Minutes: Monday 19th September 2011
In Attendance: C. Felstead, S. Gregson, L. Monkman, T. Pennock, E. Igelström, I. McArthur, A. Rutherford, C. Goldstone, D. Di Rollo, H. Allan, D. Keenan, L. Taylor, G. Bennett-Lurie
Agenda
1) New Talent
2) Much Ado
3) STaG Nights
4) Studio Slots
5) New Works
6) Stroke Association/ Arriva
7) Website
8) Theatre Trip Socials
9) Board Trip
10) AOB
1) New Talent
Auditions went well and lots of people turned up. They seemed happy with having a panel of 5 people to audition to. Casts have been emailed to directors and workshops will be held to determine parts. There will be a budget meeting at 2pm on Tuesday in the STaG room. A. Rutherford is thinking about tech possibilities and L. Taylor will get the dimmer rack by the 1st October. C. Felstead suggested another social for the casts which will be held on either the 30th September or the 2nd October in Coopers from 7.30pm. An after show party could be held at A. Rutherford’s flat but this is to be confirmed. E. Igelström will start memberising the casts as soon as possible. Publicity plans are mainly to poster unions and halls however the possibility of a mention on a radio show was also discussed. A Facebook event will be made closer to the time.
2) Much Ado
The venue has been booked from the 28th November – 3rd December and the shows will be on from Wednesday to Saturday. There are approximately 50 seats but this could be increased. L. Taylor will find out all the information about the box office and the advertising of the show on the space’s website. The total cost will be about £900. We are able to determine our own ticket prices for the show. We will try to get as much publicity and reviews as possible before the show starts. I. McArthur is writing a press release and a photoshoot will be held as soon as possible after casting for publicity photos. A budget meeting is being planned.
3) STaG Nights
L. Monkman has had a few responses so far regarding joining the committee. She is going to show the film Belleville Rendez-Vous on Thursday in the STaG room and then base discussion for the festival around it. There is a visit to the Flying Duck on the 28th September between 5pm and 7pm. L. Monkman is also applying for grants/funding for the shows.
4) Studio Slots
The STaG room as a theatre space was discussed and it was suggested a proposal deadline should be set for people to perform something. It will be like a full studio slot and will be a relatively small scale production due to the size of the STaG room. A vote was taken and the majority voted in favour of this. The deadline has been set at 14th October and the performance dates will be the 9th and 10th November. L. Taylor is writing the blurb for the newsletter.
5) New Works
L. Taylor will book The Space as the venue and provisional dates were set. The proposal deadline was suggested as being the 6th January and people will be informed by the 11th/12th January as to their success. The show week will be the 15th-18th February.
6) Stroke Association/ Arriva
The board is in favour of doing the Spooky stewarding. It will be advertised in the newsletter to gauge interest and after this H. Allan will organise meetings etc.
Arriva now want us to perform a small scale panto on a bus. The board wasn’t in favour of this as it is extremely different to the original idea that was suggested to us.
7) Website
Deadline for finished site is the 3rd October.
8) Theatre Trip Socials
C. Felstead will suggest a trip to see Kes to D. Keenan
9) Board Trip
Prices are expensive for anywhere more interesting than Stirling. C. Felstead will investigate the rules for the SRC bus test. A date change to the 4th November was suggested.
10) AOB
O’Couture has been suggested as a possible space. S. Gregson will go and look at it.
Freshers p/m will be next week.
QMU/SRC affiliation is being completed this week.
Mark Westbrook offered a free ‘masterclass’ to STaG which we may look into.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Minutes Monday 12th September 2011
Minutes: Monday 12th September 2011
In Attendance: C. Felstead, S. Gregson, L. Monkman, T. Pennock, E. Igelström, I. McArthur, A. Rutherford, C. Goldstone, D. Di Rollo, H. Allan, D. Keenan,
Apologies: L. Taylor, G. Bennett-Lurie
Agenda
1) Freshers’ Week
2) Much Ado
3) Website
4) Play Reading/Writing Group
5) New Talent Nights
6) Snack Rota
7) STaG Nights
8) Newsletter
9) Board Trip
10) AOB
1) Freshers’ Week
The stall (number 67 in Bute Hall) will be decorated at 9am by C. Felstead and D. Keenan, T. Pennock will bring the money box at 9.30am. It will be a very orange stall with bunting, posters, reviews and a banner. D. Keenan has made a rota for the board to be on the stall which he read out to the board. The process for memberising was discussed and the board decided to have people fill out their name, matric number and email address on a sheet of paper and the stall helpers will make the cards up for them. A separate sheet for the mailing list will also be available. C. Felstead stressed the importance of being happy and helpful for the freshers.
I. McArthur will email Simon Murray about speaking to freshers after their introductory lecture.
2) Much Ado
So far the board feels they may use the studio L. Taylor works at for the venue – it has a capacity of 50 people so the show will run over 4 nights as it is Shakespeare and so likely to be popular. It will cost approximately £150 per night including the get in days. Publicity plans have started and a designer for the poster will be advertised for in the newsletter. The auditions will be on the 25th and 26th September in the GU.
3) Website
Put on hold for freshers, work will continue afterwards.
4) Play reading/writing Group
Good response so far. It will be advertised in the newsletter. It will probably be on a Tuesday. C. Felstead will keep in touch with the organizers to check progress.
5) NTN
Blurb in newsletter about having old STaG members in the shows too however the importance of new members getting larger roles will also be emphasised.
6) Snack Rota
H. Allan will make and email out a rota for semester 1 as soon as possible.
7) STaG Nights
C. Felstead expressed her shock at how close it was. The proposal deadline is the 5th October and the first proposal has been received already. L. Monkman will set a date for writers and tech to visit the Flying Duck. The budget meeting will be held on the 13th at 5pm in the STaG room.
8) Newsletter
1st year board reps will be advertised for however they will not be picked until after NTN. The deadline to apply is the 15th October. Aidan will write the advert.
9) Board Trip
Perhaps the weekend of the 28th October? G. Bennet-Lurie was chosen to look into it (because she wasn’t there to object).
10) AOB
I. McArthur has looked into various grants to assist in turning the STaG room into a studio space. She is still doing this as the Creative Scotland grant system is quite complex.
D. Di Rollo is looking for contacts within high schools to put on workshops as part of community theatre projects.
In Attendance: C. Felstead, S. Gregson, L. Monkman, T. Pennock, E. Igelström, I. McArthur, A. Rutherford, C. Goldstone, D. Di Rollo, H. Allan, D. Keenan,
Apologies: L. Taylor, G. Bennett-Lurie
Agenda
1) Freshers’ Week
2) Much Ado
3) Website
4) Play Reading/Writing Group
5) New Talent Nights
6) Snack Rota
7) STaG Nights
8) Newsletter
9) Board Trip
10) AOB
1) Freshers’ Week
The stall (number 67 in Bute Hall) will be decorated at 9am by C. Felstead and D. Keenan, T. Pennock will bring the money box at 9.30am. It will be a very orange stall with bunting, posters, reviews and a banner. D. Keenan has made a rota for the board to be on the stall which he read out to the board. The process for memberising was discussed and the board decided to have people fill out their name, matric number and email address on a sheet of paper and the stall helpers will make the cards up for them. A separate sheet for the mailing list will also be available. C. Felstead stressed the importance of being happy and helpful for the freshers.
I. McArthur will email Simon Murray about speaking to freshers after their introductory lecture.
2) Much Ado
So far the board feels they may use the studio L. Taylor works at for the venue – it has a capacity of 50 people so the show will run over 4 nights as it is Shakespeare and so likely to be popular. It will cost approximately £150 per night including the get in days. Publicity plans have started and a designer for the poster will be advertised for in the newsletter. The auditions will be on the 25th and 26th September in the GU.
3) Website
Put on hold for freshers, work will continue afterwards.
4) Play reading/writing Group
Good response so far. It will be advertised in the newsletter. It will probably be on a Tuesday. C. Felstead will keep in touch with the organizers to check progress.
5) NTN
Blurb in newsletter about having old STaG members in the shows too however the importance of new members getting larger roles will also be emphasised.
6) Snack Rota
H. Allan will make and email out a rota for semester 1 as soon as possible.
7) STaG Nights
C. Felstead expressed her shock at how close it was. The proposal deadline is the 5th October and the first proposal has been received already. L. Monkman will set a date for writers and tech to visit the Flying Duck. The budget meeting will be held on the 13th at 5pm in the STaG room.
8) Newsletter
1st year board reps will be advertised for however they will not be picked until after NTN. The deadline to apply is the 15th October. Aidan will write the advert.
9) Board Trip
Perhaps the weekend of the 28th October? G. Bennet-Lurie was chosen to look into it (because she wasn’t there to object).
10) AOB
I. McArthur has looked into various grants to assist in turning the STaG room into a studio space. She is still doing this as the Creative Scotland grant system is quite complex.
D. Di Rollo is looking for contacts within high schools to put on workshops as part of community theatre projects.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Minutes 29th August 2011
Minutes: Monday 29th August 2011
In Attendance: C. Felstead, S. Gregson, L. Taylor, L. Monkman, T. Pennock, E. Igelström, I. McArthur
Apologies: Aidan Rutherford, Catherine Goldstone, Dominic Di Rollo, Harriet Allan, Donal Keenan, Gillian Bennett-Lurie
Agenda
1) A Stone’s Throw Budget
2) Freshers’ Week
3) New Talent Nights
4) Mark Wstbrook Workshops
5) STaG Room clear-up
6) Website
7) G12 and Venues
8) AOB
1) A Stone’s Throw Budget
The Fringe show ‘A Stone’s Throw’, the post mortem of which will be held next week (5th September 2011), overall was a successful production. However overspending was deemed to be a failure of the show which needs to be addressed in order to make sure that future productions do not repeat this issue.
Overspending on production was due to a lack of overseeing of cash flow. A budget of £150 for set, props and costumes was decided on and agreed by directors, financial secretary and production managers at the production’s financial meeting. By the end of the production £480 had been spent on set, props and costumes. This overspending was unintentional however still a significant amount over the original allocated for the production.
Firstly, discussion on how and whether to recover costs was discussed. One solution that was considered was that those involved in the production should recover at least some of the costs. However after some discussion it was decided that STaG would take the hit as the board unanimously felt that passing on these costs would be too harsh especially considering the fact that it would be students and recent graduates who would have to pay as well as those who were oblivious to the original budget.
Next, the board discussed how to reduce the chances of this incident happening in the future. The following ideas were suggested: Emphasis from the financial secretary on the consequences of overspending and on fundraising money; treating old members of STaG as new members to ensure no assumptions on their knowledge of STaG specific budgeting are made; making sure that everyone involved in the production is aware of the budget allocated to the show.
It was decided that T. Pennock would send an email to the directors letting them know: of the decision on STaG recovering costs; to make them aware of the regret of the board that this overspending had happened; and to clarify the financial decisions and cash
flow throughout the production to prepare for discussions at the post mortem where finance is almost inevitably going to come up.
2) Freshers’ Week
Events and scheduling for the coming freshers’ week were discussed.
It was decided that no events for freshers should be held on the Monday of freshers’ week as not enough notice and advertising would be possible to make numbers large enough.
Two workshops will take place; one in the QMU run by S. Gregson and I. McArthur introducing freshers to the society with games, warm-ups and script readings and one in the GUU run by T. Pennock and E. Igelstrom on improv. Times and dates for both venues would need to be confirmed.
During the week a BBQ will take place outside the STaG room where food will be free and drinks will be sold in the STaG room. The BBQ should be at a suitable time to allow a natural flow into the night.
A scratch night will be held in the STaG room with L. Taylor to seek people for the line-up. S. Gregson suggested that the line-up be light hearted and fun.
STaG will have a stall at the freshers fair on Tuesday and Wednesday with a rota yet to be set for board members to man/woman the stall. Board members were chosen as they would more likely be in a better position to explain the ins and outs of STaG.
It was decided that the board would also best be suited to set the agenda/ events for freshers’ week with freshers’ helpers providing help to STaG and freshers and acting as friendly faces around campus.
A social for freshers’ helpers on Sunday 11th September was decided on to let people mingle before embarking on the mental week ahead. A short chat about the week and what to do would also be provided along with a written blurb on the society so that all helpers can be fully informed. This blurb could be written by D. Keenan.
Flyers are still needed for freshers’ week the design was discussed with L. Monkman coming up with the origami format and I. McArthur writing the flyer.
Membership cards are to be brought back and handed out on signing up along with a STaG badge as ordered by C. Felstead. The membership cards should include an expiry date, name and member no.
Shifty bear is to make an appearance with potentially a hunter tracking him down throughout the day, a wanted sign would mention no rewards but a small reward for taking a snap shot of the bear would be given.
Auditions for New Talent Nights will be held on either Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th September in the STaG room with C. Felstead to check suitability of directors.
Things still to be done include: Stocking the bar and T-Shirt printing. Friday 1pm in the STaG room was allocated for T-Shirt printing. No names for the T-shirts was decided upon as this may come across as cliquey and a lot more effort would be required.
To keep freshers interested and around it weas decided that the week following freshers’ week should include a freshers social.
A budget of £150 will be allocated for freshers’ week.
A note to the mature students should be written by C. Felstead explaining the timetable for upcoming events to give them some notice of potential disruption.
3) New Talent Nights
C. Felstead has emailed information to all the directors of NTNs which will be held on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th September in the GUU debates chamber. Auditions will be held on either Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th September in the STaG room with C. Felstead to check suitability of directors. It is important that STaG board members are present to hang about and make sure that everyone is comfortable at the auditions. L. Monkman and I McArthur are to be the two board members to audition freshers.
I. McArthur informed the board that she was struggling to find designers for the NTN poster.
4) Mark Wstbrook Workshops
Mark Westbrook has approached STaG with interest to provide his workshops to STaG members at a reduced price from£125 to £85. The Board have asked Mark Westbrook to reduce his offer of £85 for 8 sessions to £75 with the idea of STaG reducing it further to £55 by subsidising the workshops.
The board voted in favour of the workshops.
5) STaG Room clear-up
All belongings have been asked to be picked up by Wednesday 31st August to allow for a clear-up on Wednesday 7th September. Everyone is encouraged to bring nibbles, smiles and black bin bags. L. Taylor will bring her car to allow items to be taken to the tip. An IKEA trip was arranged for Tuesday 5th September.
6) Website
A quick update on the website was requested. The website is progressing smoothly and is due to be completed before freshers week begins.
7) G12 and Venues
S. Gregson has contacted the theatre department with regards to the James Arnott Theatre. The department are reluctant to allow STaG any use of the theatre in the first semester and very little in the second. A few emails have been sent to Anselm the head of department and the board are awaiting a reply. Some time will be given to allow a reply. Further discussion on ideas for how to take the matter of the theatre further if no progress is made with the theatre department, these include: asking for support from the SRC; getting the various student media groups involved; asking for advice from Charles Kennedy with regards to taking the issue up with the university; starting a petition and campaign.
A visit to the Argyle studio was arranged. The Argyle theatre is a possible venue for STaG’s first mainstage with an estimated capacity of 60-70 and banked seating.
8) AOB None.
In Attendance: C. Felstead, S. Gregson, L. Taylor, L. Monkman, T. Pennock, E. Igelström, I. McArthur
Apologies: Aidan Rutherford, Catherine Goldstone, Dominic Di Rollo, Harriet Allan, Donal Keenan, Gillian Bennett-Lurie
Agenda
1) A Stone’s Throw Budget
2) Freshers’ Week
3) New Talent Nights
4) Mark Wstbrook Workshops
5) STaG Room clear-up
6) Website
7) G12 and Venues
8) AOB
1) A Stone’s Throw Budget
The Fringe show ‘A Stone’s Throw’, the post mortem of which will be held next week (5th September 2011), overall was a successful production. However overspending was deemed to be a failure of the show which needs to be addressed in order to make sure that future productions do not repeat this issue.
Overspending on production was due to a lack of overseeing of cash flow. A budget of £150 for set, props and costumes was decided on and agreed by directors, financial secretary and production managers at the production’s financial meeting. By the end of the production £480 had been spent on set, props and costumes. This overspending was unintentional however still a significant amount over the original allocated for the production.
Firstly, discussion on how and whether to recover costs was discussed. One solution that was considered was that those involved in the production should recover at least some of the costs. However after some discussion it was decided that STaG would take the hit as the board unanimously felt that passing on these costs would be too harsh especially considering the fact that it would be students and recent graduates who would have to pay as well as those who were oblivious to the original budget.
Next, the board discussed how to reduce the chances of this incident happening in the future. The following ideas were suggested: Emphasis from the financial secretary on the consequences of overspending and on fundraising money; treating old members of STaG as new members to ensure no assumptions on their knowledge of STaG specific budgeting are made; making sure that everyone involved in the production is aware of the budget allocated to the show.
It was decided that T. Pennock would send an email to the directors letting them know: of the decision on STaG recovering costs; to make them aware of the regret of the board that this overspending had happened; and to clarify the financial decisions and cash
flow throughout the production to prepare for discussions at the post mortem where finance is almost inevitably going to come up.
2) Freshers’ Week
Events and scheduling for the coming freshers’ week were discussed.
It was decided that no events for freshers should be held on the Monday of freshers’ week as not enough notice and advertising would be possible to make numbers large enough.
Two workshops will take place; one in the QMU run by S. Gregson and I. McArthur introducing freshers to the society with games, warm-ups and script readings and one in the GUU run by T. Pennock and E. Igelstrom on improv. Times and dates for both venues would need to be confirmed.
During the week a BBQ will take place outside the STaG room where food will be free and drinks will be sold in the STaG room. The BBQ should be at a suitable time to allow a natural flow into the night.
A scratch night will be held in the STaG room with L. Taylor to seek people for the line-up. S. Gregson suggested that the line-up be light hearted and fun.
STaG will have a stall at the freshers fair on Tuesday and Wednesday with a rota yet to be set for board members to man/woman the stall. Board members were chosen as they would more likely be in a better position to explain the ins and outs of STaG.
It was decided that the board would also best be suited to set the agenda/ events for freshers’ week with freshers’ helpers providing help to STaG and freshers and acting as friendly faces around campus.
A social for freshers’ helpers on Sunday 11th September was decided on to let people mingle before embarking on the mental week ahead. A short chat about the week and what to do would also be provided along with a written blurb on the society so that all helpers can be fully informed. This blurb could be written by D. Keenan.
Flyers are still needed for freshers’ week the design was discussed with L. Monkman coming up with the origami format and I. McArthur writing the flyer.
Membership cards are to be brought back and handed out on signing up along with a STaG badge as ordered by C. Felstead. The membership cards should include an expiry date, name and member no.
Shifty bear is to make an appearance with potentially a hunter tracking him down throughout the day, a wanted sign would mention no rewards but a small reward for taking a snap shot of the bear would be given.
Auditions for New Talent Nights will be held on either Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th September in the STaG room with C. Felstead to check suitability of directors.
Things still to be done include: Stocking the bar and T-Shirt printing. Friday 1pm in the STaG room was allocated for T-Shirt printing. No names for the T-shirts was decided upon as this may come across as cliquey and a lot more effort would be required.
To keep freshers interested and around it weas decided that the week following freshers’ week should include a freshers social.
A budget of £150 will be allocated for freshers’ week.
A note to the mature students should be written by C. Felstead explaining the timetable for upcoming events to give them some notice of potential disruption.
3) New Talent Nights
C. Felstead has emailed information to all the directors of NTNs which will be held on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th September in the GUU debates chamber. Auditions will be held on either Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th September in the STaG room with C. Felstead to check suitability of directors. It is important that STaG board members are present to hang about and make sure that everyone is comfortable at the auditions. L. Monkman and I McArthur are to be the two board members to audition freshers.
I. McArthur informed the board that she was struggling to find designers for the NTN poster.
4) Mark Wstbrook Workshops
Mark Westbrook has approached STaG with interest to provide his workshops to STaG members at a reduced price from£125 to £85. The Board have asked Mark Westbrook to reduce his offer of £85 for 8 sessions to £75 with the idea of STaG reducing it further to £55 by subsidising the workshops.
The board voted in favour of the workshops.
5) STaG Room clear-up
All belongings have been asked to be picked up by Wednesday 31st August to allow for a clear-up on Wednesday 7th September. Everyone is encouraged to bring nibbles, smiles and black bin bags. L. Taylor will bring her car to allow items to be taken to the tip. An IKEA trip was arranged for Tuesday 5th September.
6) Website
A quick update on the website was requested. The website is progressing smoothly and is due to be completed before freshers week begins.
7) G12 and Venues
S. Gregson has contacted the theatre department with regards to the James Arnott Theatre. The department are reluctant to allow STaG any use of the theatre in the first semester and very little in the second. A few emails have been sent to Anselm the head of department and the board are awaiting a reply. Some time will be given to allow a reply. Further discussion on ideas for how to take the matter of the theatre further if no progress is made with the theatre department, these include: asking for support from the SRC; getting the various student media groups involved; asking for advice from Charles Kennedy with regards to taking the issue up with the university; starting a petition and campaign.
A visit to the Argyle studio was arranged. The Argyle theatre is a possible venue for STaG’s first mainstage with an estimated capacity of 60-70 and banked seating.
8) AOB None.
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