November 2006 Board of Directors Meeting
Board Members Present:
Rance Fawbush (Vice President)
Tim Johnson (Secretary)
Janice Clevenger (Treasurer)
Roy Sillings
Phillip Addison
Ben Aldred
Russell McGee
Also Present:
Sara Johnson (Webmaster)
Jennifer McGee
David Nosko
Minutes from October Meeting
Ben moved to approve, Roy seconded, ayes unanimous.
Treasurer’s report
Oliver Crumb
$+ 592.31 Begging/Donations
$- 1119.78 Expenses for 18 people
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$- 527.47 total for month
Alice
$- 594.57 Expenses for 13 people
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$- 594.57 total for month
$+ 914.51 Current Total for Alice
Hadrian
$+ 805.00 Ticket sales + 1 donation
$- 170.00 Expenses (royalty)
$- 900.00 Rent
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$- 265.00 total for month/Current Total for Hadrian
General Income
$+ 2745.00 BAAC grant (90%)
General Expenses
$- 160.00 storage
$- 50.00 BAAC membership
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$- 210.00 total for month
Final balance $+ 3755.72
Ben moved to approve, Phil seconded, ayes unanimous.
Webmaster’s Report
The Web site had 20046 hits the last month and is doing well. This isn’t quite a record number of hits, but it’s almost there.
Old/Current Business
Hadrian
There weren’t big crowds, but the people who were there were quite appreciative. The cast seemed to enjoy it, the audience seemed to (mostly) enjoy it, and we didn’t lose too much money. As a result of this show, we now have added to our inventory several priest costumes, a Pope costume, a café table and chairs, and a nice door in a frame. There will be slightly more income from Hadrian as we’re waiting on payment from online ticket sales from the Sunrise Box Office.
Dracula
The play is running a little long, about three hours, even after cuts. Those who have seen it agree that it wasn’t tedious, though. The stage was also generally agreed to be well done. We now have more platforms, one with a trapdoor in it. Also guns and a functioning transfusion kit, should anyone need it, and a phonograph that actually works (albeit not that well). Feedback has been good. We also had some publicity from WFIU in connection with Bram Stoker’s birthday, and the NPR story has run at least twice, plus of course the actual scene from the play that was run on WFIU. (For more, see the New Business item about dinner theater.)
Christmas Carol
(See also New Business item about dinner theater.) Rehearsals have just started and are going well.
Social Circles
We realized we hadn’t technically approved Ben’s script (despite its being on our schedules due to a misunderstanding on the part of the Webmaster), so Tim put the motion forward and Russ seconded. Ayes were unanimous.
Directors’ Symposium
Tim is stepping back from the position of Producer, being simply too busy. We should decide on a new producer by the January meeting at the latest. (It was pointed out that the producer does not have to be a board member.) David Nosko proposed doing Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” as a selection. Janice is also looking at a couple of plays, and there are multiple other pieces that have been brought forth. The Symposium is filling up fast.
New/Upcoming Business
BAAC Membership
Janice received a mailing regarding membership in the BAAC and what it could mean. There are some new items such as access to the BAAC mailing list, bulk postage discount, etc., but the big one is a discount on Herald Times ads. The discount is 16% for first insertion, 33% for second, and 50% for any more. Although we have not previously placed ads in the H-T, it was suggested that now that we have the funds to do so it might be profitable.
Scripts
We have cast copies (purchased some time ago) for “The Mousetrap” and “Charlie’s Aunt”, if anyone is looking for a play to do.
Dinner Theater and the Lion
However, not all is well. One of the co-owners of the Lion had been unaware of the scope of this production (which was properly cleared through other channels). When he happened upon the stage one morning, was extremely displeased with the size and scope and felt that the whole series was getting out of hand. He cancelled the remaining three Dracula shows as well as Christmas Carol. We hope to negotiate with him to allow us to continue to perform at the Lion, but there is no guarantee of the outcome at this time. In the meantime, we have not been able to find another space for Dracula, but are pursuing other venues for Christmas Carol and future shows in the Dinner Theater series. Tutto Bene, the Brown County Library, Maldonodo’s, additional shows in Spencer, and a traveling series doing a night here and a night there were all mentioned as possibilities.
Fiddler on the Roof
Susan brought forward (via Rance) to propose doing Fiddler on the Roof in February 2008 at the Waldron. The only problem she currently has is that in the Waldron we could not likely fly the ghost in the cemetery scene. (The structure there will not support carrying any more weight.) This proposal has not been voted on yet.
Over the River and Through the Woods
Linda Ostermeier has proposed (again via Rance) Over the River and Through the Woods, a comedy about two sets of grandparents trying to hook their mutual grandson up romantically so that he won’t move out of town. It’s a six-person cast, and she has people in mind for many of the roles already. Rance would be directing, with Linda assisting. The set would be very simple. The time proposed is next fall, in the Waldron Auditorium. This proposal has not been voted on yet.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
David Nosko proposed Uncle Tom’s Cabin for the late fall at the Waldron, with an absurdist and somewhat comedic take on it. It would have to be handled carefully, of course, but done correctly it could help lighten the play and make the idea of racism seem absurd. Some of his ideas include having African-American actors in whiteface paint and reducing the dialog to a few key phrases, to the point where it seems almost nonsensical but does still convey a story. Running time is projected to be an hour or hour and a half. The script would be an edit of an earlier script, as David doesn’t want to adapt from the novel himself. He wants to bring the African-American community into this to help him work the script so that it won’t offend and will point out race as a social construct and how absurd that is. Ben also suggested working with them to get the word out beforehand about what David wants to do with this play. Rance added that having someone at the Cultural Center do a curtain speech about the play might be good too. Interest in the script was expressed. This proposal has not been voted on yet.
Through the Looking-Glass
Russ mentioned Through the Looking-Glass as a follow-up to Alice in Wonderland. This proposal has not been voted on yet.
Jekyll and Hyde
Russ also brought forward Jekyll and Hyde as a show he would really like to see done at the Lion (regardless of whether he directs or not). This proposal has not been voted on yet.
Checking Account
We are going to set Tim up on the Civic Theater’s bank account so that we have more than one person who can sign checks.
Meeting Adjourned
Phil moves to close the meeting, Tim seconds, ayes unanimous.