Southwest Detroit’s Matrix Theatre Company
Jose Varela, Laura Perez and Matt Dooley were three of the main writers for “Vanished,” although many were involved in the collective playwriting process.
Since the early 90s, The Matrix Theatre Company has been reaching out to members of the Detroit community who may have little or no experience in traditional theatre. Founder Shaun Nethercott came to the city via Dallas, nearly 20 years ago, to work on a production about the strike of thousands of auto workers in Flint. Shawn and her husband fell in love with the freedom that Detroit offered to the arts and founded Matrix to engage the community in the empowerment of spirit that live theatre offers.
On March 12th, the group opens up a long-awaited, locally written production called Vanished. The play follows an struggling immigrant family in Detroit and the effect that unforeseen deportation raids can have on a family and a community.
Clockwise from top: Actors Tim Seneca, Megan Smith and Benito Cruz, depict a home invasion where an I.C.E. officer tries to detain an undocumented father working and living in Detroit.
A Note About Qualifications
We're extremely excited to have received so many applications from groups all over Metro Detroit to be part of WDET's Star Program. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to fill out the app and give us feedback on what you've heard so far on air. There are a couple things I'd like to make a bit clearer for those wishing to apply:
1- Right now, WDET is only considering 501C-3 non-profits who are actively engaged in the arts, whether that's theater, a gallery, an arts-education center or group, a venue, or one of the many other categories which fall under arts and culture.
2-Applications for singular events are also not currently being considered. While there's an incredible amount of worthy music and art festivals during the summer/fall season, it's much too difficult to time our coverage of your event/ group with the date of the actual event. If you want to get the word out about it, try contacting the producers of the Craig Fahle Show at either cfshow@wdet.org or news@wdet.org.
Thanks again for your great work in the Detroit community and for making the beginnings of the Star Program a success here at WDET.
Hamtramck Collective Hatch
Photography by Hatch co-founder Chris Schneider
WDET's next featured organization is the Hamtramck collective Hatch, a group of more than 50 artists whose aim is to be a meeting point for like-minded folks. The group is in the process of renovating the former Hamtramck Police Station into a gallery space, education center, and a physical location for artists to meet and collaborate with each other. Hatch will open their yearly showcase of group members work next month during the Metro Times Hamtramck Blowout. Called Hatchback 4, the show opens at the group's adopted home, the lovely Cafe 1923 on Holbrook. Listen in this week and next on Morning Edition, The Craig Fahle Show, and All Things Considered as we talk with Hatch about their work.
WDET’s First STAR Recipient is… The Trinity House
( Photo: Michael Hacala )
Livonia musical venue The Trinity House has been chosen as WDET’s first STAR Program recipient. The cozy, 90-seat venue specializes in local and nationally touring Folk, Americana, and Acoustic acts. It’s a mainly volunteer-run organization, kept in operation by a dedicated group of people whose passion lies in the traditional and roots music genres.
The Trinity House itself dates to the early-to-mid 19th century and was originally a Christian-denominational church (There’s still a charming old graveyard in the backyard). After its use as a religious house was over, the Trinity was used as a venue for local theatrical productions until the late nineties, when Concert Coordinator Bill Keith began regularly booking live musical acts to perform. Keith says the Trinity’s past lends an aesthetic ambiance to performances, a certain old-world charm that’s hard to find among modern concert venues.
Tomorrow on WDET’s The Craig Fahle Show, hear an audio tour of the Trinity House and an interview with Annie Capps, organizer of this Friday’s Songwriters Anonymous Showcase at the Trinity House. Find more information at www.trinityhouse.org.
Next Week!
WDET begins the on air portion of the Star Program next week. Stay tuned as we highlight the work of one of our historic local music venues.
Teaming Your Organization’s Events with the Star Program
It would be beneficial to both your organization and WDET to attempt to coordinate important events with coverage on the station. In the second comment box on the Star application, please list the next 4-5 large events the organization is involved in. Thanks!
Applications for WDET’s STAR Program Now Available
Our Application page is up and running here. Head over and fill out our form to submit your non-profit organization for consideration. Application forms can be printed and mailed, faxed, or simply submitted electronically. If you have any questions about the program or application process, send us an email at star@wdet.org.
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WDET’s STAR Program Launches Today!
Today marks the launch of our Support The Arts (STAR) Program, an initiative established to provide on-air promotion at no cost to Southeastern Michigan’s non-profit arts and cultural organizations. Application information will be posted shortly. In the meantime, visit our About page to learn more. Help us spread the word by sharing our site with five people you know who would be interested in our program or could benefit from it!
