Saying yes.

I was nervous. I was excited. I had no idea what to expect.    I entered the rehearsal hall tentatively, as I watched a group of people hitting a paper ball into the air and counting. I was seriously hoping I hadn’t missed a memo about the start time, as the room was full of…

One, Two, Three, Four

Crumpled paper wrapped in tape, Tight enough to hold its shape. To some it looks like just a ball, But at The Rose we respect this small, Multi-colored lightweight wad, To set new records, cheer, applaud.   Ready, waiting, palms stretched out, With every hit we start to count: One, two, three, four, If the…

My Purple Rose Ghost Anniversary

During my first days as a Purple Rose Apprentice back in August 2013, I spent a lot of time learning about The Rose; its mission, values, acting philosophies, and the daily operations that make the place go ‘round. A lot of what I learned came from conversations with Resident Artist and Apprentice Chief Michelle Mountain.…

Did You Know? – 25 Purple Rose Facts

Test your knowledge of The Purple Rose by reading the 25 facts below!   1. Jeff Daniels spent 10 years working successfully as an actor in New York City before returning in 1986 to his hometown, Chelsea, MI. Five years later, in 1991, he would found the Purple Rose Theatre Company.   2. Lanford Wilson, a prolific director/playwright…

Backstage with Thomas Macias

Communication. Anticipation. Artistic integrity. According to Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) Stage Manager Thomas Macias, those are three areas of focus for any stage manager at The Rose. After recently finishing his third PRTC show as production stage manager, Macias sat down with me to provide a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to manage…

Turning Up the Volume

In a Purple Rose production, no choice is made unintentionally, including the chime of the doorbell or the ring of a cellphone in the PRTC’s current show, “Vino Veritas.” “It all has to serve the play,” explains sound designer Tom Whalen. “If something isn’t moving the story forward, we take it out.” A PRTC Resident…

Smart Searching for “Smart Love”

Having been a Properties Designer at The Purple Rose for more than 25 years, Danna Segrest is well accustomed to the challenge of finding obscure objects for productions. Since beginning her work on “Smart Love,” a world premiere by Michigan playwright Brian Letscher now being staged at The Rose, her latest quests have sent her in…