Footliters Announce Plan to Purchase Cadillac 4 Theater

The Cadillac Footliters, a local 501c(3) charitable community theatre organization and cornerstone of the Cadillac community since 1964, announced a plan today to purchase the historic Cadillac 4 Theater located in downtown Cadillac. With the Cadillac 4’s parent company currently in bankruptcy and facing liquidation, the Footliters’ plan proposes to protect the site and availability of movies in downtown Cadillac, while adding a live theatre, music, and event space for other community groups’ utilization.  

“Since we lost our home to fire 30 years ago, the Cadillac Footliters have searched for a new permanent place to call home, and with more than 50 years of community support we’re thrilled to be in a position to immediately assume ownership of the Cadillac 4 and establish the next generation of community-owned and -driven arts and entertainment in Cadillac,” said Joseph Baumann, president of the Cadillac Footliters’ Board of Directors. 

Footliters intends to place a bid on the theatre in bankruptcy. Today’s announcement comes as the theatre’s future is increasingly uncertain amidst Michigan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We were saddened to learn of the Cadillac 4’s status because of its historic presence and status as the home for movie-goers in the Cadillac community,” said Baumann. “As extended stay-at-home orders and other factors continue to cloud its future, we’re thrilled to provide a vision and plan for an immediate, viable, and community-based solution.”

Footliters’ plan for the space includes preserving a downtown movie theater while expanding entertainment offerings to include live theatre, music, and events in collaboration with community partners. 

“In this uncertain time, preserving the Cadillac 4’s core mission, meeting the Footliters’ vision to engage, enrich, and entertain, and ensuring the long-term viability of this Cadillac landmark could not be a more perfect fit,” said Baumann. “We’re thrilled at the prospect of saving this downtown monument to Cadillac’s rich theater history, establishing a permanent home for Footliters, and serving as an important foundation to downtown Cadillac’s imminent economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO READ THE FRONT PAGE ARTICLE

IN THE MAY 13, 2020 CADILLAC NEWS...CLICK HERE.

To our dear community,

We’re writing to provide an update on the Cadillac Footliters’ response to the COVID-19 situation. 

Last night, Governor Whitmer closed schools and ordered the cancellation of events, assemblies, and large groups of people due to the spread of COVID-19.  This is a rapidly evolving and unprecedented public health situation, which we all bear a responsibility to address.  

In response, and out of an abundance of caution for our casts, crews, and audience members, we made the difficult decision to alter our current audition, rehearsal, and show schedule as follows:  

• Lion King Junior rehearsals are canceled until further notice.
• Lion King Junior performances are postponed pending licensing approval.
• Mamma Mia auditions are postponed until further notice.
• Cinderella, our teen production, will be moved to a later season.

Like you, we are devastated by the world’s situation, our place in it, and the canceling or postponing of the activities and interactions we hold most dear - art and theatre.  But we will overcome this together.

There’s a famous saying in theater: “The show must go on.” As the health and safety of our Footliters’ and greater Cadillac communities must be everyone’s top priority, we look forward to engaging, enriching, and entertaining the community for years to come—just as we have for the last 56—at a safer time. 

Thank you for your love and support.

The Cadillac Footliters Board of Directors

Cadillac’s Footliters have announced their expanded 56th Season. The 2019-2020 season features additional performances, music, youth programming, and venues as the non-profit community theatre group continues its growth.  

We knew our community was hungry for more new, exciting, and special productions,” said Footliters’ president Joe Baumann.  “We’re thrilled to announce our 56th season in Cadillac, which promises even more engagement, enrichment, and entertainment.”

SEE THE 2020 SCHEDULE...

Teenagers ages 14-18 interested in volunteering for The Lion King Junior may email Director Shelley Taylor at staylor@cadillacfootliters.com. Auditions coming this Friday and Saturday!

Mamma Mia auditions will be on Sunday, March 15 from 3:30-7:00 pm and Monday, March 16 from 6:15-8:30 pm at the Cadillac High School Auditorium. Click here for the Audition Hub. 

This plan describes what we intend to continue building over the next three years to expand our mission and reach. Engage. Enrich. Entertain. Click here to read the exciting plan for the future. 

Cadillac Footliters’ growing reputation for quality theatre experiences will grow even further in 2019 with technical improvements to their live performances. The non-profit local theatre company recently received a $3,000 grant to improve performances with new microphones from the Cadillac Area Community Foundation. To read the complete news article...Click Here.