Genesius Theatre
A Note From Our Artistic Director
Dear Genesius Friends,
As you may have heard the Board of Directors has graciously asked me fill the position of Artistic Producer of Genesius for 2012. We have picked an excellent and diverse season of productions that will allow us to have both artistic and financial success. I have a commitment from the Board that production values and sufficient budgets to present these shows properly will be planned. A stronger bent towards fundraising is also at hand. The Board has brought in at least 3 show sponsors for certain shows (and still looking for more) and our Guardian Angels, Sandy Solmon & Doug Messinger from Sweet Street, committed a large sum to be our 2012 Season Sponsor. For the first time ever, I think, the entire season of Royalties is paid up in full!!! Thank You So Much Sandy and Doug!!!
I am very excited about taking on this challenge for the place I call home… but, I have to say, that I hold this excitement with a great deal of trepidation. I have only been back around Genesius for about a month and I have to say that I am truly concerned about moving forward. As I see it, the 2012 Season, can go two ways… We can either raise the bar and the roof off the theater theatrically and locally, both artistically and financially… or it’s going to die a natural death. IT’S UP TO YOU… None of this can be accomplished by only the Board of Directors, me and a devoted few (and you know who you are)…
If you want to see Genesius take it beyond the rafters and then EVERYONE must get real committed and committed NOW!!! What does that mean? It means this…
1. We need you to come out for the shows… We need for you to not always demand the role you want or even the LEAD role… It means that some of our LEADING TALENT has to bite the bullet and maybe take a lesser role or be in the chorus to make the shows swing off the charts… so we can bring back the audience and eventually do a great deal more! We have sent out a ton of request for auditions in early January for Man of La Mancha and Miss Saigon and to date we received about ONLY 10 appointments and most people are only interested in Lead Roles… I don’t, and we don’t, have time to BEG YOU to take part in shows. If you don’t want big shows like this at Genesius… we can easily change the season and just do tiny comedies and very small musicals. You are the membership of Genesius… Make up our minds.
2. We need you to get involved in the theater in other ways. We need you to respond and come to theater clean-ups. We need you to join a department other than ACTING. We need people to be on one of several committees/departments… Costumes, Props, Sound/Lights, General Maintenance, Set Construction, Front of House, Outside Performances, Marketing, Fundraising, etc… etc… etc… We need you to let go of your apathy.
3. Regular attendance at Membership Meetings… You pay a membership fee. Come and have your voice heard and hear what’s going on!!!
Our goal is that at some time we can just allow actors to be actors and have them be able do a bit less in regard to the maintenance and tech of theater. THAT TIME HAS NOT ARRIVED! It will take your huge commitment for US to get there! If everyone joins a committee and takes ownership with several others doing the same, nobody’s life will be interrupted… that much, and the theater’s ability to grow will be increased a thousand fold!
I say this with great respect to all of you. This huge task and undertaking will not get off square one if you DON’T GET INVOLVED AND GET INVOLVED IN A LARGE COMMITTED WAY. I know for myself that I have given this ONE YEAR to be turned around. We cannot feel that we are begging people to take on jobs and pushing and pulling every which way to accomplish that… constantly cajoling people to swallow their pride and take lesser roles… and feeling as if Genesius is beholden to you for it.
You either want to see Genesius really succeed beyond our wildest dreams or you want more of the same. It’s up to you and the ball is really in your court. The Board and I are only able to do so much. You must ALL must take up the rest of the slack.
I hope that you choose to really get involved and stop making excuses for why Genesius is where it’s at. It’s where it’s at because many have decided to complain, blame and do little else. I was one of those people and so I understand your frustration, but I also know that you have to put up or shut up. I am not trying to offend, but honestly folks if you are unwilling to follow the recipe outlined above, I fear (and God how I hate that word) I fear that, Genesius’ days (as well as other local theater companies) days are numbered.
DO YOU REALLY WANT THAT TO HAPPEN?
Thanks for hearing me and I hope… sincerely… you will decide to TAKE THE HIGH ROAD!!!
Best Wishes to All of You… Happy Holidays… Cheers to an incredibly exciting, prosperous and an abundant NEW YEAR for GENESIUS!!! A year that has YOU all over it!!!
Larry
Membership Matters Newsletters
July 2011 Membership Matters Newsletter
May 2011 Membership Matters Newsletter
March 2011 Membership Matters Newsletter
December 2010 Membership Matters Newsletter
November 2010 Membership Matters Newsletter
Get A Name Plaque Now!
Do it for yourself or honor someone else, or get a group or former cast together. Either way, it’s first come, first serve. Purchasers will be assigned a number in a queue, in the order that their money is received by the theatre. When the new seating layout is in place, seat sponsors will pick their seats in that order.
More info here: http://genesiustheatre.org/seat-naming-campaign/
Be an usher at a show!
Message from the House Manager: As we all know, it is very important for every Genesius Member to get involved at the theatre, after all, Membership Matters. And it does.
There are so many needs and so many ways to help out. One of the easiest ways to get involved is to volunteer to be an usher at one of our many performances.
As an usher, you are required to be at the show an hour and a half prior to curtain to help with cleaning the theatre to make sure it is ready for our patrons. Typical tasks include emptying waste baskets, replenishing supplies in bathrooms, vacuuming the lobby, picking up candy wrappers from the seating area, folding programs and setting up concessions. For this hour and a half investment ‐ you will be able to watch the show for free!
For each show, an email is sent out to people asking if they are interested in ushering. You may reply to the email or sign up on a spreadsheet via a link that is provided. And, please look for notes regarding required attire. We are trying to ‘clean up our act’ and present a consistent and professional image to all of our patrons and guests. In addition to ushering, the theatre is always in need of help with cleaning.
Before a show starts, during the run of a show, and during the weeks when there are no performances we need to keep up with the cleaning and maintenance at the theatre.
If you would like to be involved with this on going effort, please email me at ztf5011@psu.edu
Click here for spreadsheet to sign up, and then bookmark it!
… Zach Frantz
Be a patron!
They help ensure that quality live theatre will always have a place in our area. You can give in any amount, from $25 to $5,000 or more.
For more information on becoming a patron or helping out, email us at genesiustheatre@verizon.net or check out our sponsorship opportunities page! Genesius Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization making all donations fully tax deductible.
Sponsor an event!
Sponsors help ensure that live theatre has an ongoing place in our community. And sponsors benefit from the association with our base of season subscribers and event attendees.
Contact us at genesiustheatre@verizon.net or check out our sponsorship opportunities page to start! And remember, Genesius Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization making all donations fully tax deductible.
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