It was a very good year
Calumet Theatre holds annual meeting
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CALUMET -- The Calumet Theatre Company conducted its annual members meeting in the Red Jacket Ballroom Monday, featuring a review of the past year’s growth and the election of new board leadership.
Board President Bob Wareham provided the year-end update, saying he was pleased with the theatre's performance.
"My comments are we've had a great year, I think," he said. "In fact, we had to have an audit."
Wareham said the audit was required by the state because the theater had raised more money than expected. He noted that he welcomes the audit, as the theater has not had one in several years. Executive Director Dan Jamison added that the organization was allowed one waiver, which was exercised in 2012.
"So, the records haven't been audited and I'm looking forward to what it shows," Wareham said.
Jamison explained that once the audit is complete, the company can renew its solicitation license, allowing it to again apply for grants.
"We couldn't apply for grants for pretty much anything from November forward," Jamison said.
Wareham thanked the staff and volunteers, highlighting two back-to-back sellout shows as well as a successful fundraiser led by board member Jim Enrietti, which raised more than $18,000.
Former Executive Director Nate Jones presented his summary of the theater's 2025-2026 fiscal year, agreeing with Wareham that it has been a strong period for the historic venue.
"Sales-wise, attendance-wise, it's been amazing," Jones said. "We had two shows back-to-back, the ABBA show and the Eagles tribute, which were sell-outs."
Sales records for the past three years showed a steady annual increase in activities between 2023 and 2026.
"My first year here, 2023 to 2024, our total revenue was $173,120," Jones said. "Because we are a nonprofit, the state requires an audit because we have the extra money."
The following year, Jones noted, the theater did not host performances for two months, May and June, due to the assembly and installation of the new chandelier in the auditorium.
"Even so, we were down last year," Jones said. "We only brought in $141,068."
However, financial records for the 2025-2026 fiscal year show revenue bounced back significantly, rising to $211,576.
Jones praised the theater's expanded community outreach over the past year, noting his belief that those efforts helped to elevate its image in the public eye.
"I will say I feel that people's confidence in the theater and in what we're doing--such as the chandelier, our programming, and volunteering our space to help our other nonprofits like the Omega House and the Angel Mission--is growing," Jones said.
Three candidates were elected to the Calumet Theatre Board of Directors by theater members during the meeting. Rebecca Hovis was re-elected to the board, alongside former Technical Director Reese White and local historian Larry Malloy.
Following the general meeting, the newly organized board conducted its election of officers. Trustee Charles Anderson was elected treasurer, after having been appointed to the position last spring. Trustee and Chandelier Society organizer Jim Enrietti was elected board president, and Graham Jaehnig was elected to serve as secretary.
Discussion regarding upcoming programming for the theater’s next season is scheduled to take place during the board’s regular monthly meeting in October.
Editor's Note: Gazette staff writer Graham Jaehnig serves as a trustee on the Calumet Theatre Company Board of Directors and was elected board secretary during Monday evening’s annual meeting.