MINUTES OF THE MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS – February 20 2007

 

Meeting was called to order by President Fred Hundhammer at 6:04pm.  Present were Claudia McEwen, Rita Irwin, Paul Buckley, C. J. Geotis, Sylvia Rickett, Loretta Geotis, Gail Burnett, Suzanne Terpos. Arnie Steinmetz, Terry McBroom and Tom O’Neil arrived shortly. Absent were Christine Leird, Ginger Michael, Dona Beckman and Natalia Gimer.

Approval of the Agenda:  Motion to approve, seconded and passed without changes.

 

Minutes:  Motion to approve, seconded and passed.

 

Staff Reports

 

1        BOX OFFICE REPORT

a)         Goodbye Charlie finished with a total of approx. 1600 in attendance.

b)         Body count for January was 2104.

c)         One Night Only earned approx. $6,000 including donations of $630 and hosted approximately 103 attendees.  We do have some outstanding advertising to pay for since “fundraising” is not covered under the TDC grant. Thank you notes are to be sent out to who donated over and above the price of the tickets, which is a standard procedure.

 

2        CINEMA

    

   Other stuff

a)         Program inserts are at the printer for Gigi.  Volunteers are welcomed to help collate next week.

b)         Please email me with any dates that you can volunteer for Gigi, concessions, ushers, etc. Thurs/Fri/Sat and Sun, March 18.  March 1 through March 31.  NOTE:  If you have friends in mind that might be interested in volunteering for the first time, they must meet with me prior to show night. If I have enough interest, I will schedule another volunteer school.  If not, please note that a new volunteer must call me to set up a time to meet with them prior to working. 

c)         I have talked with Tom Doerfel of the Doerfel Family a couple of times recently and he would like to perform at the theatre sometime in the near future.  I do not have details from Tom yet as to how much he would expect to make, how much we could charge for tickets, etc.  They are a unique family, two parents and 10 children who all play and sing bluegrass music.  All reports from those who have attended performances are excellent.  It seems they perform for tips. They may be around in April, month during which we have nothing on in the Theatre. It might be successful to have it done in the gallery, at a cover charge of about $5 and then charge for concessions. Paul offered to help with lights and Claudia with concessions. It could be a way of getting people who don’t normally do so to come to our building. Loretta will find out more details and this will be discussed further next meeting.

d)         Received request from FOP, Tony Russo, for advertising in their yearbook to be distributed at an “Afternoon of Country Music” on May 20 in Key West.

e)         Computer replacements still outstanding.  CJ is in touch with the school contact.

f)          You are all invited to the FKWS opening reception here in the gallery on March 4th at 7:30pm. They typically set up themselves and clear up afterwards. We are all invited.

g)         Please share with your casts and crews that comp tix need to be reserved in advance just as a regular ticket is, meaning not on the night of the show on the way in the door.  Please remind all those involved in performances to proceed in the regular manner and book ahead of time.

h)         Thanks to everyone for the beautiful flowers sent to me in the hospital.  I appreciate all your good wishes. And we are all glad to have you back!

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance: Meeting did not occur. Budget will be worked on soon so please get any requests in to the committee. It was established that there will be a chorus, so there will be a budget for that. Body count for January was 2104, 1600 of which for Charlie.  Cinema was up by 198. Cash balance as of Feb 13th playhouse: $ 11086, cinema $2413. Capital improvement $14958, Operating reserves $ 29559 for a total of $58018 and the CD, which will mature in June.

 

VP Production:  Report comprised of news based on the Playreading committee and on the upcoming season’s schedule (below).

 

Playreading: Rita passed out a tentative schedule copied below. Discussion followed, also below.

 

Marathon Community Theatre

2007 – 2008 Schedule

 

SUMMER READING

Clouds Over Sunshine Inn                                                                    July 26,27,28

Musical by Ben Harrison                                                                      Aug 2,3,4

Director: Thomas Cullen

Producer: Jackie O’Neal

 

OPEN AUDITIONS                                                                              Sept 15,16

 

Production #1                                                                                     Nov 15,16,17

California Suite (12 performances)                                                        Nov 23,24,25 (mat)

Director: Jorg Gobel (not confirmed)                                                      Nov 29,30 Dec 1

Producer:                                                                                           Dec 6,7,8

 

(4 ½ weeks between productions)

 

Production #2                                                                                     Jan 10,11,12

The Smell of the Kill                                                                            Jan 17,18,19

Director: Rita Irwin                                                                               Jan 24,25,26 27 (mat)

Producer:                                                                                           Jan 31 Feb 1,2

 

(4 ½ weeks between productions)

 

Production #3                                                                                     Mar 6,7,8

Me and My Girl                                                                                   Mar 13,14,15,16 (mat)

Director: Fred Hundhammer                                                                 Mar 20,21,22

Producer:                                                                                           Mar 27,28,29

                                                                                                         Apr 3,4,5

Easter is March 3rd

 

(4 ½ weeks between productions)

 

Production #4                                                                                     May 8,9,10

Cactus Flower                                                                                    May 15,16,17

Director: Alecia Merel

Producer:

 

When Fundraiser?

MCT salutes the Gershwin Brothers and Irving Berlin

Director: Laura Hutt

 

Do we want to try a matinee for the 4th show?

Should we run more performances of the 4th show?

 

Scheduling involves many challenges and has to work around holidays, avoiding Christmas and New Year, but with performances over Easter. The usual pattern was maintained. Jorg still needs to be approached to see if he will agree to direct California Suite. The Smell of the Kill was chosen over Steel Magnolias. Dates for the fundraiser are still open. Fred suggests maintaining the successful schedule of the previous years in October 19th and 20th. All agree. If we want to do something else in February, it can be discussed at a later date. This summer the production will be reprise of Clouds Over Sunshine Inn. 2008 Summer Readings were brought forward by Ginger and Jackie, we can put them on for two weeks each, “Vanities” and “Hot Lovers”, dates will be set next meeting. Motion made to approve the schedule. Approved with the condition Jorg accepts directing. The motion was amended to add a third weekend to the end of the last show. Directors also need to be approved. Motion made, seconded and approved. Despite a hard start, Jorg is pulling Gigi together nicely. We need to find producers for the 2008 season! We all thank the Playreading committee for their hard and fruitful work.

 

 

Stage Committee: Needed light bulbs were ordered and arrived.

 

Building: Paul reported that the emergency lights have been checked and are in working order. During the Sunday storm the AC unit was knocked onto Denny’s office and while it still runs, it needs to be reattached. It is possible the bill may be sent to the roofers, since materials left behind by them caused the damage.

 

Entertainment: Opening night party will happen for Gigi, and Fred is going to approach sources to obtain donation of a case of champagne.

 

Membership: The cast list Gigi needs to be checked and any new members need to enroll.

 

Other:

 

Old Business:

 

New Business: Loretta had a letter from Coca Cola. They are implementing price increases in February. Loretta wonders whether we should raise our prices. Fred mentions $1.50 for soft drinks, and Loretta will decide on final prices for concessions.

 

Claudia reported hearing comments that we have not raised our cinema prices in a while, some people suggesting that an increase would be perfectly acceptable. Since such a large proportion of ticket price goes back to the movie makers, we tend to prefer to raise the price of concessions gradually over time, since that revenue comes right back to us.

 

Good of the Order: Good luck to all in Gigi.

 

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

 

Submitted by Sylvia Rickett, Secretary