Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) is once again preparing to raise the curtain on this year’s season featuring music, comedy, youth productions and so much more!
 
Patrons, business sponsors and the public are invited to the TCA on Saturday, September 21 for a sneak peek at this year’s line-up. The TCA lobby opens its doors at 6 pm with dinner provided by Three Dudes and Dinner, the TCA Cash Bar featuring Flying Otter Winery and a meet & greet session with some of this year’s partners including Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus, The TCA Big Band & VocalAires, Neighbors of Hope, National Home School Music Ensemble and  more.
 
A meal by 3 Dudes and Dinner will take place in the TCA lobby beginning at 6 pm and include poached pear salad, lemon thyme chicken, whole roasted beef tenderloin with whisky peppercorn sauce, garlic smashed herb potatoes, oven roasted autumn vegetables and spiced baked apples!
 
At 7 pm, Ear Candy will perform live on the TCA stage to help kick off this year’s season. TCA staff will take time to recognize this year’s business sponsorships, volunteer ushers and show the new sizzler reel highlighting this year’s National Touring Season. The community is invited to come out and enjoy this free event as we share the exciting things happening at Tecumseh Center for the Arts.
 
Those in attendance will have a chance to win a set of complimentary tickets to one of our Touring shows including John Latini and the Flying Latini Brothers, The Legends of Michigan Comedy Show, New York, NY Dueling Pianos, Le Cirque Esprit and Phase 5 Motown Tribute Band. Stop in for your chance to win!   
 
This event is free and open to the public so join us as we kick off the 39th season at the TCA. You may even walk away the winner of a set of complimentary tickets to a TCA show!
 
To RSVP, go to www.TheTCA.org and get your free Season Preview ticket. You can also stop by the Box Office Tuesday-Friday between noon and 5 pm or call 517-423-6617.
 
The Season Preview event is sponsored by Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and our 39th season sponsor 3 Dudes and Dinner.
 

Tecumseh Center for the Arts is actively seeking business sponsors for this year's season. With a goal to raise $20,000 in business sponsors this year,  we are thrilled to say we are nearly half way there! 

Business sponsors offset the cost of our National Touring Season by helping us cover the cost of shows including stipends, marketing and promotional materials, hotels and hospitality, playbills and concessions. Simply stated, we could not bring such high caliber talent to the TCA without the support of the community. 

We still have some amazing sponsorship levels remaining and are looking for businesses to partner with us by September 15. 

Producer's Chair = $3,000 ($3,000 Total)

• One sponsorship is still available

Director's Circle = $2,000 ($4,000 Total)

• Sold Out!

Leading Player = $1,000 ($10,000 Total)

• Six sponsors are still available

Supporting Player = $600 ($6,000 Total)

• Five sponsors are still available

Ensemble Player = $350 ($3,500)

• Eight sponsors are still available

Cast Member = $200 ($1,000)

• Four sponsors are still available

Friends of the TCA = $100 ($500)

• Nine sponsors are still available

A business sponsorship with Tecumseh Center for the Arts is an amazing return on your investment. A sponsorship includes your ad in our playbills, your logo on our website and social media sites, your name in press releases, print ads in newspapers and magazines, radio ads, television ads, on posters and in email newsletters. Sponsors also get recognized at our free, Season Preview event on September 21, and are displayed on our lobby TV throughout the season and announced before each our show. 

For more information on this year's sponsorship levels, click here. You can also contact TCA Director  Kelly Jo Gilmore to find out more. 

​Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) will be conducting Nutcracker Ballet Auditions on Sunday, September 8, 2019. This year’s production marks the 15th production of the timeless tale at the TCA. All dancers must enter through the Green Room located in the back of the theater from the south parking lot. No parents are allowed beyond the check in point. After the audition process is complete, dancers can be picked up at the front entrance. Parents are welcome to wait in the lobby, but will not be permitted beyond that point.
 
Audition times are broken down into the following age groups:

• Ages 8-10 … 1:00 pm (arrive at 12:00 pm)
• Ages 11-13 … 2:15 pm (arrive at 1:15 pm)
• Ages 14+… 3:30 pm (arrive at 2:30 pm)

Dancers must be the minimum age of 8-years-old by November 15, 2019.  The maximum age of the dancer is a senior in high school. All dancers must report 1 hour prior to audition time for fitting and cast photo. All dancers must wear pink tights, black or blue leotard, ballet shoes or pointe shoes, hair in a bun and absolutely no jewelry.
 
The following items are mandatory requirements for all dancers.

• Mandatory Parent Meeting on Thursday, September 26 at 7 PM
• Attendance at all Sunday rehearsals in October
• Must be currently enrolled in a ballet or pointe class at any studio
• Only one absence allowed during November and December

New this year! Dancers can pre-register for auditions through the TCA’s website at www.TheTCA.org. Simply click on the “Buy Tickets” tab and click on “Register Now” next to Nutcracker Ballet Auditions.

This year’s Nutcracker Ballet will take place December 12 – 14, 2019. There will be two casts this year. All casting decisions are determined by the Nutcracker Ballet Production Team. Each dancer is reviewed by a panel of five area dance studio owners, choreographers, and the producer. Cast members are chosen by how they perform at the time of auditions, based on ability, stage presence, and skill level. The panel reviews individual scores and jointly decides casting.
 
For more information, call Tecumseh Center for the Arts at 517-423-6617.

Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) is preparing for its 39th season by making sure the theater is ready for a full line up of musicians, performers, and production team members, as well as patrons. Part of the theater’s preparation plans include maintaining the facility and making sure it is in top working order.
 
This summer the theater finished up several projects including the installation of a new handicap accessible ramp at the back of the building. The previous ramp was in disrepair and at risk of being closed for safety reasons. The ramp was the only handicap accessible entrance into the stage area of the theater with access to the back of the building.
 
“The ramp has been on our wish list for several years,” commented TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore. “The thought of closing the only handicap accessible entrance to the back of the theater was very disheartening and I’m so glad that didn’t happen. The new ramp is wider, with a larger platform and ensures handicap accessibility for many decades to the back of the theater.”
 
Tecumseh Center for the Arts received support from the City of Tecumseh in tearing out the old ramp earlier this spring before having the new ramp installed by Krieghoff Lenawee. The ramp was built with funds from the Robert & Albert Ward Todd Endowment of the Lenawee Community Foundation. 
 
“We are incredibly thankful for the support of the Lenawee Community Foundation and the Robert & Albert Ward Todd Endowment in helping us achieve our goals for a new, handicap accessible ramp,” stated Gilmore.
 
For additional information about the Lenawee Community Foundation, call 423-1729 or visit www.lenaweecf.com. For more information on Tecumseh Center for the Arts, call 423-6617 or visit www.TheTCA.org.
 
Tecumseh Center for the Arts is a 572-seat, fully equipped performance facility, providing a wide variety of events that light up the stage. From Broadway stars, to sensational chart topping bands and world class national touring acts to local theater companies and youth events, you'll find it all on stage at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts Shirley Todd Herrick Theater.

Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) created The TCA Michigan Homegrown Project to emphasize the importance of sharing the theater stage with local artistic groups and performing artists while building lasting relationships between artists, art organizations and the theater. Our 2019 Homegrown Season is jam-packed with amazing shows and talented performers. Ticketed events go on sale August 20 unless otherwise noted. ​

Season Preview Event | September 21 | Free
Come  out to Tecumseh Center for the Arts and see a glimpse of what to expect this year! This free event includes a performance by the local musical group Ear Candy, a presentation of this year’s National Touring Season, ticket giveaways and appetizers.  Keep watching for more information. 

You can receive a free ticket through our website and box office beginning August 20 or just show up at our door on September 21. 

Cat Canyon | October 5 | $10
Cat Canyon is an original and natural entertainer who interacts with audiences of all ages. As a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist; Cat is passionate about playing and singing everything from blues and rockabilly to rock and pop. He covers a broad range of American music writing originals and putting his own stamp on classics which has earned him acclaim in Michigan and nationwide.

Don't miss Cat Canyon at the TCA! Tickets on sale August 20. 

Kiwanis Travel Adventure Series | October - April | $7
The Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh is excited about this season's Travel and Adventure Cinema Series. This travel series takes place the second Tuesday of each month from October through April (except the month of December). 
​
Both series and individual tickets are on sale starting August 20. 

River Raisin Ragtime Revue | October 27 | $5-10
The River Raisin Ragtime Revue is hosting a Halloween Family Concert at the TCA. Come dressed in your Halloween attire for some "spooky" ragtime music and your chance to join the Trick or Treat parade across the TCA stage. Prizes will be awarded for best costume!

Tickets go on sale August 20. 

Neighbors of Hope| November 9 | $30-60
Neighbors of Hope presents Comedian Jeff Allen for their annual fundraising event. Jeff Allen’s rapid-fire humor, which centers on marriage and family, is a hit with all ages. A live comedy favorite, Jeff has appeared on Showtime, Comedy Central, VH1 and more. He starred in the critically acclaimed film, Apostles of Comedy, the syndicated comedy series, Bananas, his own one-hour comedy special, Happy Wife, Happy Life and the Warner Bros. comedy film, Thou Shalt Laugh. Jeff’s Dry Bar Comedy videos went viral earlier this year, introducing him to tens of millions of new fans worldwide. At times both gut-wrenching and hilarious, Jeff’s one-man show, The America I Grew Up In, offers a unique view into his crazy world.
​
Tickets went on sale August 13. Buy tickets here.

Veterans Day Concert | November 10 | Free
Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) is celebrating Veterans Day by holding a free concert for the community in honor of local veterans and their families. The event is sponsored by the Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation and will take place Sunday, November 10 at 4:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Music will be provided by the Peace Jubilee Brass Band. In the spirit of the great American Peace Jubilee of 1869, under the direction of the noted musician and composer Patrick S. Gilmore, comes the Peace Jubilee Brass Band.

You can receive a free ticket through our website and box office beginning August 20 or just show up at our door on November 10.

​Tecumseh Youth Theatre | Nov., Feb., March | $8-12
Tecumseh Youth Theatre (TYT) is once again performing at the TCA. TYT will be producing three shows this season including Seussical Kids for their elementary production in November, Willy Wonka Jr. for their middle school production in February and Mamma Mia for their high school production in March. 

Ticket prices vary for each production and will go on sale about one month prior to each show.  

Tecumseh Pops Orchestra & Community Chorus | December and May | $10-12
The Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus is a nonprofit organization designed to foster, promote and increase the musical knowledge and appreciation of our citizens. An original partner of the TCA, Tecumseh Pops Orchestra & Community Chorus holds two concerts at the theater each season. Their holiday concert will be held on Sunday, December , 2019 and their spring concert on Sunday, May 3, 2020. 8

Tickets will go on sale for the December concert later this fall and early 2020 for their spring concert. 

TCA Nutcracker Ballet | December 12-14 | $12-16
The TCA Nutcracker Ballet is produced every other year by Tecumseh Center for the Arts. This year marks the 15th production of the timeless tale. Auditions take place in September in collaboration with five area dance studios including The Ballet School, Dance Steps Studio, Encore Dance Studio, Dance with Heart Studios and M.S.T. Dance Center. This year we will also partner with Tecumseh Players and will be incorporating new props and costumes. 

Tickets go on sale October 1! 

TCA Big Band & VocalAires | December & May | $10
The TCA Big Band & VocalAires was formed in 2004 to provide area musicians a chance to share their love of Big Band music with the community. This all-volunteer group is comprised of musicians from all walks of life. The group performs an annual winter and spring concert at the TCA. This season's concerts will take place on December 15 and May 17.

Tickets go on sale August 20. 

National Home School Music Ensemble | December & May 
Proud to be in its twentieth year of serving the homeschool communities in Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties, NHME offers ensemble experiences and music instruction in Ann Arbor and Tecumseh. The group has held an annual spring concert at the TCA for decades but beginning this season will also hold a holiday concert in December. This season’s concerts will take place on December 17 and May 12. Keep watching for more information. 
​
These events are free to the community. 

M.S.T. Dance Center | December & May | TBD
M.S.T. Dance Center from Brooklyn, Michigan, hosts two recitals each season at the TCA. Their first recital takes place on December 21 and their second recital on May 30. 

M.S.T. Dance Center sells their own tickets which must be purchased through their studio.   

​Tecumseh Band Boosters | TBD
Tecumseh Center for the Arts is currently working with Tecumseh Band Boosters to hold their annual Tecumseh Band Aid event. The date, time and ticket prices are currently unknown as it is in the planning stages. However, keep watch for more information on our website and Facebook page. 

​Movie Sing-A-Longs | January | $5 Each
New this year, Tecumseh Center for the Arts will be hosting a movie series in January to help us get over our winter blues. The exact dates and times will be announced soon. All movies will take place on weekends during the month of January and probably take place in the afternoon as matinees. All movies will be a sing-a-long movie event where audience participation is encouraged. 

​The Ballet School | May 9 | TBD
The Ballet School will be joining the TCA lineup once again this season. The Ballet School is a highly trained and experienced faculty studio that strives to provide a quality dance education. 

More information on this year's recital and ticket sales will be available during spring 2020. 

​Dance Steps Studios, Inc. |  May 16 | TBD
Dance Steps Studios has been hosting their annual recital at the TCA for decades and we are thrilled to have them partner with us once again. 

Information on this year's tickets and dance recital information will be available spring 2020.  
  

​Encore Dance Studio, Inc | June 4-6 | TBD
Our largest dance studio partner will return to the TCA stage during the first week of June. Encore has been partnering with the TCA for several decades. 

Ticket sales and information will be announced in 2020.

​Infusion Performing Arts Academy | June 20 | TBD
We are thrilled to be partnering with Infusion Performing Arts Academy once again this season for their end of year recital. This year's recitals will take place on June 20, 2020. 

Watch for more information on this year's theme and ticket sale announcement next May. 

​Tecumseh Public Schools | October - June | Free
Tecumseh Center for the Arts has been partnering with Tecumseh Public Schools since the very beginning of the TCA. This season is no different with various music concerts taking place from October 2019 until June 2020. This year's calendar includes high school choir concerts, middle school choir and band concerts, Tecumseh Schools Orchestra concerts and elementary school music concerts. We are looking forward to hosting over 20 Tecumseh Public Schools' events this season. Go Indians! 

​TCA Summer Series | June-August | $10 Each 
We are once again planning a TCA Summer Series which will take place the fourth Saturday of June, July and August. This laid back and informal summer series showcases Pure Michigan talent and provides a venue for many local musicians. 

We look forward to announcing this season's lineup early in the new year. 

Drama Camp | July | TBD
Tecumseh Center for the Arts and Tecumseh Youth Theatre will be collaborating once again by offering summer drama camps. Plans are still being finalized for next year's camp theme, curriculum, dates and pricing. 

Watch for information in January 2020 with registration opening up once again by March 2020. 

Friends of the TCA | TBD 
Tecumseh Center for the Arts is also partnering with the Friends of the TCA for a fundraising event this season. In the past our fundraisers have including Junk to Funk! Eco Fashion Show and The Kentucky Derby Fundraising Gala. We are hoping to go in a different direction this season and are looking forward to making this announcement later this season. 

Stay tuned! 

We are halfway there! Tecumseh Center for the Arts is hoping to raise $20,000 to help offset the cost of our season. Business sponsorships help cover the cost of our shows from stipends to marketing, from hotel rooms and dinners, to playbills and concessions.  

The support from local businesses make our season possible. 

Tecumseh Center for the Arts is still looking for business sponsors from the $100 - $3,000 level. Here is a quick look of what is still available:

Producer's Circle = $3,000 ($3,000 Goal)

• One sponsorship available

Director's Circle = $2,000 ($4,000 Total)

• Sold Out! 

Leading Player = $1,000​ ($10,000 Total) 

• Five more spots available

Supporting Player =$600​ ($6,000 Total) 

• Six more spots available

Ensemble Player = $350 ($3,500 Total) 

• Nine more spots available

Cast Member = $200 ($1,000 Total) 

• Four more spots available

Friends of the TCA = $100 ($500 Total) 

• Nine more spots available 

Tecumseh Center for the Arts offers a robust Business Sponsorship Plan that includes social media promotions, business names on press releases, radio ads, television commercials, and email newsletters. Business sponsors are also included on our website, in our lobby and recognized during shows and concerts. For more information on this year's business sponsorship levels, click here. 

You can also contact TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore for more information. 

The 39th Season has arrived! Five nationally recognized shows return for just $100. This year's season tickets go on sale August 20, 2019 at noon! Join us for Tecumseh Center for the Arts 39th National Touring Season. 

PHASE 5: APR. 25 | 7:30 PM
Voted the #1 R&B Vocal Group in Detroit for 2016, Phase 5 brings you their authentic re-creation of Motown’s greatest hits on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Phase 5 is one of the most electrifying acts to come out of Detroit in a long time. Their smooth jazz mixed with a slamming “in your face” style of today’s Hip Hop and R&B leaves the audience wanting more. Known for their flashy well-choreographed dance moves and glittering eye-popping stage attire – you don’t want to miss Phase 5 at the TCA.  

Tecumseh Center for the Arts is gearing up for its 39th season. To say we're excited is an understatement. This year's season will include even more performances, exciting new touring shows, additional renters and the return of our favorites. 

So what does 39 years of performing arts look like? 

1. Five Shows for $100 returns with our National Touring season featuring jazz, Michigan comedic legends, pianos, aerial acrobatics and a tribute band. 
   
   
2. The 15th production of the Nutcracker Ballet is here with new costumes plus the collaboration between local dance studios and Tecumseh Players. 
   
   
3. More renters than ever before with Dance Steps Studio, Encore Dance Studio, Infusion Performing Arts Academy, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, National Home School Music Ensemble, Neighbors of Hope, MST Dance Center, River Raisin Ragtime Revue, Tecumseh Band Boosters, Tecumseh Pops Orchestra & Community Chorus, Tecumseh Public Schools Music Department, Tecumseh Youth Theatre, and The Ballet School. 
   
   
4. Special events featuring our free Season Preview event, local musicians, TCA Big Band, sing-a-long movies, a free Veterans Day concert,​ and Pure Michigan Talent. 

Don't worry - our entire line up will be announced in the coming weeks. Keep watching our website and Facebook page for more details! And save the date for August 20 when this year's Season Tickets go on sale! 

#thetca #comeseetecumseh #mytecumseh #ichoosetecumseh #performingarts #liveconcerts #theater #tecumsehmi

The 38th season (2018-2019) was one for the record books! Tecumseh Center for the Arts enjoyed a new record number of season ticket holders in recent years (139), had a new record for the amount of money raised through business sponsorships ($20,000), a new record for the number of events held at the theater (92) and an increase in the number of patrons that came through the TCA door (25,000).

In addition, this year's patrons traveled from 27 different Michigan counties and 13 different states to attend events held at Tecumseh Center for the Arts. Of course none of this would be possible without the support and love from the Tecumseh community. 

On July 15, 2019, TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore had the chance to present the statistics from last year's season to the City of Tecumseh's City Council members.

"I think it's important for elected officials and the community to see how much activity takes place at the theater, to understand the economic impact for the City of Tecumseh and its local businesses," stated Gilmore. "I believe the TCA plays a vital role in the Tecumseh community. Having a theater the size of the TCA in a City of 8,000 is remarkable and is something we can all be very proud of." 

Thank you to all of you who attended events this past season at Tecumseh Center for the Arts, who sponsored our shows and made donations to the theater. 

To see more information on last season's statistics, click here.