The board finished up the retreat Sunday afternoon after planning several fundraising events for the upcoming year and discussing ways to increase volunteers and performers. One of the key areas the theatre needs to do a better job in is the recruitment and training of technical volunteers. Those technical positions for a play are often a little scary for newcomers who worry about having to have lots of knowledge in order to run lights and sound. The opposite is true. Our lighting system has been computerized for almost 20 years now. Our digital sound system is also very easy to run. If you can click a mouse button on a computer or push a button you can run light or sound. We use middle school and high school students as well as adults to fill tech crew positions. Many families make it a point to work tech together. Jim Roush and son Ted often run lights and follow spot for a play. Kim, Todd, and Daniel Yocum recently all worked on the Wizard of Oz crew. For people wanting to get involved this is the perfect way to meet lots of new people and do something fun and creative. Crew members make a commitment to be there from Tech Sunday (4 days before the show opens) through the dress rehearsals (Mon.-Wed. before the show opens) and then work all of the performances. For main stage shows that can run 2-3 weekends. For youth shows it can be as little as 1 weekend.
If you are interested in learning more about being on the tech crew for a show contact me or the box office.
Marsha Cash is busy working on filling season ticket orders. We are trying to find some creative ways to transition to our new seats next fall.
Classes for Character Matters Drama camp started this morning with April auditioning the kids, Janice measuring them for costumes and everyone playing theatre games. April does a daily newsletter of what happened during the day and what is on the schedule for the next day.
Jim is doing maintenance on the lighting and the masking drapes.
I'm working on sponsorship packets and grants. We have a terrific group of new board members set to make our 46th season a smashing success! If you are bored and looking for something to do this summer come down and lend a hand. We have lots of general maintenance projects that we are working on.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Planning and Assessing
Friday evening the board of directors held the first of two sessions this weekend in a planning retreat. A range of issues were discussed including evaluating the mission of the theatre and its continued relevance to the community. How to assess the success in concrete and measurable terms. We spent some time taking a broad look at our current financial position and operations in comparison to other theatres with similar size budgets.
Most of the evening was spent talking about ways to improve our annual fund drive, sponsorships and program advertising campaigns. Lots of great ideas were generated. You will see some of these ideas realized in the next few months. One of those ideas is an annual report of the state of the theatre that will be sent to all current members.
Our fiscal year just ended on June 30. We are currently in the processes of submitting the final report to the Kentucky Arts Council which is a requirement for the grant that we received last season. We just received notification of our new grant award for 2009/2010 and it increased above last year. The Kentucky Arts Council has awarded MHT over $20,000 in grant funding for general operational support. Along with the City of Paducah's recent support statement for the current fiscal year we are proving to the city and the state how valuable MHT is not only as a source of quality of life programming in the community but also that we are an economic asset that provides $3.2 million worth of economic activity in our community and provides over 50 jobs as a result our programming. In tough economic times it still is a good investment and return when our local and state government supports MHT.
Another investment is the Kentucky Governors School for the Arts students who finish up their classes today with a final performance featuring some of their work they created over the past couple of weeks. We are thrilled to see so many students who have participated at MHT involved in the Governors School programs. Cindy and the Miller family are watching their daughter Katy do her presentation today in Musical Theatre. Then they are off to Louisville Music Theatre to see Robert Sharkey performing in Singing in the Rain tonight and tomorrow.
Most of the evening was spent talking about ways to improve our annual fund drive, sponsorships and program advertising campaigns. Lots of great ideas were generated. You will see some of these ideas realized in the next few months. One of those ideas is an annual report of the state of the theatre that will be sent to all current members.
Our fiscal year just ended on June 30. We are currently in the processes of submitting the final report to the Kentucky Arts Council which is a requirement for the grant that we received last season. We just received notification of our new grant award for 2009/2010 and it increased above last year. The Kentucky Arts Council has awarded MHT over $20,000 in grant funding for general operational support. Along with the City of Paducah's recent support statement for the current fiscal year we are proving to the city and the state how valuable MHT is not only as a source of quality of life programming in the community but also that we are an economic asset that provides $3.2 million worth of economic activity in our community and provides over 50 jobs as a result our programming. In tough economic times it still is a good investment and return when our local and state government supports MHT.
Another investment is the Kentucky Governors School for the Arts students who finish up their classes today with a final performance featuring some of their work they created over the past couple of weeks. We are thrilled to see so many students who have participated at MHT involved in the Governors School programs. Cindy and the Miller family are watching their daughter Katy do her presentation today in Musical Theatre. Then they are off to Louisville Music Theatre to see Robert Sharkey performing in Singing in the Rain tonight and tomorrow.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Questions
As I prepare to go on vacation I'm also preparing for the upcoming MHT Board retreat. I met with incoming President Cindy Miller today and talked over many of the ideas that we have for the agenda. There are so many things to address and to think about that sometimes its hard to know where to start. I'm sure that I'll spend a few evenings while on vacation thinking about the retreat as well.
One of the questions that I discovered while looking at planning guides was to look at our successes and try to understand why it was a success. With the overwhelming response to Wizard of Oz recently I asked that question. What was it about our production that made the show so successful that 2 weeks after the show people are still buzzing about it. What makes a successful show at MHT? Is is the script? Is it the talent of the performers? Is it the choreography? Is it all of the costumes, sets, lighting, sound, special effects? Is it all of the above? How do you try to build those successful things into the fabric of everything that MHT does?
We have some big challenges facing us this year and in the next couple of years leading up to our 50th Anniversary season. How we measure success will give us ideas of where we want to be in 5 years. What is that we do that is unique in our community? What is it that we do better than anyone else? Who are our constituents? These are tough questions that are asked each year as we begin a new season. We must decide which areas of the theatre to invest in and which areas we need to move in new directions. What is the vision and values of the Market House Theatre?
With the answer to those important questions everything else falls into place.
One of the questions that I discovered while looking at planning guides was to look at our successes and try to understand why it was a success. With the overwhelming response to Wizard of Oz recently I asked that question. What was it about our production that made the show so successful that 2 weeks after the show people are still buzzing about it. What makes a successful show at MHT? Is is the script? Is it the talent of the performers? Is it the choreography? Is it all of the costumes, sets, lighting, sound, special effects? Is it all of the above? How do you try to build those successful things into the fabric of everything that MHT does?
We have some big challenges facing us this year and in the next couple of years leading up to our 50th Anniversary season. How we measure success will give us ideas of where we want to be in 5 years. What is that we do that is unique in our community? What is it that we do better than anyone else? Who are our constituents? These are tough questions that are asked each year as we begin a new season. We must decide which areas of the theatre to invest in and which areas we need to move in new directions. What is the vision and values of the Market House Theatre?
With the answer to those important questions everything else falls into place.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Year end wrap up
We are in the last days of the current fiscal year. Last night was the last board meeting of the year led by President Renie Barger. Renie thanked Randy Davis and Mary Jean Grief for their 3 years of service as they retire from the board. She welcomed the new board members Denise Bristol and Pam Benzing who attended the meeting as guests. Other new board members Sid Hancock, Heather Overby and Melisa Mast who could not attend the meeting will begin their board terms in July. A board retreat is planned for Friday July 10 and Sunday July 12.
Fundraising Chair and Past President Valerie Pollard was also thanked by Renie for her 6 years of board service as she retires from the board. Valerie did the wrap up for the Curtain Call Auction of parts for the Wizard of Oz. After expenses the theatre raised over $14,000 from this event and everyone felt it was a great success. Valerie has agreed to continue to help on the fundraising committee as a non board member for next years event.
President elect, Cindy Miller, talked briefly about ideas for a couple of fundraising events for next season and ideas for the board retreat. Cindy officially takes over as President July 1. The board agreed to operate on a temporary budget for the new year until a final budget is approved in July.
As we end the year we are doing better than we expected financially thanks in big part to the success of the High School Musical and the Wizard of Oz box office. We will still end the year with a deficit but it will be much smaller than we had originally estimated back in January. The January predictions of a $30,000-$50,000 deficit were a real possibility. With the ice storm devastation to ticket sales of Southern Comforts and the loss of a major grant from the city, along with lower contributions because of the stock market we began to aggressively cut expenses back in January. Those cuts have kept us on a solid financial footing and I'm pleased to say that with the cuts and box office from the Wizard of Oz it looks like our deficit will be approx. $10,000. That $10,000 will be borrowed from the theatre's next fiscal year. The board will seek ways to make up that $10,000 in the next budget.
Staff members April, Jim, and Janice are in high gear for the Disney Kids Sleeping Beauty Musical Camp performance Friday and Saturday. Costumes are being made, props created by the kids in the camp and sets and lighting are being worked on. After the board meeting last night I set the preliminary light cues for the show. Today we will scan the artwork created by the kids in the camp as the scenic projections for the show. The sound system has to be set up for playback of the music for the kids to sing and dance to.
April does a daily newsletter for the kids in the camp to remind them of what they have accomplished each day and to help them remember what is important to work on before the next day. The camp is only two weeks long and the campers learn choreography, learn music, and develop characters for the show Sleeping Beauty. Jim Keeney has put in lots of work on a magical orb for the evil queen and a large dragon effect for the climax of the play when the queen turns herself into a dragon.
April has now called me 3 times about her rehearsal this morning so its time for me to head out the door.
Fundraising Chair and Past President Valerie Pollard was also thanked by Renie for her 6 years of board service as she retires from the board. Valerie did the wrap up for the Curtain Call Auction of parts for the Wizard of Oz. After expenses the theatre raised over $14,000 from this event and everyone felt it was a great success. Valerie has agreed to continue to help on the fundraising committee as a non board member for next years event.
President elect, Cindy Miller, talked briefly about ideas for a couple of fundraising events for next season and ideas for the board retreat. Cindy officially takes over as President July 1. The board agreed to operate on a temporary budget for the new year until a final budget is approved in July.
As we end the year we are doing better than we expected financially thanks in big part to the success of the High School Musical and the Wizard of Oz box office. We will still end the year with a deficit but it will be much smaller than we had originally estimated back in January. The January predictions of a $30,000-$50,000 deficit were a real possibility. With the ice storm devastation to ticket sales of Southern Comforts and the loss of a major grant from the city, along with lower contributions because of the stock market we began to aggressively cut expenses back in January. Those cuts have kept us on a solid financial footing and I'm pleased to say that with the cuts and box office from the Wizard of Oz it looks like our deficit will be approx. $10,000. That $10,000 will be borrowed from the theatre's next fiscal year. The board will seek ways to make up that $10,000 in the next budget.
Staff members April, Jim, and Janice are in high gear for the Disney Kids Sleeping Beauty Musical Camp performance Friday and Saturday. Costumes are being made, props created by the kids in the camp and sets and lighting are being worked on. After the board meeting last night I set the preliminary light cues for the show. Today we will scan the artwork created by the kids in the camp as the scenic projections for the show. The sound system has to be set up for playback of the music for the kids to sing and dance to.
April does a daily newsletter for the kids in the camp to remind them of what they have accomplished each day and to help them remember what is important to work on before the next day. The camp is only two weeks long and the campers learn choreography, learn music, and develop characters for the show Sleeping Beauty. Jim Keeney has put in lots of work on a magical orb for the evil queen and a large dragon effect for the climax of the play when the queen turns herself into a dragon.
April has now called me 3 times about her rehearsal this morning so its time for me to head out the door.
Monday, June 22, 2009
The morning after
The cast ended the show on a high note yesterday and after the set strike Guest Glinda Chris Black who came to help with the tearing down of the set complimented the cast on their graciousness in allowing others to do their roles for one night and how they all were so generous and welcoming to those who made a guest appearance Saturday night. I posted some photos on the Market House Theatre face book page.
Today will be spent working on the awards and the wrap up for the picnic tonight at 5:30 at Keiler park. The BBQ and Fried Chicken have been ordered. The soft drinks purchased. All we need now is clear skies and maybe a little relief from the heat.
April and Jim are hard at work on the dragon and the other magical props for the Sleeping Beauty Drama Camp which performs this Friday and Saturday. Over 3o kids will present the Disney Kids Sleeping Beauty production on the Market House Theatre stage. We will re-use some of the Wizard of Oz set with a few changes to make it easier to get Sleeping Beauty up.
The final board meeting of the fiscal year is Wednesday evening and financials and other materials are also going out today for that meeting.
Lots and Lots to do today!
Today will be spent working on the awards and the wrap up for the picnic tonight at 5:30 at Keiler park. The BBQ and Fried Chicken have been ordered. The soft drinks purchased. All we need now is clear skies and maybe a little relief from the heat.
April and Jim are hard at work on the dragon and the other magical props for the Sleeping Beauty Drama Camp which performs this Friday and Saturday. Over 3o kids will present the Disney Kids Sleeping Beauty production on the Market House Theatre stage. We will re-use some of the Wizard of Oz set with a few changes to make it easier to get Sleeping Beauty up.
The final board meeting of the fiscal year is Wednesday evening and financials and other materials are also going out today for that meeting.
Lots and Lots to do today!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Saturday preparations
The show last night was great again. Standing ovations have been constant throughout the run. After the show last night the cast gathered at Jim and Ted Roush's apartment for lots of food. Jim cooked Indian food for those who wanted to try something different. (I tasted it and it was great!) For the others there was hot dogs and spaghetti. Mary Jane Bowles and Doug Arnold made a wizard of Oz dessert out of rice crispy treats and m & m's. Oh those creative arts people! I left shortly before midnight reminding the cast of their early call today for the matinee.
This morning I'm meeting with Cindy Miller to audition a couple of more performers for Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming. We should announce the call backs or cast list within the next day or so.
Today will be spent dealing with food and show issues. I have to confirm the food for the cast party tomorrow after the final performance. Confirm the food for the picnic on Monday. Work on the golden screw awards for the picnic. Get the studio theatre setup to feed the cast between shows today and then cleaned up for the church which rents the second stage space on Sunday mornings. Do a final check and work through brief staging changes for the fundraising event tonight with the winners of the Wizard of Oz auction. I'm also preparing the photo discs for the cast. We sell photo discs of the shows for $10 and all the proceeds go to volunteer appreciation to buy things like the food for the picnic, water for the backstage, food for between shows, etc... There are over 900 photos on the photo cd. Bill Fox graciously donated his time to come in and take the photos with his high speed equipment. Unfortunately because of copyright restrictions no video of the performance is allowed.
Each performance I constantly scan the audience to make sure that no one is taking photos or video taping the performance. Last night I was watching and suddenly noticed the little digital screen of a camera in the audience taking photos or video. These days you can't tell which. I slowly worked my way down the aisle until I could identify the person and then moved quickly to the woman and told her she had to stop immediately. I try to always make an announcement before the show. It is also in the program. I know the woman heard the announcement but I guess she didn't think it applied to her. We have to worry that clips would show up on youtube and then we could be liable for copyright violation and damages. Every actor, technician as well as the theatre can be named in a damage suit. That's why we get a little crazy about people not videotaping.
As much as this show keeps me on pins and needles hoping that everything continues to go well, I will miss the show when it is over. It has been a rewarding experience for me to work on this production. The cast and crew have done an outstanding job. Audience response has been overwhelming. This will be one of those shows that I personally will remember for many years and I believe our community will remember as well.
This morning I'm meeting with Cindy Miller to audition a couple of more performers for Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming. We should announce the call backs or cast list within the next day or so.
Today will be spent dealing with food and show issues. I have to confirm the food for the cast party tomorrow after the final performance. Confirm the food for the picnic on Monday. Work on the golden screw awards for the picnic. Get the studio theatre setup to feed the cast between shows today and then cleaned up for the church which rents the second stage space on Sunday mornings. Do a final check and work through brief staging changes for the fundraising event tonight with the winners of the Wizard of Oz auction. I'm also preparing the photo discs for the cast. We sell photo discs of the shows for $10 and all the proceeds go to volunteer appreciation to buy things like the food for the picnic, water for the backstage, food for between shows, etc... There are over 900 photos on the photo cd. Bill Fox graciously donated his time to come in and take the photos with his high speed equipment. Unfortunately because of copyright restrictions no video of the performance is allowed.
Each performance I constantly scan the audience to make sure that no one is taking photos or video taping the performance. Last night I was watching and suddenly noticed the little digital screen of a camera in the audience taking photos or video. These days you can't tell which. I slowly worked my way down the aisle until I could identify the person and then moved quickly to the woman and told her she had to stop immediately. I try to always make an announcement before the show. It is also in the program. I know the woman heard the announcement but I guess she didn't think it applied to her. We have to worry that clips would show up on youtube and then we could be liable for copyright violation and damages. Every actor, technician as well as the theatre can be named in a damage suit. That's why we get a little crazy about people not videotaping.
As much as this show keeps me on pins and needles hoping that everything continues to go well, I will miss the show when it is over. It has been a rewarding experience for me to work on this production. The cast and crew have done an outstanding job. Audience response has been overwhelming. This will be one of those shows that I personally will remember for many years and I believe our community will remember as well.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Getting ready for final weekend
We are just a couple of hours away from the final weekend of the Wizard of Oz. The show has broken the all time box office record for the theatre selling well over 3,000 tickets for the run. There are a few seats left for the final weekend but waiting lists have already been started for the sold out performances.
Last night was the full dress rehearsal for the Saturday night fundraising performance of Wizard of Oz. The cast could not retain their composure when Chris Black was revealed in his pink gown, crown and wand as Glinda the Good witch. Emily Yocum several times had to look at the floor or turn her head as Chris rendered his own unique version of the witch of the north. Tickets for the Saturday night show are going fast. We had one small moment of worry last night when Dorothy threw the water on Auction winner Mary Keef, the wicked witch, to melt her. Denise Bohle forgot to tell Mary to close her mouth and the wicked witch was almost drowned with a face full of water. After taking a moment to catch her breath again, Mary stepped back into the role and melted like a pro! David Mast donned his Munchkin Mayor costume and led the Munchkins in singing and dancing in celebration of Ding Dong the Witch is Dead! David was later heard to say something about next time he bid on a part he wanted to know the number of lines that were involved before he bid on it. David Jernigan put on the Lion costume and sang and danced his way along with the help of the scarecrow, tinman and Dorothy and did a terrific job for only a couple of rehearsals.
I'm hard at work trying to get ready for the Golden Screw awards next monday at the picnic. If anyone would like to nominate someone they can email me at m.cochran@mhtplay.com and I would be happy to accept the nomination. I'm ordering food tomorrow for the event and hope that we have a big turnout. Please contact the box office if you are going to attend. The only thing we ask is you bring a dish to pass.
We are still holding auditions for Smoke on the Mountain. A couple of people who contacted the theatre about auditions were out of town during the regular auditions so we are seeing those people this weekend. I hope we have a cast by next Tuesday.
April is about to wrap up the first week of the Sleeping Beauty Camp and they have been staging the show and working on sets and props.
Last night was the full dress rehearsal for the Saturday night fundraising performance of Wizard of Oz. The cast could not retain their composure when Chris Black was revealed in his pink gown, crown and wand as Glinda the Good witch. Emily Yocum several times had to look at the floor or turn her head as Chris rendered his own unique version of the witch of the north. Tickets for the Saturday night show are going fast. We had one small moment of worry last night when Dorothy threw the water on Auction winner Mary Keef, the wicked witch, to melt her. Denise Bohle forgot to tell Mary to close her mouth and the wicked witch was almost drowned with a face full of water. After taking a moment to catch her breath again, Mary stepped back into the role and melted like a pro! David Mast donned his Munchkin Mayor costume and led the Munchkins in singing and dancing in celebration of Ding Dong the Witch is Dead! David was later heard to say something about next time he bid on a part he wanted to know the number of lines that were involved before he bid on it. David Jernigan put on the Lion costume and sang and danced his way along with the help of the scarecrow, tinman and Dorothy and did a terrific job for only a couple of rehearsals.
I'm hard at work trying to get ready for the Golden Screw awards next monday at the picnic. If anyone would like to nominate someone they can email me at m.cochran@mhtplay.com and I would be happy to accept the nomination. I'm ordering food tomorrow for the event and hope that we have a big turnout. Please contact the box office if you are going to attend. The only thing we ask is you bring a dish to pass.
We are still holding auditions for Smoke on the Mountain. A couple of people who contacted the theatre about auditions were out of town during the regular auditions so we are seeing those people this weekend. I hope we have a cast by next Tuesday.
April is about to wrap up the first week of the Sleeping Beauty Camp and they have been staging the show and working on sets and props.
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