Minutes: 14th January 2013

Minutes of STaG Board Meeting, 14th January 2013
The STaG Room, 62 Oakfield Avenue, 5:40-6.20pm

In attendance were H. Allan, A. Cameron, J. Cameron, A. Ciupka, N. Donald, W. Foote, M. Godden, C. Goldstone, S. Gow, S. Linsley, A. McCallum, A. Rutherford, R. Tildesley, Z. Williams
Apologies from D. Hahn


Pending actions from previous Minutes:
Mabs - fundraiser slots
Rob - SRC grant
Nogs - typo (IdeasTap)



Agenda

1. TOTS
2. NSDF
3. Inver
4. NW
5. Venues
6. Inter-Uni
7. Improv
8. Publicity
9. Socials
10. AOB

1.  Taming of the Shrew

1. Auditions went well - some applicants are coming back tomorrow.  The cast will be decided by Wednesday.  The director has been great so far.  Today there were about 20 entries, and there's another full day tomorrow.
2. Character rewriting - Katherine is now to be androgynous; there are changes from multi-role to single-role, and the servants are to be female.
3. Production Team - a well-qualified SM who applied for NW has been recommended to go to MS2.  There has been interest about various backstage roles; by Friday a decision will be made.  Z. Williams is to send a reminder email [ACTION: Zoë].
4. Venue - Cottiers is not answering the 'phone.   Partick Burgh Hall is expensive and we can't use our own Tech team.  Tramway proved difficult regarding correspondence as they appeared to have had no memory of our booking.  Kings is not doable, the Citz studio is small, in which case we may as well use The S.P.A.C.E., which charges by performance.  M. Godden will contact L. Gasson about ideas and book The S.P.A.C.E. this week if nothing else arises.
5. Fundraiser person role - someone emailed about Pub/Tech - hopefully this will interest them.
6. Max budget for venues - currently it is anything that we can get!  The Mitchell Library was interested in doing a deal in the past, which was still £2000 - the question is whether we break even/not lose too much, but it is a possibility.  M. Godden and R. Tildesley will talk it over [ACTION: Mabs & Rob].

2.  NSDF

1. D. di Rollo would like the blurb to be changed on the website, preferring that used for SN, which he should send to H. Allan and A. Rutherford.  [ACTION: Dom/Aidan].
2. The title is now 'General Horseplay'.
3. Shoot - there was some confusion about the photographer and communication, resulting in it being cancelled.
4. Performance - still nothing has been heard about the date when NSDF are coming.
5. Venue - is booked and a cheque is needed for Stereo [ACTION: Rob].

3.  Investigation

1. Auditions - went well and the play is fully cast.  Today is the second day of rehearsals, and the BR A. Cameron is attending on Sunday.
2. Venue visit with the cast is also scheduled for Sunday.
3. Tech talk needed.  A. McCallum will help with sound; we need to talk with the film guy, Dave, about the filming on the weekend after the 26th.  Sound recording can be left as late as possible.

4.  New Works

1. Two plays have been cast, and the fourth finally has a director.  The volume of replies was impressive, but the director chosen was recommended by the writer and wrote a good application. 
2. A calendar and similar details have been sent to all sides of the production. 
3. Scratch Night - the Committee is meeting to organise this, and to put together ideas for raising money.
4. Only one rehearsal schedule has been received so far. 
5. Publicity - the poster idea is currently being explored.
6. SM - a few issues have arisen but all is now organised: Z. Williams is SM for Jack and Will's, Naomi for John May's, Darren for the Swan play and Adam for the other.  
7. Fundraisers - to be included in the newsletter and events to be made on Facebook [ACTION: Catherine].  The Scratch Night is to be publicised this week and the Chinese Fundraiser next week.

5.   Venues
MainStage booking - in the past, the 'old' Board booked dates in advance for the next year, which meant more often managing to secure decent venues at decent times, as opposed to our current situation of M. Godden running around like mad and everything falling into place in the nick of time, as everywhere is booked out.  It was suggested we start this procedure again.  Some places need a deposit, but the funds are all STaG's so will be made up the following year, and if part of the brief, directors have less choice perhaps but know what to expect.  If it is a grand or exciting venue, this very fact will attract people to use it more, and there is no reason why - if booking far enough in advance - The Kings, The CCA and The Tron are not feasible.  Probably for more reasonable prices than what we're paying now, Techies and actors also would get more professional experiences in the world which they are aspiring to enter.  This was agreed by vote; at the next meeting, next year's calendar will be arranged [ACTION: Agenda].

6.  InterUni
Still nothing has been heard back; A. Rutherford will send another email [ACTION: Aidan].

7.  Improv Teatime
Performance - to happen this semester, with the possibility of two as a LongForm Lunchtime event is being considered.  R. Tildesley will talk with the rest of the committee about dates [ACTION: Rob].  One Longform session has already taken place this semester, with the first normal meeting happening tomorrow.

8.  Publicity

1. Inv - poster is in process; T. Troes has got lots of ideas and knows the deadlines.
2. NW - poster in process and again the deadlines have been laid out.  
3. NSDF - this may need to be addressed.
4. MS2 - S. Linsley will talk about ideas with the director [ACTION: Sinead].
5. GUST - STaG Mockumentary idea went down well.  They are happy to promote the society, but the footage would not be about 'see the shows!'; A. Rutherford is to be present at the next meeting [ACTION: Aidan].  It could be shown during next year's Freshers' Week.  'Day in the Life of a Show' is a possibility, and Jack and Will were put forward; it should be funny, light-hearted and joyful.
6. Reviews - S. Linsley will start to get in touch with people about upcoming shows [ACTION: Sinead].  This can be done now, or it may be better to wait until the images for a press pack are received; maybe it is best to start making contact now and then sending a press pack.

9.  Socials

1. February - three simple ideas are a Board Game night, a Pub Quiz or just a plain Social.
2. Theatre Trips - the possibilities are 'My Name is Rachel Corrie' (5-9 February, Tron), 'Taking Over the Asylum (Citz; "hilarious and moving"), or 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' (Kings).  The consensus was to see 'Rachel Corrie' on the 8th February, and try to link up with First Year theatre students to involve them in STaG and book through the society.  A trip into a bar in town should also be organised.  S. Linsley will email the Theatre secretary and S. Gow will post on the First Year Facebook page, and an email will be sent to The Tron about discounts [ACTION: Sinead, Sophie & Aidan/Will (?)].

10.  AOB

1. Web - sometimes those involved in shows make their own Facebook events, etc., and end up not getting the full sharing capacity through STaG resources.  Board members should remind any STaG members that this is best left to those with access to the STaG pages [ACTION: All].
2. Directors - a meeting was held with L. Gasson about the Board's role. 
3. Auditions Tomorrow - A. Cameron volunteered to cover for M. Godden [ACTION: Amy].
4. Cheques - any which are still needed must go in before the end of the week, before the signatories change [ACTION: All].

The date of the next meeting is Monday the 21st January at 5:30pm in The STaG Room.

Meeting adjourned.