Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Jay Maki filled the role of Calumet Theatre’s executive director in May 2022 and immediately began building the theater’s 2022 season events schedule.

By GRAHAM JAEHNIG

gjaehnig@mininggazette.com

CALUMET — In May 2022, Jay Maki assumed the position of executive director of the Calumet Theatre when the Theatre Board voted unanimously to hire him. Board President Dan Jamison said Maki has already had a huge impact on the summer and fall seasons in the two months he has been in the role.

Maki is no stranger to the Calumet Theatre, Jamison said, having been with the theater for some 30 years in various roles and responsibilities.

“But he hit the ground running when he came in,” said Jamison, “and gave us a season.”

Jamison said when Maki stepped into the executive director role in May, the theater’s lineup for the season was Gary Hannan presents and the Tamburitzans. Maki’s first order of business was to create a packed 2022 season, a goal he quickly achieved.

Between July 13 and Dec. 16, the event lineup consists of no less than 36 shows and events, not including two private rentals in August and two in September.

In addition, between Aug. 9 and Dec. 27, there are seven ballroom rentals on the schedule, and another for February 2023.

Included on the schedule is the October three-night show of the Calumet Players’ presentation “Freaky Friday.”

Relying on his 30 years’ experience with the theater and its past shows and presentations, he is trying what works.

“Following Friday the 23rd’s Fundraising Gala,” Maki announced at the meeting, “is our first Dinner and a Movie.”

Maki added it has not been advertised yet, but comments from those who have heard of its return “just love the fact that Dinner and a Movie is coming back.”

Maki said his goal is to continue the program in the style of Joe Kirkish’s Club Indigo, which he ran for 25 years. As Kirkish did, Maki will provide trivia information on the movie.

“That was always the fun of the Club Indigo stuff,” said Maki. “So, I’ll do the same thing. I already have a bunch of trivia facts about the movie that we’ll get out there.”

Maki is also not afraid to venture into new territory. A new series he said is introducing consists of travelogues, which will be conducted during the winter.

“It’s something great to do on a Sunday afternoon when it’s snowy out here, and it’s free,” he said. Donations will be accepted, however.

While there have been no new updates on the installation of the theater’s boiler and the theater will remain closed or “dark” for the coldest winter months, that does not mean the theatre board and its committees will be idle.

Jamison said plans for the upcoming 2023 season will be revealed soon.