Stratford Playhouse Booster Club Meeting Minutes September 18, 2012

The first meeting of the 2012-13 school year was called to order by President Joe Elliott. The minutes from the last meeting in May were approved. Treasurer Shannon Finger distributed: The proposed budget for 2012-13, 2012-13 Proposed Operational Budget by Show, and Activity Account Budget. A motion was made and passed to approve all. CeCe Prudhomme and David Clayton gave the Directors Report: Preparations for Youre a Good Man, Charlie Brown are underway and going very well. Thespians will be taking the show Bright Ideas to Festival this year in late November. Rehearsals for this will begin immediately after Charlie Brown ends. They are beginning to build out the stage and hope to leave it up all year. Thespian Liaison Jennie Baker reported that of the 79 kids who qualify for Thespians this year, 74 have paid dues, and t-shirts have been ordered. Thespians is a national organization in which kids earn points (through being in or working on shows) to become a member. The next big event is Project Playhouse, a morning of activities for grades K-5. Children will be taught the ins and outs of how to put on a show and then perform a number right before the matinee for Charlie Brown begins. Children are invited to stay and watch for a reduced fee, and then meet the cast and crew. Please spread the word in the community about this great event. SHS students interested in becoming a Thespian should check the call wall for events/ways to earn points. There will be a Thespian Progressive Dinner on November 16th at the homes of the Agnews, Bridges and Daniels. Thespian Convention will be in Houston in late November, and students invited to attend will be notified soon. Fundraising Chair Meredith Lamberton touched briefly on student fundraisers this year, which include: 1. Studio Movie Grill tickets for $8 Contact Maureen Richter 2. Pajamas (See link: http://pajamafundraiser.com/)

3. Popcorn Maureen Richter On another fundraising note, an online auction was recently held for 2 Legally Blonde tickets which earned the Playhouse $200! Melissa Hardy and Jeanie Flores, Gala Chairs, announced the date and theme for our biggest fundraiser of the year: Black & White: A Broadway Night, to be held on Jan. 25th at Lakeside Country Club. Please save the date for this fabulous event! As always, we can look forward to seeing a number from the big show, Crazy for You, as well as a performance from each class and the techies. They are still looking for someone to head acquisitions and the auction catalog. Membership Chair Courtney Schultz is now accepting forms for membership into the Playhouse Booster Club. We have 54 families so far, with a goal of 100. Please spread the word, especially to freshman families. If your child is on cast or crew of any upcoming show, it is a requirement to join. Please note: Those who have not joined by Oct. 1st will no longer receive emails with important dates and information!!!! Publicity Chair Claire Sharp was on-hand to distribute posters for Charlie Brown. The more posters we hang, and the more we talk up the show to friends and family in the community, the better attended it will be. So, get the word out starting now! Joan Flynn will be in charge of Big Forms this year. If your child is on cast or crew (or even if theyre not), this is the way to pay for t-shirts, yard signs, DVDs, costumes, Booster Club membership and more all in one easy, convenient form. Big Forms for Charlie Brown are due by Sept. 28th. Questions? Contact Joan Flynn at joan@jb.bz or 832-443-8868. Joan is also working on Volunteer Spot, a website with links to sign up for and receive reminder emails for volunteer activities such as green room, cast & crew lunches and concessions. Allison Michaud, chair for Yard Signs and Banners is now taking orders for yard signs. They are 18x24 with silver metal stakes and are available for all 5 shows (Charlie Brown, Crazy for You, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Thespian Show and UIL Show) this year. Prices are as follows: $35/3, $45/4 or $50/5. Please use Big Form to order. Distribution for Charlie Brown signs will begin at the next Booster Club meeting. Robin Tompkins, Box Office chair is in need of volunteers to sell tickets in the box office. There will be a training session in early October. Please contact

Robin rtompkins2@comcast.net if interested. Season ticket sales will continue through the end of Charlie Brown. Playbill Advertising chair Betsy Humphrey reported that we have many returning and some new patrons who will be featured in our playbill this year. For one price, the patron will be featured in all 3 playbills. Deadline for business and personal ads is Oct. 1st. Artwork goes to Amy Moen. Use Big Form to order. Donna Brown, T-shirt chair, showed us the artwork for the Charlie Brown t-shirt. Cast and crew names will be on back. Cost per shirt is $15, and may be ordered on Big Form. Peggy Newbanks reported that our annual Barnes & Noble Book fair will be Dec. 7th and 8th, and as always, we are given a portion of credit from sales. In exchange, we volunteer to wrap gifts. Please save the dates and plan to volunteer. Katherine Dalton, Brat Mat chair, announced that there will be a student matinee for Crazy for You. Kathy Goss will facilitate walk-ons and cast & crew meet and greets at all the productions. Concessions chair Mary Cole welcomes volunteers to sell candy and drinks before and during intermissions of all shows. Contact mcole@alum.mit.edu or sign up on Big Form or Volunteer Spot. New Business Joe Elliott 1. A Celebration of CeCe Prudhommes 20th anniversary at SHS will be held May 25, 2013. It will bring back our fabulous SHS Playhouse alumni to perform various numbers. There will be 2 shows, a matinee and an evening show. Put this on your calendar now! 2. There will be an adult-only Taco Truck Party on Nov. 2nd. 20 spots still left! $100/couple. Margaritas and beer will be served. This is one of the parties auctioned at Gala last year. 3. Chairmen are needed for the following: Blue Willow Book Day, Green Room, and Cast and Crew After party (co-chair). 4. The majority of costumes for Crazy for You will be rented. This means a lot of alterations. Parents with children in the cast are required to attend

two of four workdays in December and January. Be on the lookout for the announcement of these dates. All others wanting to help are welcome! President Joe Elliott reminded us of these upcoming dates: 1. Tickets for Charlie Brown go on sale beginning Monday, September 27th. 2. Oct. 1st deadline to join booster club or you will no longer receive emails. 3. Tuesday, Oct. 9th next meeting of Playhouse Booster Club 4. Wed, Oct. 10th box office opens for Charlie Brown 5. Nov. 2nd Adults only Taco Truck Party As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

-- Marion Bridges, Recording Secretary