About Us

Loonlight Theatre LLC

Loonlight Theatre is a new, independent theatre company dedicated to bringing high-quality performances to unexpected places around southeast Michigan. Founded in the summer of 2025 by University of Michigan alumna, Darla Hand (who has also directed and produced the shows) shares a love for both the stage and a little element of surprise.

Loonlight aims to transform cafés, patios, restaurants, libraries, bars, and anywhere else with enough room for a few chairs and a lot of imagination into one-of-a-kind performance venues.

The plan is simple: create theatre that is fun, accessible, and rooted in our community. We welcome performers of all ages and experiences, partnering with local businesses and organizations to bring fresh energy to Michigan’s arts scene. Whether it’s a witty comedy under string lights or a heartfelt drama in a tucked-away corner, we believe theatre can happen anywhere under the “loonlight”.

We’re here to prove that the best seat in the house might not be in a theatre at all.

Our Founder

Darla Hand

Hi, I’m Darla, a director, musician, producer, and theatre artist based in southeast Michigan and the founder of Loonlight Theatre. I’ve recently completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan in music, and as a percussionist and theatre maker, I love to combine my two disciplines into these performances. I’ve developed a passion for creating bold, collaborative theatre experiences that feel both intimate and accessible.

My work is especially drawn to character-driven stories, sharp dialogue, and productions that balance humor with emotional honesty. I love reimagining how and where theatre can happen, partnering with locals and transforming restaurants, patios, cafés, and other everyday spaces into immersive performance environments that bring audiences closer to the action. I try not to stay predictable!

Through Loonlight Theatre, I aim to create opportunities for both emerging and experienced artists while building stronger connections between the university and local arts communities. I strive to help people gain the confidence to prove that they belong and can do great things in theatre. Whether producing a classic comedy under string lights or staging a contemporary work in an unexpected venue, I believe theatre is at its best when it feels immediate, personal, and shared.