MINUTES OF THE MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS –
February 19th, 2008.
The
meeting was called to order by Claudia at 6:02 pm. Present were Paul
Buckley, Sylvia Rickett, Loretta Geotis, Alicia Merel, Sandra Holland, Nancee
Rainaud, Lauren Spinelli, Pat Robenolt, Rita Irwin, Kim Capps, Suzanne Terpos,
Gail Burnett, Arnie Steinmetz, Claudia McEwen, and Tom O’Neil. Fred Hundhammer
arrived shortly.
Approval
of the Agenda: Motion
to approve, seconded and passed.
Minutes: Motion to approve,
seconded and passed.
Staff
Report:
1
BOX OFFICE REPORT
a) Body count for
January is 2226.
Tickets
are selling for Me and My Girl. 715 sold to date. Updated
to 733 and there are only 26 seats left for opening night!
2
CINEMA
a) Letter from Disney regarding digital equipment
for review. Copies were passed out to cinema committee.
Other stuff
a)
New volunteers have come on board as a result of the January volunteer
training. I am planning to hold an additional training on March 3rd
at 3 p.m. This should be especially helpful with the upcoming
musical toward the end of the run.
b) I
would like to suggest that each crew department set up a training (similar to
Rita’s director’s workshops) prior to next season. I have talked with a few
people about this and all seem favorable. Since we have a lot of new people
who are willing, but not experienced, perhaps a brief training scheduled for
sometime close to auditions would be favorable. If there are winter people
willing, we could do an additional training to coincide with winter residents.
I would like to incorporate a general informational portion about the overall
working of MCT to these trainings in order help people understand how
operations work regarding budgets, expenses, marketing, public relations, etc.
and how all need to work together to produce the very best entertainment and
image to our community.
c) Please
help me distribute flyers and brochures in your businesses and offices where
possible.
d) FKWS
has the show hung for the run of Me and My Girl. They will provide “art
sitters” during the run of the show.
e)
Publicity appearances in the works include:
A
representation from Me and My Girl possibly with the Shriners Club,
Rotary, Morning Mix, Cal Sutphin’s show from Tranquility Bay and the Chamber
lunch.
f) Remember I’m available to talk to your organizations about
the theatre any time.
g) I have spoken with First State Bank and they will be working
with me to form some type of sponsorship throughout the season. Will keep you
posted. They
may even sponsor opening night parties, OWO, etc.
h) I am
extending personal invitations to the press for press night and working with
them through personal contact to come to press night. Press night
attendance has been scarce. Loretta is going to try starting press night shows
at 7pm and providing personal invitations in hand to help increase attendance.
i) I
have submitted a reimbursement request from our TDC money for $4,552.75.
j) The GLEE event was a success. There were
approximately 100+ attendees throughout the day and evening. Representatives
from throughout Florida and Washington DC were in attendance. Both rooms were
rented for the day for a total of $550 and concessions brought in approximately
$200. Many said they had never seen the MCT’s facility before – and this was
one of the purposes of having them here. They might come back, since they
thought it was a great location.
k) *Directors/Producers - Don’t forget to email me any
changes/additions/deletions to your rehearsal schedules, cast information,
meetings, use of rooms etc. Please check with myself or Gail to make sure we
are not scheduling on top of each other. And, please be considerate of those
who are rehearsing regarding noise, running in and out, interruptions, etc. The Board discussed
this issue, and it is really inconsiderate when the policy is not followed. Loretta
and Gail are the ones who decide what room is rented when, and they MUST be
involved formally for each activity that occurs at the facility. Things can
get out of hand quickly when this policy is not followed, and clearing them up
consumes a lot of time (and tact), which could be saved by a short email or
phone call. Loretta mentions that rules are here to be followed, not only in
this area, but also in other areas
l) Please
double check to make sure lights are out, doors are locked, A/C is off.
There is a key in a magnetic box inside the glass
case by the front door. This allows people who are coming in to work during
the day (especially) to keep the front door locked and still leave the key in
the outside lock box for others.
m) I have had a request from the Seafood Festival Committee to
put a banner on our balcony from now until the event. This is a community
thing, with different organizations helping each other out. Tom makes a motion
we do it. While we would like to have a booth at the Festival, and could try to
exchange the banner placement for a rent-free booth, it is poor timing, since
that is the weekend of the matinee and it would be very difficult to man the
booth. There was lengthy discussion. Tom’s vote was seconded. Banners have been
placed there before and Paul (who will likely be putting it up and down) is OK
with it. There is more discussion. Claudia mentions that this is one of those
situations that we evaluate on a one on one basis depending on the
organization, its goal and the goodwill involved. Lauren asks to amend the
motion that if they would give us a booth that we would allow the banner. Arnie
seconded the amendment. The vote was taken and the amendment failed to pass.
The vote was taken on the first motion (to hang the banner), and it passed.
As always, if any
board member has any questions or concerns – please feel free to contact me
directly in the business office at 743-0408 or via email at gm@marathontheater.org. Loretta
Geotis, MCT General Manager.
Other:
Arnie
mentions that the cinema was sold out since Tuesday! And that the new slide
show for the advertising is superb!
Committee Reports:
Finance:
Alicia reported that we have money in the bank! Cash balance Playhouse $15557,
Cinema $9926, Capital Improvements $14234, Operations Reserves $24535, plus the
TIB CD $21051, for a total of $85303. MCT is within the State of Florida
minimum wage stipulation. Alicia handed out financial reports, and made some
comments about specifics: under special events, the accompanist still needs to
be paid; and under cinema cash over/under there is a larger than usual
discrepancy, which Bob will be addressing this with the cinema staff. Alicia
also handed out a budget schedule discussed at the financial meeting. Some of
the items on it will need to be discussed by the board: payroll and raises;
advertising budget; Playreading committee budget; ticket prices and capital
improvement (sewer, moldy wall). Put suggestions/ideas onto email and make sure
Alicia receives it. If there is something on your wish list, make it known so
that it can be discussed.
VP Production:
Playreading: The committee meeting met: Company and Steel
Magnolias appear to be well accepted as strong candidates, while the other
plays have been short listed. A final call is planned for after the last show.
Rita enquires about OWO, which is a big moneymaker. Initial planning for OWO
normally occurs at the same time as the Playreading committee prepares the
choices.
Stage
Committee: Tom
has an offer from the sound people from the Waterfront Theatre in Key West.
They use stage mikes for singing rather than head mikes, and they offered to
come to MCT and show Tom how they do it. Rita mentions that stage mikes would
not resolve individual problems of amplification. There was some discussion,
with opinions going in two main areas: one in which some people would feel
better singing with amplification, the other in which our theatre has always
been able to make good productions without amplification. Loretta mentioned
that no one has ever mentioned to her that they did not hear. Claudia mentioned
that we have a lot of upcoming expenses, and new mike systems might not be the
priority. The consensus was that we should thank the Waterfront Theatre, ask
for a rain check on their offer and explain that we are not able to deal with
it right now.
Building: Paul reported that the emergency lights have
been tested and one fixture is purchased and about to be replaced.
Entertainment: Pat reported looking forward to the next opening night
for MMG. Accept frozen things that will thaw and finger foods, but nothing
cooked!
Membership:
Quarterly General Membership meeting dates
March 5, 2008
June 4
September 3
December 3
Cinema: The Cinema Committee has continued to discuss cinema issues and
will update when ready.
By-Laws: The voting of the amendments to the by-laws will occur at the
next Membership meeting. These were sent out by email, and if you have any
comments, please send them in before the vote on March 5th.
Nominating Committee: The following 2 year terms up for renewal: CJ, Natalia, Rita, Claudia, Tom, Sylvia
and Suzanne.
Historical:
Other:
Old Business:
New Business:
Good of the Order: Move to adjourn.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 pm.
Submitted
by Sylvia Rickett, Secretary
