March
2005 addendum
I didn't expect to
communicate with you this soon. But, due to some recent actions of the Board,
this short addendum seems to be the most appropriate means to contact the
membership. As you may know by now, the Board has approved the addition of a Children's
Theatre production for October of 2005. We are asking for any potential
directors, who have shows in mind, to forward them to the LTCT office as
soon as possible. The deadline is April 14th, the next board meeting, when
the board will select the director and his or her choice. (Keep in mind that
should there be numerous responses, additional time will be needed to make the
selection.) We apologize for the short notice and if it doesn't fit into your
plans right now, we encourage you to consider next season to participate. Thank
you for understanding.
AND…now that spring has officially arrived, our thoughts must turn to
summer, for what is spring north of the 45th parallel anyway, but a mere three
day tease into summer. So, having said that, the call is going out for nominations
for LTCT's infamous Pig and Egg Awards. Once again, the prestigious pig is
awarded to one who has made a significant commitment to the theatre in the past.
While the egg is awarded to a dedicated soul whose enthusiasm has been displayed
this current season. You are asked to forward the name or names of your
person/people of choice to the LTCT office to any receptive board member. These
awards will be made at the Annual Meeting this June, the location and date of
which is still to be announced.
AND…It is also time again to remind you all that the LTCT board
needs restocking. This "spine" of the organization serves a much
needed function and five new terms will be open and awaiting your
participation. You are encouraged to give it some serious consideration. Larry
Willis is heading the nominating committee and will receive your comments or
questions at 347-7775 or 347-3399.
March 2005
Who’s going to argue against growth?
It seems to be a natural occurrence in most living organisms. It’s reflective
of a positive vibrant being; one that is expanding to meet new demands
encountered in a healthy life cycle. Without growth, old worn out parts are not
replaced and a healthy life begins to fade.
The same can be observed in an organization without resurgence, new ideas turn
old, activities grow obsolete, and what was yesterday’s newfound enthusiasm,
becomes today’s repetitive behavior….all of which is particularly bad for
artistic expression. A healthy group, like LTCT, welcomes a constant infusion of
new technology and creativity to sustain its unique behavior of theatrical
interpretation and production.
However, it can be argued that uncontrolled growth can have a negative impact.
Does too much too soon damage whatever positive accomplishments that have been
achieved? Was LTCT’s experiment to increase to five it’s annual productions,
after doing three for years, a bit too much, zapping energy and resources of a
growing organization? Obviously many feel there is room for more than three, and
by golly four just might be a logical choice. There is a good chance that LTCT
will attempt four productions next year, reflecting controlled growth as we
enter the 60 th season. It goes without saying that your participation is ever
so necessary for its success. -Douglas
Flewelling
October
2004
We all experience a little exhaustion
this time of year (and didn't summer just end last week???). The same can be
said of LTCT's season. We are already into rehearsing our third show, and
Halloween just ended. In times past, Halloween came in the middle of the first
show's rehearsal.
It can be overwhelming if you're one of those in charge, like our
treasurer/business manager Betsy Willis. "They're all coming too fast"
she said. And, from her point of view she's right. Besides year-end reports,
routine monthly financial reports, board of director reports, and budget
balancing, you'll find her on the phone pleading for money, taking ticket
orders, calling in markers, or manning the box office, fixing broken egos, and
mending fences. This for each show, and when they come back to back, it's a lot
of committing. (I'm sure she'll remind me of another dozen jobs I've left out,
but there just isn't room.)
So thank you, Betsy. You may soon be able to catch your breath, and perhaps we
won't schedule so many productions back-to-back next season.
-Douglas Flewelling LTCT
September
2004
Just in case you were wondering, the
LTCT Board, like many other boards, is ultimately responsible for the successes
or failures of the organization each year. Since they usually try to achieve the
former, attention is paid to not only financial and business details, but other
functions such as increasing membership, much needed sponsorships, grant
writing, publicity, and not least of all, play production.
Many of these concerns are addressed through a committee, as those of you who
have served on one (thank you) know. One of the most critical board
responsibilities is selecting a season, and the artistic committee has gathered
and is in the middle of this function this very moment. This is critical, not
only because of the obvious, but because in order to achieve a successful
season, difficult choices need to be made.
Should we do something old or something new by someone
dead?
Or something tried and true that's been well read?
Do we do a musical, or only comedies, or two of
each?
And be sure that it's something within our reach. Is
there a director who loves the show?
Is there a designer who's ready to go?
Should we………..enough of this!!!!!!
A cast of 127 doesn't always work for us. A show requiring a 5-story
building doesn't always work for us. Sometimes these apparent limitations can be
overcome with a creative imagination. Sometimes a cast of two is easy to do but
might not be the right blend for this year.
Choices upon choices, all part of the difficult task facing the artistic
committee these next few months. An autocratic choice, to be made in a
democratic sort of way. I'm sure they will work it out. They haven't done so
badly in the past. -Doug Flewelling LTCT
August 2004
View from the Second Balcony...
We have all heard it many times before, ninety percent of the work is done
by ten percent of the people, and for the most part it is probably true. It
certainly is true for many civic volunteer organizations, and LTCT is no
exception. Of course those ten percent need the other ninety percent if anything
is going to work successfully. If you've experienced this, you know, but if you
haven't, just ask Pat Stedman or Sabra Hayden, the director and producer of the
recent production of Little Shop of Horrors. You'll likely receive a
confirmation of the hours of not only "actual work" but an explanation
as well of just how much preplanning was necessary to get this summer's show up
and running. Beginning last winter, they had to assemble a crew consisting of
designers for music, sets, lights, sound, costumes, makeup, and props.
Constructions crews for the same, as well as people to handle the
particularities of this show (puppeteers and musicians). Include the dozen or so
backstage obligations, the necessary actors and a partridge in a pear tree, and
you have nearly one hundred people spending thousands of hours working on this
production. All donated time. No one is paid.
So thank you, those of you who did ten percent of the work. Thank you for being
there, being interested, and being dependable. Thank you, those of you who did
ninety percent. Thank you for having a passion large enough, a creativity great
enough, and energy plentiful enough to make it work. We who observed it were
truly entertained. Oh, by the way, we are going to do this four more times this
season. Come and donate. It's quite an experience. -Doug Flewelling LTCT
July 2004
View from the Second Balcony…
This is my opportunity to welcome you all to LTCT's 2004/05 season. Obviously
some of you are deeply involved already as Little Shop is off and running, the
first time in some 30 years, if I'm not mistaken, that this group has ventured
forth with a summer production. With three more shows plus a children's theater
production, this year will prove to be an exciting challenge and one I'm sure we
accept with great enthusiasm.
I congratulate the accomplishments of Kendal Taylor, last year's board, and
others whose efforts led us so successfully to this point. With this in mind, I
sincerely want to encourage all of you to find the time to participate in this
season. It is because of your interests and efforts that we all experience the
rewards of a successful production, so… old or young, experienced or not,
"Please come one and all to the fair."
Do feel free to express your comments, criticisms, or compliments to myself or
any board member. The doors of communication are always open and we are glad to
hear from you. So thank you for this opportunity. It should be a fun and
exciting season, and together I'm sure we will make it work.
Until next time. -Your President, Doug Flewelling LTCT