Harbor Beach launches Patrons of the Theatre after Bad Axe’s screen goes dark

HARBOR BEACH, Mich. — Residents have formed Patrons of the Theatre, a nonprofit aimed at keeping the Harbor Beach Community Theatre open after the Bad Axe Theatre closed, Huron County View reported in late September.

The group has about 28 members and an executive committee. It plans a fundraising campaign within about a month, with corporate and individual giving tiers, a donor board inside the theater, and memorial tributes. As a 501(c)(3), eligible gifts can be tax-deductible.

Heather Legatz, the group’s vice president, said the theater runs an annual operating deficit of roughly $12,000 to $15,000 even without surprise repairs. A recent projector repair underscored the need, she said. Building maintenance for the Community House and District Library complex does not cover theater operations.

“It’s an old building, but we try and keep it up,” Legatz said. “The brick and mortar is good, and now it’s the only theater in Huron County, so that makes it even more important for it to stay open.”

The house seats more than 400, shows first-run movies, offers free Mondays, and hosts tribute concerts, plays and school productions. Since Bad Axe closed, Legatz said more out-of-town moviegoers have been showing up. Harbor Beach will honor Bad Axe frequent-moviegoer punch cards punch-for-punch, though the reward may differ.

The theater is nearing the 100th anniversary of its rebuilding after a fire. For joining or donating, the paper listed Sally Arndt at 989-553-4386 or Lynn McKinstry at 517-214-7128; rentals are at 989-479-3417.

Sources:
Seth Stapleton, Huron County View, “Local group launches effort to support Harbor Beach Community Theatre,” Sept. 24, 2026, https://huroncountyview.com/articles/local-group-launches-effort-to-support-harbor-beach-community-theatre/
Image: AI-generated illustration by The Mitten Daily.

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