The Miss Firecracker Contest caps off Strollers Theatre’s 2007-2008 season and to celebrate we’d like to invite members, friends, family, and theatre enthusiasts to raise a glass with the cast and crew. Come see The Miss Firecracker Contest at 7:30 PM on May 14th and join us backstage immediately following the performance for the opening night party. Refreshments will be provided!
Carnelle Scott’s only dream is to win the local beauty contest and gain acceptance from her small Southern town. But will tap-dancing, roman candles, and a misbehaving hoop skirt really help her do the trick? One of Beth Henley’s most heartwarming and hilarious plays.
“This explosively funny play again demonstrates the author’s unique gift for finding humor and wisdom in the zany activities of small-town life.” - New York Times
Shows run through May 31st, Wednesday through Saturday. Show times are 7:30 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, 8 PM on Friday, 4 PM and 8 PM on Saturdays. General admission. Tickets, $15, are available at the door or in advance by calling (608) 661-9696, option 2. Reservations are recommended.
The Strollers annual meeting was held on April 26th at our rehearsal space. Quite a few people were in attendance as new bylaws were passed, the 2008-2009 season was approved, and elections were held.
The bylaws amendment passed, so Strollers now is operating under completely reworked bylaws. The new bylaws have been posted. They aren’t perfect, but they should help guide us better than the old ones did. Any further suggested changes should be brought to the Board’s attention.
Second, it was decided that the 2008-2009 season should be four shows, which are “Doubt” by John Patrick Shanley, “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, “The Homecoming” by Harold Pinter, and “The Little Dog Laughed” by Douglas Carter Beane.
Last, elections for Strollers officers and at-large Board members were held. There were a lot of excellent nominations in all categories, and those elected are:
With this meeting past we look forward to “The Miss Firecracker Contest” and summer. Over the next month the Board will be working to determine directors, producers, and designers for the 2008-2009 season, so if you are interested get in contact with us.
Strollers is in the news once again. Jay Rath has written a nice article in the Isthmus this week, “Strollers Theatre Starts Over,” about our return, the upcoming “The Miss Firecracker Contest,” and the all-around success of “The Lieutenant of Inishmore.” Including a great story:
“I was working the box office, and on the first Friday a ticket-buyer mentioned that he had acted in the play,” says Trout. “That came as a surprise to me, because ours was the Wisconsin premiere of the play.
“As it turns out, he played the role of Donny on Broadway for over 300 performances. He enjoyed the show and said that the second scene was the best rendition that he had seen, including his own show. He saw the ad in the paper and drove down from Columbus where he was acting in the Johnny Depp movie.”
With so much good work, history, and tradition to build on and be thankful for it isn’t quite starting over so much as rolling out “version 2.0″ of our theatre company. As always, Strollers couldn’t operate without the support of the hundreds of volunteers, countless interested parties in the local press and business communities, and the thousands of patrons throughout the years.
THANK YOU.
The question of proxies arose at the last Strollers General Meeting. Could a member designate a proxy?
The answer, as given by Wisconsin Statutes, is yes, unless the organizations bylaws or articles of incorporation say otherwise. Neither the current or proposed bylaws prevent the designation of a proxy.
As such, a form has been created by the Strollers Board of Directors to indicate such an arrangement to them. If you wish to be represented by proxy in any of the upcoming meetings please fill it out, print it, sign it, and return it to the Board of Directors either by mail or in person. It is an Adobe Acrobat form so you may type in every form field (except the signature) prior to printing it.
Download: Strollers Theatre Proxy Form
Strollers Theatre will hold our annual membership meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at our rehearsal space, the former Affordable Futons, 1709 Monroe St., Madison, WI.
The purpose of this meeting is the enactment of amendments to the Strollers bylaws as considered at the April 13th meeting, the election of the officers and board members, and consideration of the report of the playreading committee and adoption of our 2008-2009 season.
On April 13th the 17 members present voted to consider amending the bylaws by replacing them, carried unanimously by a voice vote. That vote was preceded by discussion in which the proposed bylaws were modified.
Under the current bylaws the amendment will need a 2/3 majority on April 26th to pass.
People wishing to become members can do so at the meeting, by completing a new member form and paying dues ($5).
A general membership meeting has been called for 10:30 AM on April 13, 2008, to be held in the Drury Theatre of the Bartell. The purpose of the meeting is voting to consider amendments to the bylaws. The current bylaws are decades old and the interim Board of Directors believes they do not fit our current needs, and do not address many issues which have arisen in recent years. The interim Board believes updating the bylaws is vital to our continued success as an institution.
A committee appointed by the interim President, Tony Trout, has prepared a complete rewrite of our current bylaws. The committee examined the bylaws of several nonprofit groups, including theatre groups, combining the best aspects from those bylaws and our current bylaws. The main changes involve increasing the number of board members as well as clarifying the privileges and responsibilities of membership, including the expectation of professional and respectful behavior towards all. The current process of selecting plays, the responsibilities of board directors, the relationship between the Board and production personnel, and the means of amending the bylaws are essentially unchanged.
Printed copies of both the current and proposed bylaws will be provided at the meetings. Electronic copies of the current bylaws and the proposed bylaws amendments are available in PDF form:
This bylaw revision is presented to you with the understanding that further amendments may be proposed and considered at the April 13th meeting.
Amending the bylaws requires two meetings. At the first meeting, members vote to consider an amendment by a simple majority. At the second meeting, members vote to adopt the amendments by a 2/3 majority. The complete process is described in Article VIII of our current bylaws.
The current draft of the bylaws amendments will not be modified between now and the April 13 meeting. Please withhold debate and suggested modifications to the proposed bylaws until the April 13 meeting. If you have any questions about the proposed amendments please contact Lauri Roman (mamalau@aol.com).
At the April 13 meeting members will modify the current draft and vote to consider it at the annual meeting. People who wish to vote, modify, make motions, or otherwise take part in the meeting must bring their membership up to date by paying the $5 dues. Members who paid dues at the last annual meeting have been informed of this meeting by card as required in the current bylaws and do not need to renew their dues until the next annual meeting. Membership is open to all people 16 years or older who have participated in one or more Strollers activities.
The considered amendments will not be modified between the April 13 meeting and the vote to adopt them at the annual meeting.
The Strollers annual meeting will be held at 2:00 PM on April 26th, 2008, at our current rehearsal space, Affordable Futons, 1709 Monroe Street, Madison. A vote to adopt the proposed amendments, elections to the Board of Directors, and approval of the 2008-2009 season at the Bartell will occur at that time.
The Bartell Theatre is at 113 E. Mifflin St., Madison, WI.
The interim Board of Directors is composed of Tony Trout, president; Lauri Roman, vice president; David Lawver, secretary; Miranda McClenaghan, treasurer; and Don McCoy, past president.
The Bylaws Subcommittee was composed of Tony Trout, Lauri Roman, Don McCoy, Bob Plankers, and Miranda McClenaghan.
We have also sent this as email to as many Strollers email addresses as we have. Please feel free to forward this to other Strollers parties. Thank you!
Update: The application period for this position is over. Thanks to everybody who applied!
The Bartell Theatre is taking applications currently to fill the position of Managing Director, and we’re happy to help by reposting the details below. If you are interested or know of someone who might be please apply or pass the information along.
If you have specific questions or need more information please contact the Bartell Theatre themselves, via the contact information below. Thanks!
The Gerald Bartell Community Theatre is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Managing Director. Applications are due by 4:00 pm on Friday, April 4, with interviews anticipated during the week of April 14. Interested parties should send a current resume, cover letter and at least 3 employment references to bart@bartelltheatre.org or via regular mail to:
Bartell Theater, Attn: Hiring Committee
113 E Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703A copy of the position description follows:
JOB TITLE: Managing Director
March 2008ACCOUNTABILITY
Reports to the Bartell Theatre Board of Directors with the President of the Bartell Theatre Foundation acting as immediate supervisor.AUTHORITY
The Board of Directors grants wide discretion and authority to the Managing Director for making day-to-day decisions.JOB SUMMARY
Executes all day-to-day operations of Bartell Theatre. The Managing Director is tasked with the orderly functioning of all aspects of the theater office and physical plant and equipment.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. General Administration of Business Office
a) Maintain organizational records, including business transactions, financial records, deposits and check-writing, payroll, payroll-reporting, and expense approvals, in conjunction with the Bartell accountant.
b) Maintain archival information on Board of Directors meeting minutes and Bartell policies and procedures.
c) Work with the Board on the development of budgetary estimates and financial planning. Provide timely budgetary information to the President and Board.
d) Update and maintain standard operating procedure manuals for all areas of the theatre
e) Coordinate scheduling and rental of the Drury and Evjue stages.
f) Coordinate theatre maintenance and supplies.
g) Order and maintain concessions and bar inventories.
h) Timely return correspondence, phone calls, email and general inquiries to the theatre
i) Regularly review condition of technical equipment (lighting instruments, sound equipment, etc.) and ensure adequate repair and maintenance.
j) Recommend office acquisitions to the Board for approval.
k) Provide service and support as needed to the Board of Directors.
l) Prepare for all Board members prior to Board meetings: an agenda, a monthly financial statement (in conjunction with the accountant,) a General Manager’s report, and other material as directed by the Boards.
m) Attend all regular meetings of the Operations and Management Board and the Protection and Enhancement Board, coordinate with the Board Treasurer on an ongoing basis, and report to the President as business requires
2. Volunteer Coordination
a) Provide direct supervision to theatre volunteers.
b) Establish bartenders for all evening and weekend performances in the theater.
c) Ensure that the Technical Committee and Maintenance Committees are staffed with volunteers and meeting as needed.
d) Facilitate the ongoing growth of the pool of available volunteers
e) Schedule periodic work days for volunteers to assist in the repair and maintenance of the physical plant and equipment.
3. Community relations and development
a) Represent the Bartell at meetings and events of various community organizations.
b) Ensure that display cases and other public areas are up-to-date and contain current information about events at the Bartell.
c) Attend community arts and civic meetings relative to the theatre as required.
d) Work with the development committee to develop and coordinate fundraising activities.
e) Create/update, assemble and mail promotional materials as requested.
f) Keep the Bartell master calendar current.
g) Provide current information to the webmaster of the MadStage website.
h) Other duties as assigned.SKILLS AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
a) Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on a variety of levels.
b) Commitment to working with people from a variety of backgrounds.
c) Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
d) Exceptional time management skills combined with attention to detail.
e) Computer skills using email, word processing, databases, spreadsheets and desktop publishing software.
f) Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team.
g) Experience with volunteers and working in a theatre environment.
h) Ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of community groups to promote understanding of the participation in the children’s theatre program.
i) Maintain above average standards of ethics, conduct and organizational policies in job related activities.
j) Hands-on attitude.
k) Practical knowledge of theatre operations and a commitment to activities and productions, including working knowledge of light and sound equipment (or willingness to learn the basics of light and sound equipment.)
l) Passion for the performing arts.WORKING CONDITIONS
Occasional evening and weekend work required.TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Forty (40) hours per week. Hours of work are negotiable.Starting salary for the Managing Director is $25,000- 30,000 annually. Specified paid holidays and 2 weeks vacation are included with this position. Health insurance reimbursement is available.
Thirty (30) days notice prior to termination of employment.