The birds can nest again. . .

For the past several weeks, I have been inundated
with phone calls and email asking me about the
Christmas shows, and - not having read anything in
the local papers - what was the status of Harvest
Theatre of Toledo.

Well folks, here's the scoop. . .

Due to a variety of reasons, both personal and theatre
business related, it is with great sadness  that I have
stepped down as Producing Director and Board
Member of the Harvest Theatre of Toledo on
November 1st, a company I founded 3 years ago.  I
immediately handed over the  day-to-day operations
and decision-making to the Harvest Board of Directors.
 
I started Harvest Theatre as an act of love.  Having
been involved with theatre over the past 36 years in
theatres all over the country - from long-running
performances in major cities to short "summer stock"
runs in the smallest towns you can imagine, it has
been my great good fortune to have  

Stay tuned for
info on Harvest
Theatre

Soon to come!
Counter
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Harvest Theatre of Toledo is to professionally produce live theatrical
entertainment (plays and musicals) for the betterment and enrichment of the arts and
culture of Toledo, Ohio and it’s surrounding areas.  Such performances are meant to
entertain, educate and elevate the city of Toledo and speak to it's diverse community.  To
that end, keeping prices affordable to all and offering performances that are not just for the
few, but for the many.

The goal of the Harvest Theatre of Toledo is to bring quality live theatrical entertainment in
this immediate geographic area of Northwest Ohio.  The idea is a simple one with long-
range implications:  to produce in as highly professional a manner as possible new works
from up-and-coming playwrights, classics of the world stage, modern pieces from Broadway,
off-Broadway and the best of regional theatres across the country, and finally, musicals of
all walks.  With particular attention drawn to the best actors, writers, technical personnel,
and designers in Toledo and its surrounding areas, the Harvest Theatre of Toledo hopes to
maintain a high standard by which live entertainment is viewed in this city.  
501(c)(3) Information


The Harvest Theatre of Toledo is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.  As such all
donations are tax deductible under guidelines established by the United States Internal
Revenue Service and the United States Department of the Treasury.  We thank you for
your support!
been a part of a profession of which I have taken far more than I've given back. There is
nothing like live theatre.  From first rehearsal to closing performance there is an excitement
that has only be matched in my life by attending the birth of my children.  And, believe me,
starting Harvest Theatre was much like attending a 3 year long birth!

I said from day one that I would step away when it stopped being fun and, for me, the fun
ended with our production of "Doubt".  Please don't misunderstand - it nothing to do with the
production - I was, and am, incredibly proud of our cast and crew for what was a watershed
production in the history of Harvest Theatre.  The audience response and reviews will bear
witness to the fact that we had stepped up to the plate on all levels to produce a highly
acclaimed show.  Unfortunately, the show became secondary to the drama of mounting it.
Losing our performance space with only 4 days to opening was only one of a number of
events that led to my decision.

And while it may seem otherwise, I never wanted Harvest Theatre to be about one person.  I
always had hoped that HT would be about the art.  And that is the part that I will miss - that I
have missed - for the past few shows.  And while it's 'hayseed' as hell (and I never thought I
could get this saccharine), I can't help but quote "A Chorus Line":

Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for love.

Thank you's

To all the actors, designers, crew members, writers,  musicians, and to those I may be
inadvertently  leaving out - thank you for sharing my vision of a theatre dedicated to new
works, American classics and the best shows by some of America's greatest contemporary
writers of which no one has ever heard!

To our patrons, season ticket holders, donors and supporters - thank you for believing in
Harvest Theatre.  You have sustained me personally and made me believe that Toledo
could get behind the kind of theatre we had to offer.   Season Ticket holders will note that
no charges have been put through for this years season, nor checks cashed - a follow up
letter will be sent by me very shortly.

To the press and media folks who were watching us and cheering us on - you have been to
kind - more kind than I would have been in some cases!  But your support of live theatre -
not just Harvest Theatre, by the way - is well appreciated.  Thank you for standing in our
corner!

The Future of HT

The future of Harvest Theatre is in the hands of the Board of Directors.  Their first action
was to cancel the Christmas productions. To the best of my limited knowledge, they are still
set on performing Sam Shepard's "True West".  Beyond that, they have made no
announcements or plans that have been expressed, to the best of my knowledge, publicly.

As for me, Neil Young sand it best - "Been burned, and with both feet on the ground. I've
learned that it's painful coming down".  

At some point, I hope to be able to Direct in the area or outside of Toledo again. Heck I
might even get back on stage - though my AEA status makes that difficult around these
parts.  But my passion for live performance won't ever let me retire permanently.  Besides I
still believe I may have something to offer the arts in this area.

In the meantime, I hope that all 3 of you who read this little message continue to support live
theatre.  It is one of our most vital, urgent and modern art forms.  And yet, it is one of the
least supported in Toledo.   Television and film will always be around, whether in rerun or
DVD, but theatre is temporal, of the moment and ever-changing.  Support live theatre!  If
you don't, you might be missing out on the performance or show of a lifetime!

Fondest regards and Happy Holidays to all,

Bill Quinlan

Harvest Theatre
of Toledo
Welcome