Dear Planet Ant Community,
Planet Ant Theatre has been a part of the Metro Detroit community since the mid-90s. In that time, a lot has happened. We’ve created hundreds of original shows – several which have been remounted in other theaters throughout the country.
Our Monday Night Improv Home Team has helped to launch the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. We’ve expanded our Training Center and developmental Farm Teams to nurture the next generation of improvisers, playwrights, sketch writers, filmmakers, and more.
This Giving Tuesday, we wanted to give you a long-overdue update on our financial situation, and what you can do to help.
Grant and budget shortfalls
Just like PBS, NPR, and several theatres throughout the country, Planet Ant has depended, in part, on government grants over the years – it’s a big percentage of our budget. This season, we’re projected to receive less than one-third of last year’s grant amount, which means we’re struggling to pay our bills, our employees, and our artists.
We’re not in danger of closing yet, but we don’t want to sugarcoat things either: The year ahead will be crucial.
What Planet Ant is doing about it
More transparency: We’ve touted this in the past, but frankly, we need to do a better job of letting you know what we’re facing, and how your donations are being put to work. This letter is the first step toward that.
Fundraising: The board has formed a group solely focused on how to bring in additional revenue to make up for the shortfall. One way is by amping up our merchandising arm, an oft-requested change. We are also eager to hear your ideas.
A better job of listening: Performers know how important it is to listen when on stage. We need to do a better job of listening to your concerns when we’re off stage, and we will.
What can you do?
We understand some of you may be cynical. But if you’ve read this far, you’re already doing the most important thing – caring. Yes, Planet Ant has a staff and leadership that works incredibly hard behind the scenes, but we’ve never, ever lost sight of the fact that YOU, the community, are the theater, and if you didn’t care so much, none of this would exist.
You help every time you attend a show. You help by volunteering. You help by convincing your friends and family to check out what we’re doing in Hamtramck. You help by taking classes, by performing, by staying afterward to talk with one another. You help by being so welcoming to newcomers. You help in so many ways that we can’t possibly list them all.
In doing so, you have built a thriving community. So please, keep offering your presence.
Also this Giving Tuesday, we’re asking for your financial support. We’re not asking you to give until it hurts, but Planet Ant has had continued success over the years thanks to kind folks like you who come to visit us and support us as a 501(c)(3). Now, that (tax-deductible!) support is more vital than ever before.
You can make your gift by visiting https://www.planetant.com/donate or https://givebutter.com/planetant
We thank you for all your support. Theater is a collaboration. Planet Ant wants to be more collaborative with you, our community. We’re not promising pie-in-the sky changes. What we are promising is a steady series of small improvements that will lead to a financially sound non-profit, and a place for artists to show their creativity to the world. A place unlike any other. Planet Ant Theatre.
Sincerely,
The Planet Ant Board of Directors