Recently, 8 local theaters — including Ann Arbor's Performance Network Theatre and Chelsea's Purple Rose Theatre, as well as Detroit Repertory Theatre (Detroit), The Jewish Ensemble Theatre (West Bloomfield), Plowshares Theatre Company (Detroit), Meadow Brook Theatre (Rochester), Tipping Point Theatre (Northville) and Williamston Theatre (Williamston) — announced the formation of the Michigan Equity Theatre Alliance (META).

These professional theaters produce shows under a contract with the Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

META will be a permanent alliance that will foster collaboration at all levels of operations, from marketing and audience development to collective bargaining and sharing inventory. META will strengthen and promote the image of Michigan’s Equity theaters, while finding ways to grow stronger through collaboration. META will pursue projects in each of 4 strategic areas identified as critical for success. These are: marketing, branding and audience development; group vendor and contract negotiation; research, best practices and advocacy; and space and facilities sharing/organizational efficiency.

META was formed through a partnership between the Cultural Alliance for Southeast Michigan (CASM) and the Michigan Non-Profit Association (MNA), funded by the Kresge Foundation and the Ford Foundation, when steering committee members representing seven theatres came together for a series of monthly meetings beginning in April 2009. Through these meetings, the need for several collaborative projects was identified, resulting in the group’s determination to create a permanent alliance. META will undertake projects on an ongoing basis, and will announce its first major event soon.

Members of the META steering committee include: Gary Anderson, Christopher Bremer, Barbara Busby, Donald V. Calamia, James Kuhl, David Magidson, Cheryl Marshall, Carla Milarch, Alan Ribant, Travis Walter and David Wolber. The group is currently working with Lynne Friman, a strategic alliances manager assigned by CASM, to further strategize on which of several projects it will embark on in the coming months.

META is currently in the formative stages, but those interested in learning more may e-mail Carla Milarch at carla@peformancenetwork.org.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.