Suttons Bay’s nonprofit-run, volunteer-driven Bay Theatre is now starting the search for a full-time general manager. The Bay Theatre’s Board President Rick Andrews tells the Leelanau Ticker, “This is an important next step for the theatre which was saved from closing permanently back in 2018. Thanks to strong community support The Bay is in solid financial shape and ready to add this leadership role.”

He says the board is seeking an individual with an appreciation of film, the performing arts, and education to run the day-to-day operations of the theater, plus “ensure a wonderful experience for the patrons, and a collaborative, drama-free environment for its staff and volunteers.”

After the Bahle family — who owned and operated the venue since 1976 —announced plans in November of 2018 for The Bay to go dark by the end of that year, community leaders and film fans rallied together, forming and opening as a nonprofit on New Year’s Day 2019.

And 2019 was a tremendous year: Andrews says during The Bay’s first year operating as a community-run theater, “over 17,000 people came through the doors — remarkable when you think of Suttons Bay as a village of only 600 people.”

He also explains that the nonprofit’s financial and legal structure heading into the pandemic positioned it “to come into the crisis in a quite solid position.” He adds the nonprofit was able to able to purchase the theater building and the retail space next to it with financing from the sellers. “They [the Bahle family] were great partners the whole way.”

Big picture plans for the historic, small-town venue? Live concerts, speakers, comedy shows, and other ways to engage with the community in addition to film.

Those interested in the general manager job may email board member Kevin Maher directly.