And the Oscar Goes to … Michigan's Theaters!

Consumers Energy Supports Theaters Across State with $725,000 in Grants

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Feb 20, 2015, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- While the Academy Awards recognize Hollywood's accomplishments this weekend, Michigan residents are watching movies at distinctive theaters throughout the state, many of which have benefitted from Consumers Energy grants.

Consumers Energy and the Consumers Energy Foundation have contributed $725,000 to theaters and theater organizations over the last two decades across Michigan. The support comes from a mix of company donations, grants and Volunteer Investment Program (VIP) grants from employees and retirees who are active in theater and the arts.

"The positive impact of vibrant theaters on Michigan communities can't be understated," said Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary-treasurer of the Consumers Energy Foundation.

"That's why it's been so important for Consumers Energy, our Foundation and employees to support and sustain these centers of art and family entertainment. Our financial and volunteer investments help enhance the communities we serve, making them stronger, more attractive places to live," Bloodworth said.

The Consumers Energy Foundation has awarded grants that often assist with interior and exterior building renovations as well as technology upgrades. Some of the larger grants benefitted:

State Theatre ($125,000) and Bijou By the Bay ($25,000) in Traverse City
Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids ($50,000)
Michigan Theatre in Jackson ($30,000)
Vogue Theatre in Manistee ($30,000)
Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit ($25,000)
Owosso Community Players' Lebowsky Center in Owosso ($20,000)
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre ($15,000)
Bohm Theatre in Albion ($12,500)

Other notable grants by geographic area included:

Metro Detroit: Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Rochester, Meadow Brook Theatre Guild
Central: The Community Circle Players Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing
Great Lakes Bay: Bay City Players in Bay City, Pit & Balcony Theatre in Saginaw
West: Broadway Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts, Society for Theatre Arts Growth and Enjoyment in Mid-Michigan in Big Rapids, Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee
Southwest: Farmers Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo, Regent Theatre in Allegan
Southern: Croswell Opera House in Adrian, Wild Swan Theater in Ann Arbor

Consumers Energy employees and retirees also continue to support theaters across the state through volunteer activities. VIP grants recognize their time and talents contributed to theaters and have been awarded directly to theater organizations.

One employee volunteer is Chuck Sartorius, an IT professional who works at the company's Jackson headquarters. Sartorius has had many roles at the Mid-Michigan Family Theatre and Riverwalk Theatre in the Lansing area. He believes the theater allows creative thinking for many Michiganders, especially youth.

"Getting youth involved and exposed to theater yields not only an appreciation for the arts, but exposes them to ways to express creativity and become more confident," Sartorius said.

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FOUNDATION: For more information about the Consumers Energy Foundation, grants and Volunteer Investment Program grants, go to www.consumersenergy.com/foundation.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy