Anderson High School

Theater Booster Club

September 3,2009 Meeting Minutes

Attendees:  Eric Porter, Wendy Pratt, Marcia Shultz, Nancy McCourt, Susie Doenges, Randy Russell, Pete Markham, Barbara Coldiron, Christy Currey, Pierrette Tyson, Paula Ervin, Lynn Smith, Rick L’Amie, and Theresa Pajares

Meeting was called to order by Theater Booster Club President, Barbara Coldiron at 7:05 in the Theater. 

Each Booster Club officer introduced themselves and told which children they have in Theater and the grade of each child. 

2009-2010 Season was announced by Barbara Coldiron.

            **Look Homeward Angel (October 14-18) – directed by Eric Porter and performed by the Advanced Theater III and IV students.

            **Our Town (November 12-14) – directed by Wendy Pratt and performed by the Theater II students.

            **The Musical, Footloose (Jan 27-31) – Open auditions will be in October

            **UIL, One Act (not yet named) will be March 24-25 and will be held at Westlake High School.  We will be zoned with Bastrop, Anderson, Aikens, and Westlake.  District level is April 1.  The UIL One Act will have open auditions.

            **Children’s Play Tour (spring 2010) will be directed by Wendy Pratt and will be performed by the Advanced Theater II students.

            **Student directed plays (late in spring semester 2010);  Directed by Advanced Theater III & IV students.  Performed by Theater I and II students.  Because of scheduling, only 3 plays will be performed. 

Financial Report – Nancy McCourt, Booster Club Treasurer, gave the financial report and summarized the 2008-2009 school year.  Items highlighted were the concession for each play, which made a net of:

            Diviners - $247

            Grease - $795

            One Act - $45

Also highlighted were banquet expenses of $770.  During the summer, Spirit Fest teddy bears were purchased for a total expense of $458.40.  The current balance in the Booster Club account is $7,931.47.

Director Introductions

Eric Porter introduced himself and explained that the number of enrolled theater students this year has doubled from last year, which enabled us to hire an additional theater director, Wendy Pratt.  Mr. Porter indicated that last year was a growing year for him and he thanked all the parents and students who supported him.  He was very complimentary regarding the talent of our students.  He indicated that he had an open door should parents or students wish to discuss any issues.  Mr. Porter’s hope is that the literary plays chosen for the fall productions will bring interest from English teachers and students.  He may try to write a study guide for each play as it relates to English. 

Wendy Pratt introduced herself as the new theater director, having recently moved here from Houston where she taught at two different high schools.  Ms. Pratt plans to charter a chapter of The National Thespian Society (NTS), an honor society for Theater students.  Each membership is $22.50 which includes a subscription to Dramatics Magazine.  An induction ceremony will take place for students who earned enough points last year to qualify for membership.  A second induction will occur at the year end banquet.  Wendy indicated that  she  will take students to the Corpus Christi NTS Festival in November 2009.    The website to NTS is texasthespians.org.

Punch Cards -  new this year to Theater is the use of punch cards.  Each punch card contains 5 punches which can be used as admission to any production other than the musical.  Basically this is like pre-selling tickets.  Booster members will receive 1-3 cards depending on their level of giving.

SpiritFest – This year, Anderson HS is trying a new way to fundraise.  Anderson HS SpiritFest will be held September 12 from 5-8pm.  Each school organization selected booths at which fundraising activities will occur.  Theater drew two booths:  A photobooth and a Pringle Toss.

            Photobooth – 5 possible scenes are being used and single or multiple number of students will be able to have their picture taken for $4/photo.  Students and Parents will man the booth.

1. Paula Ervin ordered 4 scenes for the photobooth where there are circles cut out for participants  to place their faces through:  Rockband (4 circles), Surfer (2 circles),  Strongman (1 circle), and a girl (1 circle).
2. In addition, we will have an open backdrop for multiple participants to pose in front of.  This will have a banner that reads “Anderson High School”.

3. Ms. Pratt will attach the scenes to wooden frames once they arrive. 

4. Nancy McCourt ordered signage banners  which should arrive shortly.

5. Theresa Pajares will purchase black fabric to hang for the open photo booth. 

6. Pierrette Tyson is coordinating parent volunteers and the LTC is coordinating students. 

7. Mr. Porter will provide sign holders for our signage to be attached to. 

8. Nancy McCourt to provide coat rack for simple costumes/proper to be used for photos.

9. Students will dress in LTC tshirts or costumes.

10.  2 tables will be set up for this booth. 

            Pringle Toss – At $1 for 3 tosses, each participant will have a chance if they “ring” a pringle can, to win a can of Pringles.  Theater students are being asked to donate 2-4 full-sized cans of Pringles.

1. Murchison has provided the Pringle Toss from their Fall Fest

2. Pringles are to be donated by Theater students.  Mr. Porter will advertise in class.

3. Spriit items are being sold at this booth as well, such as the Anderson Teddy Bears, t-shirts and tote bags.

Storage Cabinet –last year, the booster club approved the purchase of storage cabinets to safeguard our sellable items such as tshirts and concessions.  It was decided this evening to purchase lockable bins instead.  Pierrette Tyson motioned for this change and Theresa Pajares seconded the motion.

Safe Purchase – Mr. Porter indicated the need to purchase a safe that can be bolted to the ground for his office.   This would hold the microphones and ticket sales money during productions.  Barbara researched and found some for $230.  One parent suggested looking at Craig’s List for a used safe.  Pierrette Tyson motioned that we spend no more than $300 on a safe for Mr. Porter’s office.  The motion was seconded and passed.

Letter Jackets – 11 students lettered last year.  Instead of purchasing letter jackets, Mr. Porter will give the students other options which cost under $50 ( the amount budgeted per student).  He has found a catalog which offers other options. 

T-shirts for LTC -  Pierrette Tyson ordered student designed t-shirts which will be sold for $7 to our LTC students.  They read on the front:  Before you ask…  It reads on the back:  I can’t, I have rehearsal.  The tshirts should arrive within the next week.

Yard Signs – We are looking into selling yard signs, at cost, to any theater student.  The cost should run between $25-$31.  We are reviewing artwork at this point.  More information to follow.

Needed – For the upcoming plays, Mr. Porter needs the following:

1.     Twin sized bed and frame

2.    Two old metal headboards fitting twin beds.

3 .  Old Wicker furniture. 

Minutes respectfully submitted, September 4, 2009 by Theresa Pajares, Booster Club Treasurer.