AADL Talks To: Russ Collins, Executive Director/CEO Marquee Arts

Fri, 10/25/2024 - 12:49pm

Russ Collins grew up in Ann Arbor and received a Masters degree in Arts Administration from the University of Michigan just before becoming Manager of the Michigan Theater in November 1982. Russ walks us through the evolution of the Michigan Theater over its near-100-year history, from the vaudeville and silent film eras through the ups and downs of the celluloid and digital eras. He also takes us into the weeds of technical changes over the years; discusses historical preservation efforts in renovations to both the Michigan and the State theaters; and touches on programming and marketing challenges following the collapse of the newspaper industry. Russ will retire in December 2024.

There Went The Neighborhood - State Theatre Interview: Larry Young

Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:34am

Larry Young was interviewed after a preliminary screening of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School at the State Theatre on April 16, 2023. He speaks about participating in the French Dukes and founding the Salt of the Earth drill team.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

There Went The Neighborhood - State Theatre Interview: Yael Gannett

Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:31am

Yael Gannett was interviewed after a preliminary screening of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School at the State Theatre on April 16, 2023. She remembers attending Jones School and Wines Elementary.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

There Went The Neighborhood - State Theatre Interview: Scott Forrest McFadden

Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:27am

Scott Forrest McFadden was interviewed after a preliminary screening of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School at the State Theatre on April 16, 2023. After attending preschool at Jones School, he recalls being bused to Allen Elementary School.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

There Went The Neighborhood - State Theatre Interview: Mary Hinton-Jones

Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:14am

Mary Hinton Jones was interviewed after a preliminary screening of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School at the State Theatre on April 16, 2023. She shares memories of Jones School and the surrounding neighborhood, including why many Black homeowners moved away.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

There Went The Neighborhood - State Theatre Interview: Don Simons

Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:02am

Don Simons was interviewed after a preliminary screening of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School at the State Theatre on April 16, 2023. He recounts his experiences as a Black athlete in Ann Arbor.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

There Went The Neighborhood - State Theatre Interview: Diana McKnight-Morton

Tue, 08/06/2024 - 5:20pm

Diana McKnight-Morton was interviewed after a preliminary screening of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School at the State Theatre on April 16, 2023. She describes her father’s business, DeLong’s Bar-B-Q, which operated across from the farmers’ market.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

There Went The Neighborhood - State Theatre Interview: David Malcolm

Thu, 08/01/2024 - 1:45pm

David Malcolm was interviewed after a preliminary screening of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School at the State Theatre on April 16, 2023. He speaks about his grandfather, Gilbert Pitts, who was a custodian at Jones School.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.