The Hill’s very own Theater Alliance has received federal stimulus money earmarked to prevent layoffs. Like the classical deus ex machine of our theatrical forefathers, the money has arrived just in time. “I’m the only employee and I was going to have to lay myself off,” said Paul Douglas Michnewicz, a co- founder and artistic director of the small but mighty company currently in residence at the H Street Playhouse.
The money is part of the overall federal stimulus package. “I like saying that Barack gave me the money but the National Endowment for the Arts received funding and they in turn gave it to the DC Commission on the Arts.” There were 96 applicants and 16 winners were chosen. The $12,500 grant will go to pay half of Michnewicz’ salary.
The Theater Alliance is Capitol Hill born and raised. Begun by Michnewicz, Adele Robey and Linda Norton in 1993, the company performed at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop for several years. His day job during those years was with the Washington Opera at the Kennedy Center. “I would have my friends come and work for us for pennies.” said Michnewicz. “We’d do stuff at Eastern Market and Christ Church.”
With a mission to present new or rarely produced work geared towards attracting diverse and alternative audiences, the Theater Alliance gained a reputation for producing smart and engaging plays. The company has received over 20 Helen Hayes award nominations and was most recently a finalist for the Mayor’s Arts Award.
When Michnewicz left the company and moved to New York, Jeremy Skidmore took over. It was during Skidmore’s tenure that the company made the leap to H Street. It become the sole resident company of the H Street Playhouse which had been purchased and renovated by Adele Robey and her husband, the late Bruce Robey. The Playhouse was the pioneer in bringing the arts back to that underserved neighborhood. Five years later Skidmore moved on, and after a period as the interim director, Michnewicz came back full time.
As with many arts organizations the Theater Alliance has had its share of financial troubles. Michnewicz helped steer the company out of debt and, he said, last year they finished in the black. “Well, maybe not in the black, we’re right on the line right now.” Which meant no money was available for staff let alone to produce a show. The current economic situation has proven dire for some arts organizations. Another award-winning, small, Hill-based theater company, Catalyst Theater has announced it is folding due, in part, to the increased difficulty of raising money.
The Theater Alliance has made an innovative and practical programming decision. Instead of announcing a three or four play season a year in advance and hoping the money comes through, Michnewicz instead will plan a show and when the money is there the Theater Alliance will produce it.
He is extremely excited about the upcoming production of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity which is currently in rehearsals. “Bruce (Robey) always wanted us to do that show.” Michnewicz said, “We were thinking about it but then when he died we said we have to do it now. It’s going to be amazing, wait until you hear the voices!”
In June the Theater Alliance is doing a production of Gretty Good Time in partnership with the Kennedy Center’s Very Special International Arts festival. And if the funding comes through, the company will tackle another piece by author and playwright Victor Lodato called Slaying the Dragon.
That is IF there is funding. According to Michnewicz, “It’s all about the money honey.”
Black Nativity opens December 10th and runs through January 3rd.