Shakespeare might soon have to hang his collared tunic at another address.
The BoarsHead Professional Theatre, 425 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing, is looking at relocating, even outside of Lansing, as funds drop and they seek more space for operations.
BoarsHead Artistic Director Geoffrey Sherman said the theater has received offers to relocate to cities in the central Michigan area, including Eaton Rapids and East Lansing, but is unsure what its board of directors will decide.
"We desire to try to expand our operation to attract more people to what we do," Sherman said.
The Lansing City Council passed a resolution which, if accepted by the theater's board, commits the city to raise $50,000 each year for three years to help the theater's development. The resolution is part of an initiative to keep the theater in town and to develop the city's arts and entertainment venues.
The city already provides $41,000 per year for the BoarsHead's rental costs.
David Wiener, executive assistant to Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides, said the city thought the additional funding could help BoarsHead become financially stable and keep them in Lansing.
"This resolution means we may well be able to stay in the city," Sherman said.
City Council President Joan Bauer said the city is "very committed" to working with the theater and looking at sites in Lansing for a possible relocation.
She also said the resolution is part of a planning process to draw young people to Lansing, which ties into the "Cool Cities" initiative. Cool Cities is a project launched by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2003 as part of an effort to attract young professionals into Michigan cities committed to improve "cool" components, such as population diversity and housing options.
Jim Ruff, director of the Department of Planning and Neighborhood Development for the city of Lansing said if the theater left, the city would support seeking out another to replace it.
"That's mainly what the three years is about, for them to flush out where they want to go or do," Ruff said.
Sherman said he hopes, if the theater's board decides to stay in Lansing and accept the city's proposal, the time will be a bridge period to a larger development of the city's arts and entertainment opportunities.
"This move by the city is one step in a process I hope will lead to a vibrant arts community in downtown Lansing, of which the BoarsHead will be one component," Sherman said.
