Bay Theatre Company, a twelve-year-old Annapolis-based company, announced last night that it is suspending operations effective May 12, 2013. Board of Directors President Barbara Brown blames an inability to obtain a long-term lease on an “appropriate” theater space for the company’s demise.
“We have spent a year looking for appropriate space, but were unable to find it,” Brown said. “We very much appreciate the public’s support over the past 12 years.”
The critically-acclaimed company had received its share of attention from the Helen Hayes Awards recently. Rena Cherry Brown, a company regular, received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Play for her performance as Dr. Vivian Bering in Wit in 2012, and Kathryn Kelley and Bill Largess had been nominated for outstanding lead performances for their work in The Belle of Amherst in 2013 and The Foreigner in 2011, respectively.
Bay Theatre is currently producing Arthur Miller’s The Price, which it will close a week early so that the company can dismantle its stage before May 31st. Those holding tickets for performances after May 12 may exchange them for performances on or before that date, or may receive a refund by calling 877-503-9463 or e-mailing [email protected].
