Traverse City’s Parallel 45 Theatre celebrates 11 years with a fully outdoor season, new events and a brand new producing director. See what they’re up to and don’t forget to join in on the festivities all summer long.
The nonprofit Parallel 45 Theatre Festival (P45), celebrating its 11th year, is set to launch on July 8th with an entirely outdoor season, and a fully vaccinated company and staff of over fifty professionals from around the country. As protocols have been lifted, P45 has been planning and creating a new community culture of picnic blankets, bring-your-own chairs, and delicious pre-ordered selections from Oryana, delivered straight to the venue.
The 2021 season brings P45 back on stage to their home at Civic Center Park in Traverse City from July 8th to August 1st, 2021. Featuring a centerpiece reinvention of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, followed by You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown based on the beloved Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz, the season is rounded out with a new pop-up marathon of three mini plays in one afternoon, and performances by the new Youthquake Company. Shows rotate daily and tickets to all shows are on sale and available for purchase anytime online — advance purchases are always recommended.
In another staffing move, P45 has recruited Nick Viox (he/him) to join the organization as Producing Director, effective June 1st. Viox is a well-known arts advocate, community leader, and creator who will serve in a new leadership role that will be evolving to take advantage of his broad experiences and expertise. He will oversee and manage all Production Departments, along with assisting the organization in strategic development of P45’s long term future and sustainability.
Viox leaves his position as Downtown Experience Coordinator for the Downtown Development Authority of Traverse City after almost eight years. He is a long-time P45 Theatre supporter, performer, collaborator, and volunteer who has also been involved with the Old Town Playhouse as a Board Member, and in a number of producorial and performance roles, including recently co-directing Fun Home and Indecent, and performing in many iconic Mashup Rock & Roll Musical productions regionally, where he’s also a key volunteer.
Viox’s personal passion locally has been in leading the creation of safe community spaces, from volunteering for community organizations that he loves like Up North Pride (Programming Director), Crooked Tree Arts Center (Board Member), Commongrounds Co-op (Board Member), Grand Traverse Conservation District (Incubator Farm Advisory Board), Michigan Farmers Market Association (Racial Equity Committee), and Traverse City Film Festival (State Theatre Manager).
Viox is co-driecting this season’s kickoff Benefête event with Founding Artistic Director Kit McKay. Now in its second year, the Benefête is a Cabaret celebration to benefit P45’s year-round work in the community. Tickets are on sale for the one-night only performance on Thursday, June 24th at the P45 Amphitheatre in Civiv Center Park which features the cast from the upcoming season.
To learn more or purchase tickets: Visit Parallel45.org or email info@parallel45.org