By BTL Staff
Pride Source Media Group, publisher of Between The Lines, announced Aug. 9 the creation of EncoreMichigan.com, a new, weekly Web-based publication that will serve as the premier source for up-to-date news and information about professional theater in Michigan.
The project significantly advances the publishers' commitment to the state's arts community, and in particular, the theater community, said PSMG Vice-President and Co Publisher Jan Stevenson. "Over the past several years we've proved our support by not only offering our readers some of the most comprehensive theater coverage available in print, but also by establishing the annual Wilde Awards that honor the best shows and performances presented each year by our professional theaters. But that's not enough. Our goal has always been to find a better and broader method of delivering theater news to the public, and we believe EncoreMichigan.com is the way to do it."
Planned for a fall launch, EncoreMichigan.com will be accessible directly through the internet or by weekly e-mails sent by participating theaters to their customer base. No user-fees or passwords will be required. Funding will come from advertising support and other sources.
The publication will be a one-stop shop for consumers, explained Susan Horowitz, PSMG's president and co-publisher. "Rather than have to pick up a handful of newspapers or check out multiple Web sites to find out which shows are playing where and when, or for thoughtful interviews, reviews and news stories, EncoreMichigan.com will have all of that – and more. Plus, it will expose theatergoers to ALL of the excitement our theaters are generating each and every week throughout the state. And contrary to popular belief, there IS a lot of great theater going on – despite some very tough economic times right now."
Editorial content for EncoreMichigan.com will be produced under the direction of Donald V. Calamia, PSMG's highly regarded theater and arts editor and originator of the concept. "EncoreMichigan.com won't be merely a repository of static and boring information," Calamia said. "Rather, it will be a fresh, innovative and interactive experience that will not only provide timely and useful material to the public, but also help our professional theaters expand, grow and prosper well into the future."
