# Purple Rose Theatre Company

The Purple Rose Theatre Company is a 501(c) non-profit regional theater located in Chelsea, Michigan. It was founded in 1991 by actor and playwright Jeff Daniels. Its name comes from the 1985 film The Purple Rose of Cairo, which starred Daniels and for which he earned his first Golden Globe nomination.

## History

In the early 1900s, Jeff Daniels’ grandfather owned the building that would one day become the Purple Rose as a car and bus garage. Other business in the same building included a gas station, pizza parlor, and vegetable stand. In 1989, the building was renovated by Daniels to be donated to the Purple Rose.
The building is in the historic district of downtown Chelsea. The lobby features 1930's décor – including marbled glass chandeliers and an art deco box office. In 2018, the lobby (including its bathrooms) was renovated including updated carpeting, new bathrooms, and white walls with purple accents.
The Purple Rose produces four shows a year. In 2017, the Purple Rose produced its 100th production with the revival of Vino Veritas by Michigan playwright David MacGregor.

## Performance space

In 1999, a capital campaign worth $2.2 million was launched with the aim to expand the building including the stage, lobby, and administrative spaces. During renovations, the building closed for a year and a half to reopen in January, 2001. The mortgage for the building was paid off in March, 2004.
The renovated stage space is a ¾ thrust with 168 seats with each seat five rows back or less.
In 2017, a two-phase roof renovation project was completed that raised the roof in the backstage area to accommodate more ceiling space above the stage – approximately 1,000 square feet. The project was completed with the help of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

## Notable artists

Guy Sanville was artistic director for over 20 years. In those years, Sanville directed over 60 productions, and performed in 12 – including The Tropical Pickle, A Stone Carver and The Odd Couple as Oscar. Sanville resigned in 2021.
Bart Bauer, one of the founding members of the theatre, has designed over 35 sets for the Purple Rose including the Sherlock Holmes world premieres and Annapurna.
Television stars and brothers Matt & Brian Letscher both got both their acting and playwriting starts at the Purple Rose.
Carey Crim is a Michigan playwright with 5 world-premieres produced at the Purple Rose. Crim, daughter of famed Detroit Broadcast Journalist Mort Crim, started at the Purple Rose as an actor. Most recently, she had her plays Morning After Grace and Never Not Once appear on the Purple Rose stage. Morning After Grace has since had runs at Royal Manitoba Theatre Company, Asolo Rep, and Shakespeare and Co.
David MacGregor is another Michigan playwright with 6 productions at the Purple Rose. MacGregor is in the process of creating a trilogy of plays about Sherlock Holmes. The first play involves Vincent Van Gogh and Oscar Wilde, and the second involves Auguste Escoffier and Prince Albert Edward.
Emergency! TV star Randolph Mantooth has performed in two productions at the Purple Rose: Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts & the world premiere Morning After Grace by Carey Crim.

## Productions

| World premiere | Midwest premiere | Revival |
| Season | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer | Notes |
| 1991–'92 | | Blush at Nothing by Lisa A. Wing | Shoe Man by Jeff Daniels | Kuru by Josh C. Manheimer | First performance - February 7, 1991 |
| '92-'93 | Ties that Bind by Kitty S. Dubin | More Fun than Bowling by Steven Dietz | | The Tropical Pickle by Jeff Daniels | No performances April 13-July 6 |
| '92–'93 | Possessed: The Dracula Musical by Robert Marasco, music by Jason Darrow & Carter Cathcart | Necessities by Velina Hasu Houston | National Anthems by Dennis McIntyre | Nooner by Kim Carney | |
| '93–'94 | The Vast Difference by Jeff Daniels | Two Sisters by T. E. Williams | Keely & Du by Jane Martin | Stanton's Garage by Joan Ackermann | |
| '94–'95 | Thy Kingdom's Coming by Jeff Daniels | Only Me and You by Kim Carney | Hang the Moon by Suzanne Burr | Weekend Comedy by Jeanne and Sam Bobrick | 5th Season |
| '95–'96 | Escanaba in Da Moonlight* by Jeff Daniels | Beast on the Moon by Richard Kalinoski | Spring Comedy Festival: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Lust A collection of short plays by Anthony Caselli, Jeff Daniels, Randall Godwin, Jeffry Herman, Dennis North, Rich Orloff, and Suzi Regan | The Harmony Codes by Michael Grady | *1st in Escanaba Trilogy |
| '96–'97 | Apartment 3A by Jeff Daniels | Labor Day by Kim Carney | Hot l Baltimore by Lanford Wilson | Off the Map by Joan Ackermann | |
| '97–'98 | Escanaba in Da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels | Julie Johnson by Wendy Hammond | Book of Days by Lanford Wilson | Marcus is Walking by Joan Ackermann | |
| '98–'99 | Boom Town by Jeff Daniels | The Hole by Wendy Hammond | The Big Slam by Bill Corbett | Criminal Genius by George F. Walker | Renovations closed the theatre from Aug. 28, 1999 - Jan. 10, 2001 |
| 2001 | | Rain Dance by Lanford Wilson | Orphan Train: An American Melodrama by Dennis E. North | Completing Dahlia by Annie Martin | 10th Season |
| '01–'02 | Guys on Ice by Fred Alley (Book and Lyrics) & James Kaplan (Music) | Months on End by Craig Pospisil | Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin | Let it Be by Dennis E. North | |
| '02–'03 | Across the Way by Jeff Daniels | Stand by Toni Press-Coffman | Hope for Corky by Randall Godwin | Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward | |
| '03–'04 | The Good Doctor by Neil Simon | Leaving Iowa by Tim Clue & Spike Manton | The Underpants by Carl Sternheim Adapted by Steve Martin | Duck Hunter Shoots Angel by Mitch Albom | |
| '04–'05 | The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlam | Norma and Wanda by Jeff Daniels | Bus Stop by William Inge | And the Winner Is... by Mitch Albom | |
| '05–'06 | The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams | Guest Artist by Jeff Daniels | The Late Great Henry Boyle by David MacGregor | Honus and Me by Steven Dietz | 15th Season |
| '06–'07 | Escanaba in Love* by Jeff Daniels | The Subject was Roses by Frank D. Gilroy | When the Lights Come On by Brian Letscher | Sea of Fools by Matt Letscher | *2nd in Escanaba Trilogy |
| '07–'08 | The Poetry of Pizza by Deborah Brevoort | Vino Veritas by David MacGregor | Growing Pretty by Carey Crim | Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid A play with music by Jeff Daniels | |
| '08–'09 | Apartment 3A by Jeff Daniels | A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams | Bleeding Red by Michael Brian Ogden | Wake by Carey Crim | |
| '09–'10 | Escanaba* by Jeff Daniels | Gravity by David MacGregor | Our Town by Thornton Wilder | Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti, adapted by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans | *3rd in Escanaba Trilogy |
| '10–'11 | Best of Friends by Jeff Daniels | Corktown by Michael Brian Ogden | Some Couples May... by Carey Crim | Consider the Oyster by David MacGregor | 20th Season |
| '11–'12 | Escanaba in Da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels | A Stone Carver by William Mastrosimone | White Buffalo by Don Zolidis | On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson | |
| '12–'13 | Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts | The Meaning of Almost Everything by Jeff Daniels | 33 Variations by Moisés Kaufman | Miles & Ellie by Don Zolidis | |
| '13–'14 | The Vast Difference by Jeff Daniels | Redwood Curtain by Lanford Wilson | Spring Comedy Festival: Lovers, Liars, and Lunatics A collection of short plays by Carey Crim, Jeff Daniels, Kirsten Knisely, Lauren Knox, David MacGregor, & Craig Pospisil | The Last Romance by Joe DiPietro | |
| '14–'15 | Annapurna by Sharr White | Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling | Talley's Folly by Lanford Wilson | 2AZ by Michael Brian Ogden | |
| '15–'16 | Casting Session by Jeff Daniels | The Odd Couple by Neil Simon | Gaps in the Fossil Record by Matt Letscher | Morning's at Seven by Paul Osborn | 25th Season |
| '16–'17 | Morning after Grace by Carey Crim | Smart Love by Brian Letscher | Vino Veritas by David MacGregor | Harvey by Mary Chase | |
| '17–'18 | God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza Translated by Christopher Hampton | Flint by Jeff Daniels | Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear* by David MacGregor | Willow Run by Jeff Duncan Music by Brad Phillips, Ben Daniels, Jeff Daniels, and Angie Kane | *1st in Sherlock Trilogy |
| '18–'19 | Diva Royale by Jeff Daniels | Never Not Once by Carey Crim | All My Sons by Arthur Miller | Welcome to Paradise by Julie Marino | |
| '19–'20 | Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Soufflé* by David MacGregor | Roadsigns** by Jeff Daniels Music by Ben & Jeff Daniels | Closed due to COVID-19 | Closed due to COVID-19 | *2nd in Sherlock Trilogy **Closed 3 performances early due to COVID-19. |

### Notable productions

In 1995, Daniels wrote Escanaba in Da Moonlight about a hunting lodge in the Upper Peninsula (The U.P.) of Michigan. This was the first of three plays Daniels wrote about “Yoopers” (residents of the U.P.), the other two being Escanaba in Love in 2006, and Escanaba in 2009.
In 1997 the Purple Rose produced Hot l Baltimore written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Lanford Wilson. This production was the first play of Wilson's performed at the Purple Rose, and one of only two plays directed by Jeff Daniels. Wilson eventually ended up writing Book of Days (1998) and Rain Dance (2000) for the theatre, his final two plays before he died in 2011.
In 2017, the Purple Rose produced Willow Run, a play about Rosie the Riveters who worked at the Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan. On August 18, nine original Rosies attended the performance.

### Onstage & Unplugged

Starting in 2001, Daniels started performing a holiday concert titled “Onstage & Unplugged” where he sings and plays guitar for a limited engagement of shows as a fundraiser for the theatre. Jeff plays original music and sometimes is joined onstage by close musician friends such as Brad Phillips, the Ben Daniels Band, and Brian Vander Ark.

## Critical reception and awards

In 1994, Detroit News named The Purple Rose “Theatre of the Year”.
In 1998, the American Theatre Critics Association awarded the “Best New Play” award to Book of Days by Lanford Wilson.
The Purple Rose has won three Edgerton Foundation New Play awards – for White Buffalo (2011), Gaps in the Fossil Record (2015), and Willow Run (2017). The award allows theaters to pay artists for a week of rehearsal and workshops.
In February 2013, the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the Purple Rose with the Large Business Leadership Award.
In September 2016, during their 25th anniversary fundraiser, The Senior Senator from Michigan, Debbie Stabenow, presented a commendation to the Purple Rose, applauding its cultural and economic impact in South East Michigan.

### Wilde Awards

Since 2002, the Wilde Awards have recognized Michigan's professional theatre community. The Purple Rose has won 24 of these Wilde Awards, out of a total of 129 nominations.
| Year | Category | Nominee | Play | Result |
| 2003 | Favorite Male Performer in a Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Ryan Carlson | Hope for Corky | Nominated |
| 2003 | Favorite Female Performer in a Local Professional Production – DRAMA | Sandra Birch | Stand | Nominated |
| 2004 | Critic's Choice Award – “A” Season of Excellence | Purple Rose Theatre | n/a | Won |
| 2004 | Favorite Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Guy Sanville & Anthony Caselli, directors | Blythe Spirit | Nominated |
| 2004 | Favorite Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Guy Sanville, director | The Good Doctor | Nominated |
| 2004 | Favorite Male Performer in a Local Professional Production – COMEDY | John Lepard | Leaving Iowa | Nominated |
| 2004 | Favorite Male Performer in a Local Professional Production – COMEDY / MUSICAL | Malcolm Tulip | Blithe Spirit | Nominated |
| 2004 | Favorite Supporting Female Performer in a Local Professional Production, COMEDY / MUSICAL | Sandra Birch | Blithe Spirit | Nominated |
| 2004 | Favorite Supporting Female Performer in a Local Professional Production, COMEDY / MUSICAL | Sarab Kamoo | The Underpants | Nominated |
| 2004 | Favorite Supporting Male Performer in a Local Professional Production, COMEDY / MUSICAL | Randall Godwin | The Underpants | Nominated |
| 2004 | Favorite Supporting Male Performer in a Local Professional Production, COMEDY / MUSICAL | Jim Porterfeld | Leaving Iowa | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Supporting Male Performer in a Local Professional Production– COMEDY | John Lepard | Bus Stop | Won |
| 2005 | Favorite Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Anthony Caselli, director | The Mystery of Irma Vep | Nominated |
| 2005 | Favorite Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Guy Sanville, director | Norma & Wanda | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Supporting Female Performer in a Local Professional Production COMEDY | Terry Heck | Norma & Wanda | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Supporting Male Performer in a Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Grant R. Krause | Norma & Wanda | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Supporting Male Performer in a Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Jim Porterfield | Norma & Wanda | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Duo in a Local Professional Production | Sandra Birch & Michelle Mountain | Norma & Wanda | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Duo in a Local Professional Production | John Lepard & John Seibert | The Mystery of Irma Vep | Nominated |
| 2006 | Critic's Choice Award: Best Duo in a Local Professional Production | Grant R. Krause & Patrick Michael Kenney | Guest Artist | Won |
| 2006 | Favorite Local Professional Production – COMEDY | Guy Sanville, director | The Late Great Henry Boyle | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Lead Actor – COMEDY | Grant R. Krause | And The Winner Is | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Lead Actor – COMEDY | John Lepard | The Late Great Henry Boyle | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Supporting Actress – COMEDY | Sarab Kamoo | And The Winner Is | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Supporting Actor – COMEDY | Paul Hopper | And The Winner Is | Nominated |
| 2006 | Favorite Local Professional Production – DRAMA | Guy Sanville, director | Guest Artist | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Lead Actress – DRAMA | Michelle Mountain | The Glass Menagerie | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Supporting Actress – DRAMA | Molly Thomas | The Glass Menagerie | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Supporting Actor – DRAMA | Ryan Carlson | The Glass Menagerie | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Supporting Actor – DRAMA | Randall Godwin | Guest Artist | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Local Professional COMEDY | Guy Sanville, director | Escanaba in Love | Won |
| 2007 | Best Actor – COMEDY | Nicaolas J. Smith | Honus and Me | Won |
| 2007 | Best Duo or Trio in a Local Professional Production | Will David Young, Paul Hopper & Wayne David Parker | Escanaba in Love | Won |
| 2007 | Best Local Professional COMEDY | Guy Sanville, director | Honus and Me | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Local Professional DRAMA | Quintessa Gallinat, director | The Subject Was Roses | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Supporting Actor – COMEDY or DRAMA | Randall Godwin | Honus and Me | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Duo or Trio in a Local Professional Production | Grant R. Krause & Patrick Michael Kenney | The Subject Was Roses | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Set Design | Bartley H. Bauer | The Subject Was Roses | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Set Design | Daniel C. Walker | Escanaba in Love | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Actor – COMEDY | Guy Sanville | Sea of Fools | Won |
| 2008 | Best Actress – COMEDY | Sandra Birch | Sea of Fools | Won |
| 2008 | Best Local Professional COMEDY | Matt Letscher, director | Sea of Fools | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Actor – COMEDY | Phil Powers | Vino Veritas | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actor | Clyde Brown | Sea of Fools | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Technical Design (set) | Vincent Mountain | Sea of Fools | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Technical Design (set) | Daniel C. Walker | Vino Veritas | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best New Script | Jeff Daniels | Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid | Won |
| 2009 | Best Comedy | Guy Sanville, director | Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best New Script | Michael Brian Ogden | Bleeding Red | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Teamwork by a Duo or Trio | John Seibert & Tom Whalen | Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Design: Set | Dennis G. Crawley | Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid | Nominated |
| 2010 | Critics' Choice Award: Design and Technical Excellence Award | Purple Rose Theatre | Gravity | Won |
| 2010 | Best Actor – Drama | Alex Leydenfrost | Gravity | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Actor – Drama | Will David Young | Our Town | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Support – Comedy | Stacie Hadgikosti | Wake | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Support – Drama | Will David Young | Gravity | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Design – Lights | Daniel C. Walker | Our Town | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Design – Sets | Dennis G. Crawley | Escanaba | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best New Script | David MacGregor | Gravity | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Production of a New Script | Guy Sanville, director | Escanaba | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Production of a New Script | Guy Sanville, director | Gravity | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Production of a New Script | Guy Sanville, director | Corktown | Won |
| 2011 | Best Comedy | Nathan Mitchell, director | Boeing-Boeing | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Production of a New Script | Guy Sanville, director | Best of Friends | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Performance, Actor – Comedy | Jim Porterfield | Some Couples May... | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Teamwork | Matthew David & Michael Brian Ogden | Corktown | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best New Script | Michael Brian Ogden | Corktown | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Drama | Rhiannon Ragland, director | A Stone Carver | Won |
| 2012 | Best Performance, Actor – Drama | Guy Sanville | A Stone Carver | Won |
| 2012 | Best Comedy | Guy Sanville, director | Escanaba in da Moonlight | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Design – Sets | Daniel C. Walker | A Stone Carver | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Design – Lights | Dana White | A Stone Carver | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Design – Sound | Quintessa Gallinat | Escanaba in da Moonlight | Nominated |
| 2013 | Critic's Choice Award: Best Director | Guy Sanville | Superior Donuts | Won |
| 2013 | Best Performance, Actress – Drama | Michelle Mountain | 33 Variations | Nominated |
| 2013 | Best Choreography | Rhiannon Ragland | The Meaning of Almost Everything | Nominated |
| 2013 | Best Design - Sound or Video | Quintessa Gallinat | The Meaning of Almost Everything | Nominated |
| 2013 | Best New Script | Jeff Daniels | The Meaning of Almost Everything | Nominated |
| 2014 | Wilde-r Award: The Best Worst First | Rusty Mewha & Rhiannon Ragland | Miles & Ellie | Won |
| 2014 | Best Performance, Actor, Comedy | Will David Young | The Last Romance | Nominated |
| 2014 | Best Performance, Actress, Comedy | Priscilla Lindsay | The Last Romance | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Design – Props | Danna Segrest | Annapurna | Won |
| 2015 | Best Design – Sets | Bartley H. Bauer | Annapurna | Won |
| 2015 | Best Drama | Guy Sanville, director | Annapurna | Won |
| 2015 | Best Performance, Actress-Drama | Michelle Mountain | Annapurna | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Performance, Actor-Drama | Richard McWilliams | Annapurna | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Design- Costumes | Christianne Myers | Steel Magnolias | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Design Sound/Video | Tom Whalen & Noelle Stollmack | 2AZ | Won |
| 2016 | Best Play | Guy Sanville, director | 2AZ | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Performance Rising Star | Nina White | 2AZ | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Performance, Lead Actor | David Montee | The Odd Couple | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Performance, Supporting Actress | Rhiannon Ragland | 2AZ | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Set Design | Bartley H. Bauer | The Odd Couple | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Set Design | Gary Ciarkowski | 2AZ | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best New Script | Michael Brian Ogden | 2AZ | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Play | Michelle Mountain, director | Morning's at Seven | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Performance, Lead Actor – Play | Randolph Mantooth | Morning After Grace | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Performance, Supporting Actor – Play | Rusty Mewha | Morning's at Seven | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Performance, Supporting Actress – Play | Susan Craves | Morning's at Seven | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Design, Lights | Reid G. Johnson | Morning's at Seven | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best New Script | Carey Crim | Morning After Grace | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Publisher's Award | Guy Sanville, director; Jeff Daniels, playwright | Flint | Won |
| 2018 | Best Design – Props | Danna Segrest | Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of the Elusive Ear | Won |
| 2018 | Best Design – Sets | Bartley H. Bauer | Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Elusive Ear | Won |
| 2018 | Best Play | Guy Sanville, director | Harvey | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Original Production or One-Act | Guy Sanville, director | Flint | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Performance, Lead Actor – Play | Richard McWilliams | Harvey | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Performance, Lead Actress – Play | Sarab Kamoo | Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Elusive Ear | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Performance, Supporting Actor – Play | David Bendena | Flint | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Performance, Supporting Actor – Play | Rusty Mehwa | Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Elusive Ear | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Performance, Supporting Actress – Play | Michelle Mountain | Harvey | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Teamwork | Michelle Mountain, Paul Stroili, Kate Thomsen, & Rusty Mewha | God of Carnage | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best New Script | David MacGregor | Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of the Elusive Ear | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Lead Actress | Michelle Mountain | All My Sons | Won |
| 2019 | Best Music Direction | Brad Phillips | Willow Run | Won |
| 2019 | Best New Script | Carey Crim | Never Not Once | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best New Script | Jeffery Duncan | Willow Run | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Supporting Actress | K. Edmonds | Willow Run | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Design-Sets | Sarah Pearline | Willow Run | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Musical | Guy Sanville, director | Willow Run | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Play-Drama | Guy Sanville, director | All My Sons | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Original Production | Guy Sanville, director | Willow Run | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Original Production | Guy Sanville, director | Never Not Once | Nominated |

## Apprenticeship program

The Purple Rose formerly offered a year-long apprenticeship program for young artists entering a career in theatre. Apprentices were paid a modest stipend, gaining experience in lighting, sound, stage management, design, set construction, and administrative/box office work. The seven apprentices also maintained and cleaned the theatre's facilities. The program was inspired by Daniels' experience as an apprentice with the Circle Repertory Company in New York City.
The Purple Rose discontinued the apprentice program in 2021, following longstanding claims of toxic and abusive treatment of apprentices by staff, including artistic director Guy Sanville. The claims resulted in an investigation by the Actors' Equity Association, the union representing Purple Rose staff, which dismissed all but one of the complaints. The Purple Rose reached a confidential settlement with a group of former apprentices in late 2020 regarding wage and hour violations, and committed to hire an independent human resources firm. Sanville resigned his Actors' Equity Association membership and his position as artistic director in late 2021.

## Films

In 2001, Purple Rose Films produced Escanaba in da Moonlight, based on the play of the same name written by Jeff Daniels. The film includes nine actors associated with the Purple Rose Theatre, including Jim Porterfield and Wayne David “Daba” Parker, who played Alphonse & Da Jimmer respectively in the play and the film.
In 2002, Purple Rose Films produced an original movie entitled Super Sucker, a story about vacuum cleaner salesmen. The film was shot entirely in Jackson, Michigan. Eleven actors in the film were associated with the Purple Rose Theatre, including Jeff Daniels, Matt Letscher, Guy Sanville, and Michelle Mountain.
In 2013, Blue Frog Productions produced Vino Veritas, based on the play of the same name written by David MacGregor. The film was shot in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 2017, Mirrorcore Productions produced Wake, based on the play of the same name written by Carey Crim. The film was shot in California.
In 2017, Grand River Productions produced Guest Artist, based on the play of the same name written by Jeff Daniels. The film is almost entirely cast with actors from the Purple Rose including Jeff Daniels, Richard McWilliams (Harvey as Elwood P. Dowd & All My Sons as Joe Keller) and Thomas Macias, who started at the Purple Rose as an apprentice in 2013. The film was directed by Timothy Busfield and was shot on location in New York City, New York and Chelsea, Michigan.
In 2019, Doorstop Productions produced a short film called Just Desserts, based on the short play of the same name written by David MacGregor. The film was shot in Orange, New Jersey.

## Television

In October 2015, Purple Rose: 25 Years premiered on Detroit Public Television. This documentary, produced by 2188, features the story of the Purple Rose with stories and interviews from some of the artists associated with the theatre.
In October 2017, the Purple Rose was featured along with Cornelia Sampson and the Guadalupe Arts and Culture Center in an episode of Detroit Performs.