MINUTES OF THE MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS – September 19, 2006

 

Meeting was called to order by President Fred Hundhammer at 600pm.  Present were VP Claudia McEwen, Treasurer Gail Burnett, Rita Irwin, Suzanne Terpos, Ginger Michael, Terry McBroom, Arnie Steinmetz, Christine Leird, Paul Buckley, C. J. Geotis, Natalia Gimer, and Tom O’Niel, and GM Loretta Geotis.   Absent was Dona Beckman and Sylvia Rickett.

 

Welcome to our newest board member, C.J. Geotis.

 

Approval of the Agenda:  Approved without changes.

 

Minutes:  Motion to approve, seconded and passed.

 

Staff Reports: 

The General Managers report was made to the Directors as follows:

1         BOX OFFICE REPORT

a)     Season tickets and OWO tickets are selling.

b)     A total of 255 people used the theatre during the month of July, 2006.

2         CINEMA

    a)  Bob needs to replace the cash register.  Finance committee approved one he has chosen for        $170.

3         Other stuff

a)     DON’T FORGET TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS.  WE NEED ITEMS FOR THE YARD SALE.  SEE PAUL OR LORETTA TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE OR AT LEAST THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING.   I plan to have Ginny work the box office during the yard sale so we will be available for tickets, as well; and I plan to set up the extra (smaller) pop-corn machine and sell popcorn and soft drinks or maybe donuts early.  If anyone would like to donate some snacks, please do.

b)     Roof is being handled.

c)      Ray DiMarco has taken a list of businesses to call regarding playbill advertising. 

d)     Marathon Rotary Club will be here on September 23 and 24th for their community project.  We are expecting 20+ workers. 

e)     The brochure is printed and in the process of being sealed, labeled, stamped and mailed.  If anyone wants to help, let me know. 

f)        Rita is scheduled to record a radio spot for OWO to begin running on US 1 Radio asap.

g)     Denny wants to re-surface the parking lot.  He is asking us to share in the cost and labor and will get us a price.

h)      History Channel documentary is scheduled for October 1. 

 

Rotary Project:  Saturday and Sunday, September 23 and 24…  Rotary will be here at 8:00 a.m. to begin the project.  Our list includes:  Painting the outside of the building including the walkway and steps, painting rehearsal room floor, painting gallery, replacing ceiling tiles taken by Wilma, landscaping and clean-up outside near the dock, and other miscellaneous jobs.  Loretta has notified the media to come and take pictures and run the press release.

 

Yard Sale:  Saturday, September 30.  On Friday, September 29, we will need help in setting up tables, arranging items, putting pricing on the tables, etc.  On Saturday morning, we will need help again to monitor and assist at each table.  We will need help possibly to carry items out, to put things in bags, and collect money.  Arnie has agreed to be our head cashier.  Jackie will be playing “funky yard sale” music for us for the first hour +/-.  We will sell soft drinks, donuts and popcorn so we will need concessions help as well.  A note will be sent out to the membership that if anyone has a large item valued at $600 or more that they would like to sell/donate, we will split it 50/50.  They would have to be present to sell the item.  Arnie made the motion to accept this idea, second by Rita.

 

Committte Reports:

 

Finance:  Treasurer Burnett reported the bank balances and provided a three-year comparison profit and loss statement.  A proposal to the board to pay $500 over and above the regular monthly mortgage payment was voted on and passed.  Motion made by Arnie Steinmetz and seconded by Christine Leird.  This decision will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

 

VP Production:  Rita reported that all the shows for the new season are nearly 100% cast.  Gigi needs a few more good men.  Approximately 90% of the auditioners were new people and 10% were oldies.   Rita spoke about the number of cast members required for shows and that the board should consider this very seriously when reading and selecting plays for next year.  Due to the transient nature of the Keys and the few who drop out during the season, we need to address this issue before making future choices.  Directors are instructed to call each auditioner whether they have been cast or not.  This had not quite been completed as of this meeting.

Building: Paul reported that the monthly emergency lights check has been done and all is in order.  The roof project has been passed to CJ.  CJ and one of our City Councilmen, Jeff Pinkus, met with Jay Mott from Premier Roofing to discuss the situation.  It is understood between them what needs to be done and should be completed in the very near future.

Membership: Terry and Suzanne reported the membership renewals are coming in and we collected from each person at auditions this past weekend.

One Weekend Only: (additional discussion) Rita reports the talent side of the production is well underway with rehearsals and characters having chosen his or her own persona.  The Tappers will perform as well as other theatre members.  The next couple of rehearsals will be held at Key Colony Beach City Hall in order to get a feel for the size and comfort of the space.  Rehearsals will now be on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m.  Program:  Please don’t forget to write a short bio about yourself and email or drop off a picture for the program to Loretta.  Decorations:  Ginger is chairperson.  Terry graciously offered to provide flowers for the centerpieces of each table as well as balloons, ribbons, weights, etc.  We will need people to help blow up the balloons on-site during the days of the event.  Set-up Crew:  Ginger, Rita, Paul, Loretta, and recruited volunteers.  50/50 Raffle:  Suzanne Terpos will manage the raffle and recruit at least three or four volunteers for each night.  Loretta will get tickets and Suzanne and Loretta will get appropriate containers, change,  etc.  Food:  Terry McBroom and Christine Leird are co-chairpersons for the food committee.  Helen and Jim Gogan, professional caterers and restaurant owners, have volunteered to assist in soliciting donations, set-up, maintaining the food stations etc.  We will get silverware and dishes, salt & pepper shakers, etc.  from General Rental in exchange for advertising in the playbill.  Suzanne Craig, Suzanne Terpos and Wanda Whitehouse have volunteered to help in this department.  Lighting:  Paul will handle.  He will need help and a vehicle to transport the light trees to the location and help set-up.  Registration:  Loretta will organize and manage registration.  Claudia has volunteered to assist at the registration table for both evenings.  Publicity:  Loretta will contact the media to set up interviews, talk shows, etc. in addition to our regular advertising and press releases.  The commercial is already airing on Keys Radio and will be on US1 radio as well.  Loretta will prepare flyers and advise you when they are ready to be picked up.  PLEASE take several and post them at your place of work, at businesses around town, give to friends to do the same.  We want a full house both evenings.

Timing:  Doors will officially open at 7:00 p.m.  Seating will be reserved by table number as written on the tickets.  Dinner will be served according to table numbers called.  Show will begin at 8:00 p.m. 

 

This is our big money-maker for the year.  We have the potential to make $20,000+.  We must have 100% cooperation from our committee/board, staff and members and volunteers to make this a huge success.

 

Old Business:  Terry contacted Jerry Bessemer regarding our insurance review and he said he would be happy to review the policies for us.

 

Loretta still need help to sell advertising for the playbill.  Riett has volunteered to take a list of names.

 

New Business:  Natalia has asked about using theatre space to start a drama club for the high school.  Rita will talk with her one-on-one regarding scheduling around rehearsals etc.

 

Good of the Order:  Fred thanked Rita for the successful audition weekend.

 

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:01 pm.

 

Submitted by Loretta Geotis for Sylvia Rickett