November 13 2013

We are in the midst of rehearsals for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Fox on the Fairway, the Youth Comedy Improv Group HA, and a Murder for Hire Troupe shows booked by local businesses as Christmas Parties, and Story Theatre's The Ugly Duckling is out on tour.  Space is at a premium doing double duty on all fronts.  In addition play selection is meeting to select the shows for the 51st Season and several board committees are hard at work looking at ways to help us with facilities and space needs.

Last night after rehearsal for Fox on the Fairway I spent time uploading data from the current year to the American Association of Community Theatre's web portal to prepare for the Bi-Annual Managing Directors Conference held in Madison Wisconsin November 23-26.  Every two years about 70-100 Managing Directors, Executive Directors, and Business Managers all converge on Madison to share what succeeded and what failed over the past couple of years with other Community Theaters.  It is always a trip that is well worth it and many of the policies and practices that are in place at MHT are a result of things gleaned from this conference.  In the early days it was a group of about 10-20 directors who met around a couple of tables.  During the ten years that April was the Executive Director of MHT from 1986- 1996 she would attend the conference.  I began going 18 years ago  when I took over as the Executive Director and have only missed once due to a production conflict.

It is amazing to see the changes that have happened at MHT even in the past two years!  We are bursting at the seams with more productions and classes.  In addition the 50th Anniversary Celebration this year has added even more events and a few more celebration events are still in the planning for the spring.

To Kill a Mockingbird closed on Sunday November 10 with a very successful box office run.  With the added school matinee performance to the regular performances over 2,000 people attended the production.  The final weekend playing to sold out houses.

I am spending every spare moment working on several projects.  One of my favorites is taking time to write Thanksgiving notes to all the donors who have supported MHT over the past year.  The stack seems to get bigger every year!  So don't be surprised if you see me walking on the street between buildings shaking my hand to get the feeling back in it.  It's a good problem to have!