MERRYMEETING COMMUNITY PLAYERS

September 1, 1999, Saint Mary's Church, Bath, Maine

Meeting called to order at 6:30 by president Lennie Eichman.

Present: Lennie Eichman, Henry Eichman, Rachel Prescott, Andrew Stewart, Marie Stewart. Regrets: Diane Sturgis, Judy Diemer, Jan Crosson

SECRETARY'S REPORT: Minutes of the June 27, meeting were presented. Henry moved for acceptance. Rachel seconded. Passed.

TREASURER'S REPORT: GODSPELL and its associated fund raising efforts had a profit of $6036.29. The figures for the THE BOYFRIEND are not finalized but there is an anticipated profit of $1204.37. WHO PUSHED HUMPTY DUMPTY had an anticipated loss of $102.79. However, a donation from Stewarts brought the show within a few dollars of breaking even. With outstanding expenses and incomes rolled in, the current balance is approximately $6,000.

Thank-you notes will be sent to the Stewarts and Findlands for their contributions.

We have purchased a used Machie CR1604 sound board for $400.

Detailed reports are available from Henry.

GONDOLIERS: THE GONDOLIERS is the next show being planned. Auditions are set for the 10th and 13th of September at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brunswick at 6:30 PM. The following production positions have been identified.

Artistic Director Lennie Eichman

Technical Director Henry Eichman

Accompanist Brad

Pit Director Kathy Downing

Choreography (Auditions) Leah Tondreau

Choreography (Production) Elaine Perry (anticipated)

It was moved seconded and passed that a fee of $250 be offered to the musical director and the accompanist.

Key production positions which need to be filled are the producer and costumer. Lennie Eichman offers support to costuming

A performance space has not been identified. Mt. Ararat has been requested but we do not have approval at this time. The hall at Saint John's is also being considered but would require considerable stage work to get the sound out to the audience. Kresge is available for the Christmas break but would require moving the production time and a larger investment in performance space than the other options.

SEASON SLATE: Several future production have been considered by the founders group. We are trying to maintain a format of open cast, family oriented shows in the fall and spring, with a youth show and a children's show to be done in the summer. Other activities will be planned as resources permit. Several potential productions have been discussed;

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

LUCKY IN THE RAIN

COMPANY

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

DIVORCE ME DARLING - (SEQUAL to BOYFRIEND)

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK

BRING IN THE MORNING

LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

A variety show

A dinner theater

HALLOWEEN PARTY: It was moved, seconded and passed that we have another Halloween party this this one for us, for fun, with no paid DJ. This may be held in conjunction with the Topsham Fair Grounds hayride/haunted house or at one of our usual rehearsal locations. A pot luck of party fare with costumes and dancing is planned for all of our members, actors, and their families is planned.

BOWDOIN HARVEST DAYS: It was moved, seconded and passed that we will perform a set of Disney songs on Friday October 8, at the Bowdoin Harvest Days festival. Please call Lennie if you are interested in helping.

NEW POLICIES: It has been proposed that we begin committing a set amount to a building fund. Members present thought this was a good idea. It will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting. As in the past, when equipment/material acquisition opportunities are presented, they will be pursued after phone call/email consent of participating members is obtained.

There is a mood of apprehension among the "participating" members attending the last few meetings. With the lack of input from the members of the troupe, there are questions about what shows to produce, if we have enough commitment to take on another production and whether we should continue efforts to establish a more fixed place in our community. It may be that all of you are trusting the groups management and you are all right behind us as we forge ahead. That will be all right, PROVIDED we had some assurance that this is in fact the case. It would be better if we had more participation at the business meetings for both the increased number of ideas and the energy to keep MCP moving forward with quality theater for our players and the community. Godspell did really well, partly because of its name recognition, but if every show had the level of commitment and support, especially during the planning stages, that Godspell had, all shows might make a substantial profit and the few workers would not be exhausted.

Bon Voyage to Rachel Hanson. Enjoy and learn on your adventure. Your talents will be missed.

NEXT MEETING: September 16, 1999, 6:30PM, Cooks Corner Denny's

Agenda

GONDOLIERS - Sit Rep/go-nogo?

Season Slate

Halloween Party