Fire Relief: Thunder Bay Theatre

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, the Alpena, Michigan community lost one of its most historic buildings, John A. Lau Saloon, which was adjacent to another historic gem, Thunder Bay Theatre.   Luckily, the fire department and first responders were able to save the bones of Thunder Bay Theatre and contain the fire to the best of their ability, despite it sharing a wall with John A. Lau.  However, the theater did suffer significant water and smoke damage as a result of the fire and efforts that ultimately saved the building and the rest of the block.  The apartments used for housing artists during productions, which are located directly above the performance area and lobby of TBT,  were permeated with smoke and water--one window was blown out completely, and the aftermath left the integrity of the ceiling in doubt in many places. The apartments' contents such as furniture, mattresses, appliances, etc. will need to be replaced.  The roof will also most likely have to be completely replaced, costing thousands of dollars.  The basement and all of its contents, which included wardrobe, props, and set pieces were completely destroyed.  And, the newly renovated lobby also suffered extensive water and smoke damage.  An official estimate of the total damage from the insurance company is still pending, and the money from insurance alone will not cover the cost of all the repairs needed to get the building back up and running to produce shows and programming for the community once again.  Anyone who has had the privilege of working at TBT or seeing one of its productions is grateful that the theater was spared and that no one was hurt.  However, if you are reading this, we are pleading with you to make a contribution, no matter how small, for the complete restoration of Thunder Bay Theatre as it tries to amass the money needed for its deductible and the replacement of all that was lost in the recent fire.  "Be great in act, as you have been in thought."--William Shakespeare