MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE

Board of Directors

27 January 2004

The meeting was called to order in the Gallery of the playhouse at 6 pm by the President Marilyn Tempest.

Present: Marilyn Tempest, George Woodward, Claudia McEwen, Gail Burnett, Carolyn Black, Paul Buckley, Ruth Cadman, J.D. Cullen, Bert Estlow, Ron Ferguson, Heidi Ferrell, Ann Hart, Laura Hutt, Shannon Kraycs, Terry McBroom, Sandy Saylor, Paul Steinman, Suzanne Craig - GBM, Rita Irwin, past president.

Excused Absence: Jane Madden

Un-excused Absence:              None 

The Agenda was approved as distributed.

The minutes of the November 25, 2003 meeting were approved as distributed.

PLAY READING: Ann Hart reported that the committee s recommending Kiss Me Kate as the musical for next season with Heidi Ferrell as director. Claudia moved, Ruth Cadman seconded the recommendation be accepted. Passed unopposed. The committee will present the rest of their recommendations for the 04/05 season at the February meting.

FINANCE: Gail Burnett reported that Continental Divide did better than budget. Program ads are up - thanks to Riet. We need to do TDC reimbursement request. Cinema revenue is up thank to Lord of the Rings. Cleaning costs are down because the carpets haven’t been cleaned yet. The mortgage is now at the correct interest rate.

VP PRODUCTION: Bert reported on Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Good word of mouth advertising and we got a thank you note which will be passed on to the cast.

BUILDING: Paul Buckley had done the monthly check of the emergency lighting and exits signs and is replacing a bad unit. Have new beer cooler. Sewage treatment plant is no longer up to code - Dept of Environmental Protection apparently talked to Denny - More to come.

MEMBERSHIP: No Report

STAGE: No Report

GBM: Suzanne reported that we again have new box office help - Scarlett Duffy and she is doing great. Continental Divide sold 1079 tickets. Virginia Woolf has sold 779 to date. May have to cancel Thursday show due to cast emergency. Taking it day by day.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: Watercolor Society has asked for a policy of charging other groups $50 for use of the hardware and lights which the society donated to the theater to be split 50/50 with MCT. Lengthy discussion of the donation and our policy of not charging art groups who display during a show. Laura moved and Bert seconded that we do not accept their recommended policy change. Passed unopposed. We will not charge other art groups for use of the hardware, etc. Discussion of how to recognize the society for their donation, i.e a plaque or such. – Ginger Michael brought up questions regarding the Play Reading committee and reading other plays. Reviewed when suggestions need to be in to committee. – questions about a spring variety show - not without a chorus director - Kathryn Rummery has resigned. – Will there be another director’s workshop? Not planned - do plan an doing “blocking” less intense than full workshop.

GOOD OF THE ORDER: Next meeting is Wednesday, February 24, 2004 at 6 pm at the playhouse.

Bonnie Greenberg’s father died. We are sending flowers to Bonnie at home.

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm

Claudia McEwen, Sec.