Press Release

To Be or No To Be a Tibbits' Houser

Date: 4/15/2008

COLDWATER, MI—

Houser? What exactly is a “houser”? That’s a word visitors to the Tibbits administrative offices hear frequently as the professional summer season gets underway at the opera house each year.

A houser is a host family for one of the actors or crew members Tibbits hires for the current summer season. Anyone can take on this role just by contacting Tibbits.

What exactly does a “houser” do for the actor or crew member? That answer is easy: NOTHING! Housers do NOT cook or clean. Housers do NOT provide transportation. Housers do NOT entertain them. All housers do is provide a spare bedroom for the actor or crew member to sleep in for the length of time of his or her stay. This year actors and crew begin arriving on June 8 and some stay until August 16.

In addition, actors and crew members must abide by the host family rules. Problems have been minimal in the past; but if one does arise, it is quickly resolved.

While Tibbits would like to assume host families continue to offer their homes year after year simply for the love of the theatre, we also know they enjoy some unique benefits.

• Host families learn first hand about the life of an actor. What a unique opportunity that is!
• Host families become friends with the actors/crew members which enhances their experience when attending performances.
• Host families get free tickets for the entire family to each production their actor/crew member is involved in.
• Host families are recognized in a summer theatre program and in the special newspaper insert.
• Most importantly, host families are enriching their lives by supporting the arts in our community.

To become a host family is easy. Call Carolyn Stewart at 278-6029 between 9:00 and 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday to discuss becoming a member of our houser family.