In 1926, led by the first president, Connie Stanton, The Islanders staged its initial performance as a community theater group.
Fred Glover directed "The Man Who Married a Dumb Wife."
Since that time, more than 250 plays and musicals have been staged. Here is a list of a few: "Steel Magnolias," "Blithe Spirit," "Bell, Book and Candle," "Arsenic and Old Lace," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "The Cemetery Club," "Sylvia," "The King and I," "The Sound of Music," "Bye Bye Birdie," "Hello Dolly" and "Nunsense."
Memories from the heyday of The Islanders are plentiful — a time when there was a waiting list to join the club, houses were packed and most activities were black tie.
Unfortunately, those times are long gone. In truth, The Islanders has been experiencing a steady loss of membership, decreased participation in productions and dwindling audiences for the last 10 years and most pronounced for the last five.
From 2002 to 2006 we had some successful social events and successful theme-oriented revues called "Club Flamingo."
However, in both the 2004 and 2005 seasons, we were able to stage only one limited production per season.
Perhaps things would have been different if we had our own venue in which to rehearse and perform. The successful community theater groups in the area state that this is the key to their success.
In the 1960s, The Islanders elected to donate the money from the building fund to the high school to help construct the high school auditorium in exchange for a performance "home for life."
Unfortunately, this agreement was made with a handshake rather than a contract and the high school no longer has an obligation or the space to guarantee performance space.
There are many theories about the downfall of The Islanders, but the fact is that, without meaning to, people have lost interest in the club. Families have become too busy to devote the time needed to commit to a full production.
For the last five years, the same 10 to 15 volunteers have worked diligently on each production.
In 2004, we lost our main set builder because of lack of assistance when building the sets and there have not been enough actors or stage support to produce a show since the 2005 production of "Sylvia."
In July 2006, the membership of The Islanders charged the new board of governors with the task of determining the viability of the club. The board was told to evaluate the club and, if it was determined that the club was no longer viable, take the necessary steps to dissolve it.
We set two benchmarks to be met as a measure of viability. The first was to provide a successful season of events; the second was to attract 10 new members.
In an attempt to attract new members, we developed a season of interesting and fun events.
Judy Dery, star of the hit "Menopause, the Musical," regaled us with an evening of song and stories of growing up in the area and her trials and travails experienced while pursuing a career as a professional actor.
We held an instant theater party. It was a new concept for the group, was well attended and all who gave feedback had a great time.
Finally, we held a retro karaoke party. A small group of members and a few loyal nonmembers attended the party and everyone had a good time.
Unfortunately, even with these three well-received events, we were not able to attract any new members. Each event attracted about 50 people — many of whom were not members. Those who attended were generally of an older demographic and our ability to attract any new members, especially those under the age of 40, did not materialize.
We are now in the very untenable position of making the decision that the club that we call The Islanders is no longer viable.
The stark reality is that we cannot sustain ourselves, attract new members, or attract new talent to cast shows. This should come as no surprise to those of you who are reading this.
We blanketed the island with pleas for help in saving the club and to attend the events this season — with the result being a grand total of zero new members.
We did so with the cooperation of The Ile Camera, whose editors ran article after article and multiple advertisements on our behalf; The News-Herald, whose editors did the same; the island Kroger that distributed thousands of fliers announcing events and auditions; the Grosse Ile Historical Society, which assisted us in an all-island mailing attempting to attract new members; and the usual group of volunteers.
Faced with the events of this season and with the best interest of the club in mind, it is the decision of the board of governors to disband The Islanders and cease being a community theater club.
Tentatively, excess funds will be donated to the Grosse Ile Alliance for the Arts, scripts will be given to the Southgate Players and historical documents will become property of the Grosse Ile Historical Society.
Negotiations are under way with the president of the Southgate Players, who has offered to allow our lifetime members to transfer their lifetime membership to their organization.
As the president of The Islanders for the 2006-07 season, I want to thank all of you who have given your all trying to save the organization, those who attended productions and those of you who simply wish us well.
To say that it has been a pleasure to be associated with The Islanders would be a gross understatement. In fact, it has been a great honor to be associated with all of you for the past six years and to be part of your leadership for the past three years.
It is with a heavy heart that we all came to this decision, but it is time to bow gracefully, close the curtain and turn out the footlights.
Before we turn out the lights one last time, however, we will be hosting one more event.
The Islanders presents: The Last Curtain Call — a chance to say goodbye, share memories and honor all that is The Islanders.
The event will be held, Sept. 15 at Perdino's restaurant — black tie optional.
No admission will be charged for current members in good standing or life members. Admission for non-members is $20 per person.
There will be a cash bar, dinner, a chance to review memorabilia, view old performances and visit with dear friends.
Seating is limited. Reservations are requested. For information, please call 1-734-692-5620 by Tuesday. Please do not call Perdino's directly.
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