ice Festival/Studio 1219, Port Huron, MI
2009 Halloween Stroll - Port Huron Recreation Department
2008 “Tall Ships Festival” - Pirate Scenes for Great Lakes Maritime Center, Port Huron, MI
2008 “Be A Tourist In Your Own Town” - Scenes of local history for Acheson Ventures/
Great Lakes Maritime Center, Port Huron, MI
WORKSHOPS/CLASSES
2022 Playwright's workshop: Brian Spain's Hideous Creatures on the Island of Dr. Moreau
2022 Lightsaber Academy
2021 Shakespeare for all with Regina Spain
2021 Theatrical/Special FX Makeup with Stewart Reed
2021 Actor's Body as an Instrument with Stewart Reed and Lisa Kramp
2021 Script Analysis with Regina Spain
2021 Monologues - Prep to performance with Zach Parkhurst
2021 Intro to Theatre for Youth with Kimberley Stevenson
2021 ESR's Improv Lab with Madison Roush
2021 Media and Marketing with Elexandra Halee
2021 Improv with Vikram Bhoyrul
2021 Playwright's Workshop: Brian Spain's Treasure Island: Hawkins' Choice
2020 Lighting with Russ Blain from Vincent Lighting
2019 Play Writing with Caitie Graham
2019 Audition Workshops
2017 Rock the Citadel with Flight of Fire
2017 The Citadel Student Stage
2013 Gender in Shakespeare - Woman's Life
2009-2012 Classes in Script Analysis, Meisner Technique, Stage Combat, Acting, and more.
2007-2012 Hands On Art Education Festival (formerly “Fire & Ice”) for Studio 1219, Port Huron, MI
2009 Eastern MI - UCC - “Mission” presentation, First Congregational UCC, St. Clair, MI
2009 First Congregational Church, “Local Stories Come To Life”, Port Huron, MI
2008 “Behind the Scenes: Uniquely ME!” In partnership with the Dove Foundation &
Michigan Waterways Girl Scouts Council, Port Huron, MI
2008 “Let’s Do Theatre” Michigan Waterways Girl Scouts Council, Port Huron, MI
AWARDS & GRANTS
2022 Domtar Industries Grant for Play Writing
2022 Blue Water Arts Council Grant for Port Huron Theatre Festival
2022 MACC/Arts Midwest/NEA Community Partners Grant for Port Huron Theatre Festival
2022 MACC POD Grant for Management Training
2021 MCACA Capital Grant for lights and staging
2021 MCACA Mini-Grant for The Light Saber Academy
2021 Shuttered Venue Operators Grant - SBA
2021 MCACA Mini-Grant for Workshops and Classes
2021 Michigan Save Our Stages Grant
2021 Community Foundation of St. Clair County Place Making Grant
2020 MCACA Emergency Relief Funds Grant
2020 Culture Source Relief and Resiliency Grant
2020 Nonprofit Insurance Alliance Gilbert Fund Grant
2019 Stebbins Fund Grant for Port Huron South Side Youth Theatre Programs
2019 MCACA Grant for Professional Development
2019 Domtar Industries Grant for Play Writing Course
2019 Third Round Capital Grants for the Citadel Stage: Stebbins Foundation, Blue Water Arts Council, Ruboo Boutique,
MCACA Capital Grant
2018 MCACA Grant for Marketing
2018 Kramer Spartan Fund Grant Award
2017 MCACA Grant for "Rock the Citadel" Program
2017 Blue Water Arts Committee (BWAC) Operating Grant for The Citadel Stage
2017 Second Round Capital Grants for the Citadel Stage: USDA-RD, Quota International of Port Huron,
Stebbins Foundation, Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Diabetes Solutions International
2016 First Round Capital Grants for the Citadel Stage: USDA-RD, BWAC, Community Foundation of St. Clair County,
Quota International of Port Huron
2013 Anton Art Center & MCACA Grant for "Will on the Water"
2010-2012 Blue Water Arts Committee Grant for "Will on the Water"
2008 Dove Foundation Grant for “Behind the Scenes: Uniquely ME!"
2008 Community Partner Award GSA Michigan Waterways Council