Minutes: 22nd February 2010

STaG Board Meeting

22^nd February 2010

Apologies : H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, S. Bradley, K. Nesbitt, T. Mackay, F. Andrew, J. Dyer, L. Fenwick, A. Ralston, E. Burckhardt, T. Eaton.

Minutes: 15th February 2010

STaG Board Meeting

15^th February 2010

In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, S. Bradley, K. Nesbitt, T. Mackay, F. Andrew, L. Fenwick, A. Ralston, E. Burckhardt.

Apologies: J. Dyer, T. Eaton.

Agenda

1. New Writing Festival Update
2. G12 Production Fund
3. SRC Top-Up Grant
4. The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?
5. AOB

1. New Writing Festival Update

The posters and flyers have been printed and are being distributed around the casts of the four plays. A. Blundell and the NWF committee report that the plays are all doing well.

A. Blundell and S. Gregson met Susan from the Ramshorn and signed the contract. They managed to receive a reduced venue hire price of £1520, and there will be an 80/20 box office split in our favour. As part of the contract, all members who will be performing or working in the Ramshorn have to sign the Health and Safety Agreement and this will take place at the Technical Rehearsals.

There will be a pub quiz fundraiser in the STaG Room on Monday 15^th February and a bake sale on Wednesday 17^th February, outside the QMU, to raise money for the NWF.

K. Nesbitt stated that she was going to be ‘aggressive’ in signing new cast members and techies into becoming real paid-up STaG Members.

For the after-festival-announcement-of-the-winner-party, F. Andrew will be booking Viper or the Tennent’s Bar for a social. He will report back next week.

T. Mackay wished to know if it was worth using the minibuses for transport of props/set/costume to the Ramshorn. This might be unfeasible, however, because designated drivers are not available. It was suggested that there should be a discussion about as many people as possible becoming qualified minibus drivers.

A. Ralston discussed the format of the programme and it was agreed that the goat would be advertised in it.

2. G12 Production Fund

The G12 Production Fund deadline has been extended to the 15^th March. There was no final agreement about what production/slot we should apply for it with, however it was proposed that we apply for a variety of slots/a few production, or perhaps just apply for The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?.

3. SRC Top-Up Grant

The Executive Board met with the SRC to discuss receiving funding for the New Writing Festival. The SRC were impressed with what STaG had achieved as a society and it would be good to continue to keep more in touch with the SRC, to see how they can help us. They are going to give us £500 for the NWF, and help us advertise the society and the festival across campus.

4. The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?

The auditions for The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? went well and the play is now cast. There was also lots of shiny new faces at the auditions. According to S. Gregson, a friendly email goes a long way.

5. AOB

A. Ralston – wanted to receive blurbs for the all the plays. A. Blundell is going to make sure the directors know, and K. Nesbitt is also going to circulate these blurbs in the email.

K. Nesbitt – wishes the people who are on social duty to have the correct memberising equipment, so if you could pick it up from her at the board meeting on Monday.

E. Burckhardt – wishes to start a STaG prop and costume inventory, so that directors know what STaG has to offer them. It was suggested that this could be looked into, with J. Dyer, to see how such a system might be put in place.

Minutes: 8th February 2010

STaG Board Meeting

8^th February 2010

In attendance: H. Sloan, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, S. Bradley, K. Nesbitt, T. Mackay, F. Andrew, J. Dyer, A. Ralston, T. Eaton, E. Burckhardt

Apologies: A. Blundell, L. Fenwick

H. Sloan & T. Mackay had a baking crisis.

Agenda

1. Proposals
2. Workshop
3. Ordinary Board Members
4. QMU New Theatre
5. Amnesty International/STaG Event
6. AOB

1. Proposals

Sam Gregson and Cerne Felstead proposed Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who Is Slyvia? for the Studio. This was selected. P. Mannion is to send them feedback and a director’s pack and S. Bradley will be their board rep.

2. Workshop

There was no attendance at/for L. Fenwick’s workshop on Saturday 6^th February. H. Sloan and K. Nesbitt discussed advertising workshops outwith the newsletter. S. Bradley stated that it would good to advertise the monthly events that STaG does throughout the year, with some posters. This might put more people to the Social, Improvised Teatime and PlayGroup. It was agreed that STaG needs to be more of a ‘brand’ on campus. It was suggested that people from the Board should be encouraged to attend these workshops so that ‘newbies’ are not alone.

3. Ordinary Board Members

The Executive Board have been discussing the role of the Ordinary Board Members: T. Eaton, E. Burckhardt and A. Ralston. It was raised that Ordinary Board should be available to the rest of the Board if they require them. T. Eaton and E. Burckhardt are to assist with the Publicity Officer, while A. Ralston will assist K. Nesbitt with sorting through membership lists. It was also discussed that S. Bradley will begin an audience members-only mailing list to boost our publicity.

4. QMU New Theatre

STaG are not being involved in the QMU New Theatre event. K. Nesbitt is going to keep emailing the membership about the opportunity, so that we can assist the QMU in this way. It was suggested that the membership attended the event, but perhaps not.

5. Amnesty International/STaG Event

K. Nesbitt met with Rachel/Sarah/Kate (please someone let me know her name) of Amnesty International about hosting an AI-STaG event to raise money for Amnesty International. It would be an evening of lectures, plays, comedy sketches (?) and other fundraising fun. The date is still not confirmed, but will hopefully be in late April/early May. K. Nesbitt wanted volunteers to help with the set-up of the event, and she is going to encourage the membership to propose short plays for the event.

6. AOB

F. Andrew – wanted to set a date for the STaG Ball. This cannot be confirmed, as yet due to the last slot not being confirmed. F. Andrew and the Ball committee will speak to GUU about general availability in May.

A. Ralston – asked if there was anything needed in the programme for the New Writing Festival. It was suggested that adverts and our monthly events be put in. T. Eaton is chasing out sponsorship money, and will be working on that for next week.

R. Jones – wanted an update with the last G12 slot. H. Sloan stated that the Citizens’ were busy (What a surprise!) and she is sorting out the dates for the Performance Studio with Lee at the G12.

P. Mannion – wished to remind everyone that snack rota is not an excuse to be late, and please be prepared! She meant this is a nice way though

Snack Rota – next week – A. Ralston and A. Blundell.

Minutes: 1st February 2010 (Exec)

STaG Executive Board Meeting

1^st February 2010

In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion.

This is a general summary of discussion points.

1. Links with other Universities – R. Jones stressed his passion for setting up links with other universities, and the Exec agreed. However, there is an acknowledgment of the different system of operations within other universities, as Edinburgh has a full-time theatre, and St. Andrews is a funding body. STaG want to work on these links and try to communicate more with other universities, working on R. Jones’s BAST (British Association of Student Theatre) idea.
2. Directors – There is a concern that STaG needs to formalise the way in which we appoint directors for our productions, and there needs to be a stress on people finding their own director, before they consider proposing. The other option is create a director’s only emailing list. There is a need for more director training as well, possibly with a workshop.
3. Ordinary Board Members – H. Sloan wanted to ensure that the Ord Board Members are having enough responsibility and work to do on the board. They could become assistants to two positions, say Publicity and Membership, and be taught how these positions work and in some sense ‘trained’. This might an idea for next year’s board, and there was a thought that we should be more definite with direction and tasks for the Ord Board Members, to make sure they do not feel left ‘out of the loop.’
4. Handover – The Exec want to ensure that handover happens correctly this year, as many members of the board are in their final year. There should also be a STaG Nights handover, Fringe handover and New Writing Festival handover. There should be reports, folders, documents all handed on to the next board. Hopefully, the STaG Wiki should ease this transition.
5. Membership - It is important still to have new members become involved, and hope that they run for STaG Board.
6. T-Shirts & Hoodies – There was discussion of having new t-shirts printed and sold at Freshers’ Week next week; this is to be agreed upon. The hoodies from last year are still missing. P. Mannion is going to ask ex-President S. Archibald if he has seen them.
7. Devised Slot – As STaG might have three slots in the Performance Studio this term, it was suggested that the third slot became a devised-only slot. P. Mannion will inform the board and ask them of their opinion.
8. Budgeting – S. Gregson wants to have budgeting become more formalised, with breakdown of costs, so STaG can see where its money is being spent.

Minutes: 1st February 2010

STaG Board Meeting

1^st February 2010

In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, K. Nesbitt, T. Mackay, F. Andrew, J. Dyer, A. Ralston, T. Eaton, E. Burckhardt

Also attending: S. Bradley, C. Elcock

Agenda

1. By-election
2. G12 Main-stage Slot
3. SRC Top-Up Grant
4. QMU New Theatre
5. Studio
6. Social
7. Room Bookings
8. AOB

1. By-election

S. Bradley was unanimously elected STaG’s new Publicity Officer, replacing M. J. O’Neill. The board thanks M. J. O’Neill for his work and he will meet with S. Bradley this week to hand-over the position. New Writing Festival publicity will need to be worked on soon, and A. Ralston, R. Jones and A. Blundell are to assist S. Bradley with this. The website was also mentioned as a publicity goal.

2. G12 Main-stage Slot

Due to various complications, STaG has lost its slot in the G12 in May 2010. H. Sloan has met with Lee Scott at the G12 to discuss options. There is a possibility that STaG could use one of the Citizens’ Theatre’s studio spaces, as Lee has a contact there. The other, more likely, options are using the GUU with technical support from Tony Sweeten, or the Performance Studio. L. Fenwick is going to ask the RSAMD about using their Chandler Studio. There is scope to do a festival of plays, a large production or devised work. While in a different venue, this will be a large STaG production, attempting to involve as many people as possible.

H. Sloan has also negotiated times for the next academic year, which will be 8^th – 13^th November 2010, 29^th November – 4^th December 2010 or 6^th – 11^th December 2010, with another slot in April/May.

3. SRC Top-Up Grant

The Executive Board are going to meet with the SRC to discuss funding for the New Writing Festival at the Ramshorn. This is to be arranged.

4. QMU New Theatre

H. Sloan has told Iain Smith at the QMU that STaG could not assist with the most recent slot of A Play, A Pint and A Panini. A. Blundell is talking to the New Writing Festival directors about having them programmed into the New Theatre night in the near future.

5. Studio

A. Blundell has confirmed the studio dates with Minty Donald and these are 16^th – 20^th March 2010 and 3^rd – 8^th May 2010. Proposals are going to happen next week and this will go out in the newsletter this week.

6. Social
The social rota is up on the STaG notice board; please add your name to the list. F. Andrew also wished to announce that the next STaG Theatre Trip is on 3^rd February at the Tron and the play in question is ‘Promises, Promises’ by Douglas Maxwell. He hoped to see everyone there.

7. Room Bookings

J. Dyer wanted to check if there were any problems with the Cecilian Scoiety booking out our room at the weekends. If there are any problems, the Board are to communicate with Esther McMillan about this issue.

8. AOB

M. J. O’Neill – wanted to check about the budget for the New Writing Festival. There is still no exact amount as yet, but it was agreed it should accommodate for ‘colourful’ posters.

A. Blundell – is contacting Susan at the Ramshorn to sort out the contract; hopefully, this will be sorted by the end of the week.

L. Fenwick – asked T. Mackay if she had book a room, and she is still waiting.

A. Blundell – wants to have a pub quiz fundraiser for the New Writing Festival launch. It was suggested that T. Eaton ‘gets into the action’; this is to be arranged.

Minutes: 25th January 2010

STaG Board Meeting

25^th January 2010

In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, E. Burckhardt, K. Nesbitt, T. Mackay, F. Andrew, A. Ralston, T. Eaton.

Apologies: J. Dyer, S. Gregson

Late: L. Fenwick

Agenda

1. By-election
2. SRC Top-Up Grant
3. QMU Theatre Night
4. Studio
5. Workshop Fridays
6. AOB

1. By-election

It was acknowledged that the great M. J. O’Neill shall be departing from the STaG Board, and a by-election will be held next week (1st February 2010). Next week will also be an open board meeting, so the general membership will be allowed to vote and express their opinion. M. J. O’Neill reminded all that if anyone was interested that they could come and speak to him about the role of Publicity Officer. H. Sloan also noted that current Board members could stand for election, which will lead to another by-election.

2. SRC Top Up Grant

The SRC has contacted us, saying that we should attend an event to discuss the money they will be awarding for the New Writing Festival. P. Mannion and R. Jones will attend the funding ‘event’ at 1 – 2pm on Tuesday 26^th Feb 2010. If anyone else would like to attend other events, please feel free to do so.

3. QMU Theatre

As their next theatre slot has dropped out/delayed, the QMU has approached us to attempt to fill the slot. It was suggested that we approach STaG Nights directors, or No Wasted Education (again). A. Blundell is emailing the current New Festival writers to organise if they wish to perform at the QMU at later dates. It is likely that the slot may go unfilled at the QMU, as STaG has no plays rehearsing at the moment.

4. Studio

A. Blundell has spoken to Minty at the Theatre Studies Dept. but there has still been no confirmation of dates for the Studio. A. Blundell also will speak with Lee at the G12 to arrange janitorial cover.

5. Workshop Fridays

Improvised Teatime is progressing and happening, reports F. Andrew. This will take place on Friday 29^th Jan and Fri 5^th Feb at 5 – 7pm in the STaG Room. PlayGroup has had no attendance this month, but A. Blundell is hoping that it will pick up. There will hopefully soon be a voice workshop and a workshop on workshops in the coming month. E. Burckhardt is coordinating.

6. AOB

M. J. O’Neill – wished to know the budget for the New Writing Festival, but as S. Gregson was not in attendance, this will be sorted out electronically.

A. Blundell – stated that STaG had received £200 in the form of an Arts Faculty Grant for the New Writing Festival.

H. Sloan – wanted to know about the contract with the Ramshorn Theatre; this is still to be arranged.

F. Andrew – there is a sign-up sheet for Social Rota on the STaG notice board. If your name does not appear at least twice, you are a bad person and F. Andrew will assign you days.

SNACK ROTA is R. Jones and S. Gregson

And let it be noted that Lizzie smashed some glasses, but we still like her anyway.