He was the first full time Executive Director for OTP.   The first Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies committee member from OTP.  The first to get State grants for OTP.  A City Commission member, former Mayor, and  A City Planning Commissioner for Traverse City.  And now Executive Director of the Dowtown Development Authority. More importantly, he was the only original singing waiter in Cabaret.-----

All of the above designations refer to only one person.  Bryan Crough who rightly belongs in the Old Town Playhouse Hall of Fame.

      
Bryan graduated from Mary Mount Catholic College in Salinas, Kansas.  His original training had been as a registered jeweler. Bryan and companion Duane Marcotte arrived from Kansas on a warm spring day in 1980.  The main impetus for the visit was some vacation time that needed to be used up.  While visiting Bryan's cousin Ann Ozegovic, Duane found there was a job as inhalation therapist in the new East Wing at Munson.  After moving to Traverse City, Bryan unfortunately found there were no jobs available, so ever resourceful, Bryan became a census worker for the 1980 Census.

In September of 1980 he was hired by the struggling Arts Council as an assistant to the Executive Director.  It was largely through Bryan's efforts that the Arts Council and Old Town Playhouse began to share an office in the lower level (what is now the box office) of Old Town Playhouse.  
SOMETHING ABOUT THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION KNOWN AS THE PLAYHOUSE
In addition, the third floor was rented out to the Dance Center for classes.  And so, in April of 1981 the board of Old Town Playhouse lured Bryan away to become the first full time Executive Director.  The Arts Council was generous because the lower level (now Multi-purpose room) then became an art gallery for the use of several arts organizations. 

The two organizations continued to share the office and secretarial help and the entire building, under Bryan's direction, became known as the Arts Center for the entire area.  Also, OTP became landlords for the Dance Center and the house next door.  (There was also a tenant upstairs in this building for a while).   A real good thing the Fire Marshall didn't pay a visit during this era.

And there Bryan stayed for nearly 10 years.  Many things happened to OTP during this time.  The first thing was to acquire the first State grant from MACAA, Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies.  There were things to be done.  The business and financial records of OTP were in some disarray so Bryan set out to pay bills and spread good will among the business community, which had carried OTP while the fledgling Civic Players were getting started. About this time Bryan got the Playhouse involved in CTAM, Community Theater Association of Michigan.  He served on the CTAM board and later hosted the fall conference of CTAM in the same year the Playhouse staged Chicago.  Needless to say the other community theater groups were duly impressed with OTP.

Among the changes during Bryan's tenure were instituting the Studio Theater and transforming the dining room into a black box theater.  Everything was to be black.  So dedicated was Bryan that on opening night, he presented black carnations to the director.  Also, he had the house next door torn down and found a new place for the Dance Center and the Playhouse went out of the rental business.
 
This was the time that the first phase of renovation began on the Playhouse building.  This phase added office space, bathrooms and dressing rooms.  It took some of the excitement out of theater, especially for women, as the toilets no longer rocked when sat upon.  Also, the fireplace was forever in the Main office and not available for opening night receptions.  This all sounds like a simple feat to accomplish, but the differing opinions that Bryan had to deal with probably prepared him for later dealing with the whole city of Traverse City.  The beginning of the modernization has continued through two more phases and there are rumors of more expansions to come.

Bryan was able to acquire several grants from the State and Rotary Charities and several banks in town to help with the renovations.  He also devised ways to acquire monies from theater patrons and interested citizens.

Theatrical maven Crough didn't just sit in his office during those ten years.  He directed two Studio Theater shows.  The first was Bad Habits which he co-directed with Pauline Tyer.  The second was the original script by Ann Marie Oomen, The Belle Of Amherst.  He also directed the ever popular, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown which ran during the Cherry Festival to a very moderate audience.  He later was slated to direct Steel Magnolias on main stage.  A job change came along right about this time.  There was a real question as to whether or not he could continue directing for the playhouse, but finally his new employers gave their blessing and Bryan pulled off his move and a highly successful and unforgettable production of Steel Magnolias.

Before we follow him to his new job we need to mention his acting career.  He appeared in Kismet, South Pacific, School for Scandal, One Thrilling Celebration and had the distinction of outlasting all others to become the only original dancing waiter in Cabaret.

During this time Bryan became instrumental in hiring the first technical director OTP had ever had.  The first one was Bruce Miller followed later by Interlochen's (but ours first) Michael Stosh Kay.  This position took a lot of the play production responsibilities out of the Executive Director's office, a real help for Bryan.

What must be mentioned is that in 1983 Bryan was encouraged to run for the City Commission.  He lost the first bid.  But in 1985 he was more careful of his campaign workers (most of them were OTP volunteers) and was elected to the City Commission.  He became a member of the Planning commission and was to become the youngest Mayor of Traverse City in 1988 --- all while he was still Executive Director of Old Town Playhouse.

The other thing that is very important is to say is that Bryan and Duane at that time owned the house directly across from the Playhouse on Cass Street.  The parties and meetings that took place at that venue are legendary.    Perhaps the least said about these gatherings the better. 

The Playhouse was somewhat paralyzed when it was announced Bryan would be leaving.  The recovery was complete however when several members "roasted" Bryan on his final days at OTP.  A video tape of that roast will be playing downstairs following this presentation.

And so ----- in fall of 1990 Bryan was lured away by the mighty City to become Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority or DDA. 

His accomplishments for the City are well known.  He was instrumental in the Saving the State Hospital initiative.  He served on the City planning commission and later the County Planning commission.  Richard Lewis, City Manager remembers that they started together fifteen years ago just as the Mall was being built.  There were many struggles as it was declared that Downtown Traverse City would shrivel up and die.  Visioning on Bryan's part and making the world move on Richard's part guaranteed the viability of Downtown.  This team effort continues to this day.  A word could be said about the birthday parties shared by Crough and Lewis.  Lewis is a year wiser than Crough but they share the same day.  The parties soon got larger than Downtown so they were phased out.

Bryan staffed the office for the City Opera House and assisted in the stages of renovation of the Opera House.  He formed the original Michigan Downtown Development Authority in the early 90's.  And of course, he continues to provide all the parking we need in the downtown area.

Bryan has had recognition of the highest order.  He was among the first person presented the Symphony's Golden Baton award.  He was duly surprised to be presented the Lyle De Young Award in 2005.  This award is for downtown achievement.  There are very few times anyone has ever surprised Bryan Crough.

His loyalty to Old Town Playhouse has been constant.  He was a patron for many seasons and would be a season ticket holder if "someone would remember to call and remind him".  He has been Emcee for most Black & White Galas and attends all of them.  At the present time he is a member of the Producer's Circle and facilitates the board retreats.

Bryan has been a loyal friend to many.  We have all followed him everywhere and remain his faithful volunteers.  Bryan has been with his life partner, Duane for 33 years.  

It is with a great deal of pleasure that we induct Bryan Crough into the Old Town Playhouse Hall of Fame.