Attempting a new serious topic.... here goes.
A)How many members in your group?
(Including myself, there are 12 who turn up each week. Then there are 2 others who turn up occasionally and 5 foh/backstage people who only turn up nearer the production dates.)
See I told you we are a small group!
B)If you don't have your own stage, when do you build the set?
(we hire a theatre and the sunday before the performance dates, we spend all day at the theatre, building, painting, wall papering, making props etc.)
C)How often do you meet up?
(once a week)
D)How many people direct/produce?
(we have one person who runs the show, sometimes a bit reluctant to delegate)
E)Do you charge membership subs?
(used to but no longer, don't know why as it'd make some more money)
F)If yes, does the system work and do people pay happily?
-
Cheerio!
Just getting my armour on now, ready for the onslaught of replies...
Louise
Full Version: Membership
Hi Louise
A) 15 members of our group turn up each week - 12 who do Singing and Acting.. 1 bloke who can't sing (his words) but is our compere and loves acting and 2 Backstage Sound/Production Team - who are too nervous to get on stage but do the rest... We have a few people who help out at productions aswell.. another 5 I would have said
We use a social club with a small stage - and don't do large scale productions anymore.. when we did Pantos.. we did exactly what you did
C) We meet up every Thursday night.. and Sunday afternoons near rehearsals
D) We have a production team of 4 - 1 doesn't get up on stage so directs when the shows get close.. 1 does all the sound etc and helps sort out the show before we start.. and Jan and I direct the shows... (Ours are only sketches and Singing at the moment)
E) We charge a ?1 each Thursday - we have to pay membership for the club where we rehearse otherwise the membership each week would be more.. Most people pay a ?1 each week for the bonus ball - half goes towards charity and half to the funds!
F) Yes people are happy with this.. and 70% get withdrawal symptons if we don't rehearse and love coming!!!
A) 15 members of our group turn up each week - 12 who do Singing and Acting.. 1 bloke who can't sing (his words) but is our compere and loves acting and 2 Backstage Sound/Production Team - who are too nervous to get on stage but do the rest... We have a few people who help out at productions aswell.. another 5 I would have said
We use a social club with a small stage - and don't do large scale productions anymore.. when we did Pantos.. we did exactly what you didC) We meet up every Thursday night.. and Sunday afternoons near rehearsals
D) We have a production team of 4 - 1 doesn't get up on stage so directs when the shows get close.. 1 does all the sound etc and helps sort out the show before we start.. and Jan and I direct the shows... (Ours are only sketches and Singing at the moment)
E) We charge a ?1 each Thursday - we have to pay membership for the club where we rehearse otherwise the membership each week would be more.. Most people pay a ?1 each week for the bonus ball - half goes towards charity and half to the funds!
F) Yes people are happy with this.. and 70% get withdrawal symptons if we don't rehearse and love coming!!!
Hi Emma,
That was a quick reply! Thanks.
I forgot to logout so hence my reply...(sad or what)
L
That was a quick reply! Thanks.
I forgot to logout so hence my reply...(sad or what)
L
Hello Louise 
Well, we too are a small group of about 15 with FOC people who come and help during shows but ours are not plays, musicals, etc
Our shows are mainly done at a Social club with a large hall and small stage, which we have decorated as required in the past. Mostly we use costumes to illustrate a point.
We meet once a week, twice nearer show times.
Whoever wants to direct can, but we generally have one for sketchy, playlett things and one for music. (the same one's for each show because we like it!)
At our last AGM, it was suggested by the members themselves that we have a standard membership fee. We can pay as much as we want, but its generally settled to a ?1 a week. It is working very well.
We are also members of the social club where we rehearse and in exchange, we get the rehearsal and show hall for free.
I hope this was of some help to you and I was serious as well, which is good for me!
Well, we too are a small group of about 15 with FOC people who come and help during shows but ours are not plays, musicals, etc
Our shows are mainly done at a Social club with a large hall and small stage, which we have decorated as required in the past. Mostly we use costumes to illustrate a point.
We meet once a week, twice nearer show times.
Whoever wants to direct can, but we generally have one for sketchy, playlett things and one for music. (the same one's for each show because we like it!)
At our last AGM, it was suggested by the members themselves that we have a standard membership fee. We can pay as much as we want, but its generally settled to a ?1 a week. It is working very well.
We are also members of the social club where we rehearse and in exchange, we get the rehearsal and show hall for free.
I hope this was of some help to you and I was serious as well, which is good for me!
Oh Emma!! You beat me to it and said it so much better too! You wait until Thursday!! hehe
Blimey, LouiseT, BIG topic!
Members - About 30. About 6 are tekkie/crew only. Many of us do both sides of the stage + FOH. We are VERY LUCKY in that we have some really strong backstage people - and we know it! Quite a few of us sing so we do do musical plays and pantos.
Venue - We have our own venue and our Committee are trustees of the building so we can do pretty much what we like. We set build during the run most Sunday mornings. We have a team of 4 who do most of the work with others helping out when they can/want to. Of course, the biggest advantage of this is that we can rehearse on stage and as we often get the "bones" of a set put together pretty early on in rehearsals, we can rehearse as we will be performing. If you see what I mean! This is invaluable when you do some of the fast-moving farces (we recently did Bedside Manners which involves an abnormal amount of running in and out of rooms, along corridors, down stairs etc. I don't think we could have done this production so successfully without being able to rehearse with our set).
Rehearsals - Tuesdays and Fridays. We do four plays a year so each rehearsal period is only about 10 weeks long so we really do need to meet twice a week.
Directors - We ask for volunteers each AGM for the four slots the following year. We ALWAYS get directors. We have four really experienced directors (all of whom are also acting members) and a couple of getting-better-all-the-time directors. I think the reason we are so successful in getting directors is that they can choose their own play. We do NOT have a play committee!
Subs - Fiver a year plus they pay five pounds towards each play book when they have one. They then keep the book. We have one woman who does the terrier nipping at the ankles bit in order to get subs. We have no real problems as it is so cheap.
Reply above is for my "home" society which I love and worship. I also belong to another drama society which is much more committee-focused - which I hate - but it does some good heavy dramas - which I love. I then belong to a musical society which unfortunately is getting a bit too heavily political for my liking.
Members - About 30. About 6 are tekkie/crew only. Many of us do both sides of the stage + FOH. We are VERY LUCKY in that we have some really strong backstage people - and we know it! Quite a few of us sing so we do do musical plays and pantos.
Venue - We have our own venue and our Committee are trustees of the building so we can do pretty much what we like. We set build during the run most Sunday mornings. We have a team of 4 who do most of the work with others helping out when they can/want to. Of course, the biggest advantage of this is that we can rehearse on stage and as we often get the "bones" of a set put together pretty early on in rehearsals, we can rehearse as we will be performing. If you see what I mean! This is invaluable when you do some of the fast-moving farces (we recently did Bedside Manners which involves an abnormal amount of running in and out of rooms, along corridors, down stairs etc. I don't think we could have done this production so successfully without being able to rehearse with our set).
Rehearsals - Tuesdays and Fridays. We do four plays a year so each rehearsal period is only about 10 weeks long so we really do need to meet twice a week.
Directors - We ask for volunteers each AGM for the four slots the following year. We ALWAYS get directors. We have four really experienced directors (all of whom are also acting members) and a couple of getting-better-all-the-time directors. I think the reason we are so successful in getting directors is that they can choose their own play. We do NOT have a play committee!
Subs - Fiver a year plus they pay five pounds towards each play book when they have one. They then keep the book. We have one woman who does the terrier nipping at the ankles bit in order to get subs. We have no real problems as it is so cheap.
Reply above is for my "home" society which I love and worship. I also belong to another drama society which is much more committee-focused - which I hate - but it does some good heavy dramas - which I love. I then belong to a musical society which unfortunately is getting a bit too heavily political for my liking.
*cry*
I don't have a group as such...
Nobody wants me...
But I have worked with VERY large (60+ on stage) groups and VERY small "village Hall" groups... But I must say, I prefer the smaller groups..
Less Prima Donnas, more social stuff...
I sometimes drop into shows in the last 2 weeks to boost men numbers, or take over elads which drop out, which can be VERY VERY exciting....
I'm moving to High Wycome in the next few months, anyone want a Man*?
* Note : This is gossip only. Does wear dresses on occasion but only on stage. HONEST!
I don't have a group as such...
Nobody wants me...
But I have worked with VERY large (60+ on stage) groups and VERY small "village Hall" groups... But I must say, I prefer the smaller groups..
Less Prima Donnas, more social stuff...
I sometimes drop into shows in the last 2 weeks to boost men numbers, or take over elads which drop out, which can be VERY VERY exciting....
I'm moving to High Wycome in the next few months, anyone want a Man*?
* Note : This is gossip only. Does wear dresses on occasion but only on stage. HONEST!
A)How many members in your group?
39, of whom 24 are 18 or under.
Most act. A few are non-comabtant (though we also have a category called "Friends" who contribute financially and get seating preferences for shows, but otherwise don't take part).
Most of the stage crew are non-members (at least, not members of CATS; many of them are members of the local Probus club). Front-of-house is a mixture of members and co-optees.
B)If you don't have your own stage, when do you build the set?
We usually build the stage as well as the set. We use a hexagonal church hall with no stage, so we build our stage on milk crates
The stage and lighting tower are erected on the Friday afternoon before first dress rehearsal; the set is built on the Saturday and the dress rehearsal is on the Sunday afternoon.
For complicated sets (currently Oliver!), the flats get painted beforehand, by a team drafted in during rehearsals.
C)How often do you meet up?
When preparing for a show, we generally rehearse twice per week (Thursday Night and Sunday afternoon). We are thinking of shorter preparation periods and more intensive rehearsals for some future shows. Infrequent social activities outside of the show schedule.
D)How many people direct/produce?
Currently, four have produced; next fresh producer will be for our summer show.
E)Do you charge membership subs?
Membership ?12 per annum; family membership ?25 per annum (to encourage people to treat it as a family society, rather than as a dumping ground for their kids. This hasn't really worked!) ?7 for Friends.
We will be starting a formal youth section shortly, with fortnightly meetings, for which we will charge an additional attendance fee to cover the hire of halls.
F)If yes, does the system work and do people pay happily?
Some people groused at kids being charged the same rate as adults, but most people think it is good value. The treasurer does a good job of chasing, all subs were paid within 45 days of the AGM.
39, of whom 24 are 18 or under.
Most act. A few are non-comabtant (though we also have a category called "Friends" who contribute financially and get seating preferences for shows, but otherwise don't take part).
Most of the stage crew are non-members (at least, not members of CATS; many of them are members of the local Probus club). Front-of-house is a mixture of members and co-optees.
B)If you don't have your own stage, when do you build the set?
We usually build the stage as well as the set. We use a hexagonal church hall with no stage, so we build our stage on milk crates
The stage and lighting tower are erected on the Friday afternoon before first dress rehearsal; the set is built on the Saturday and the dress rehearsal is on the Sunday afternoon.
For complicated sets (currently Oliver!), the flats get painted beforehand, by a team drafted in during rehearsals.
C)How often do you meet up?
When preparing for a show, we generally rehearse twice per week (Thursday Night and Sunday afternoon). We are thinking of shorter preparation periods and more intensive rehearsals for some future shows. Infrequent social activities outside of the show schedule.
D)How many people direct/produce?
Currently, four have produced; next fresh producer will be for our summer show.
E)Do you charge membership subs?
Membership ?12 per annum; family membership ?25 per annum (to encourage people to treat it as a family society, rather than as a dumping ground for their kids. This hasn't really worked!) ?7 for Friends.
We will be starting a formal youth section shortly, with fortnightly meetings, for which we will charge an additional attendance fee to cover the hire of halls.
F)If yes, does the system work and do people pay happily?
Some people groused at kids being charged the same rate as adults, but most people think it is good value. The treasurer does a good job of chasing, all subs were paid within 45 days of the AGM.
Well, just to add something from a different perspective (!) we are a group of just over 400 people, about 90 of whom are Audience Members, ie. don't take part in productions but get membership rates on tickets, and we put on 22 shows per year in two theatre spaces.
The set building tends to be at the weekends and whenever people can get time off from work, as our schedule means that the place is being used 7 evenings a week for rehearsals. We have quite a tight 6-week rehearsal period, with approximately (although it's sometimes a lot less) 2 weeks of this being in the theatre you will be performing in.
Our full membership is ?25 a year (with a ?12 concession charge for OAP, unemployed, student) and it is compulsory for all cast/crew/backstage/bar staff/front of house, etc. etc. etc. ! to be full members.
We have a Membership Director dedicated to running membership nights every Wednesday, keeping the database up-to-date, dealing with the HUGE amount of administration, answering queries from the website and dealing with holes in cast/crew from various directors, but it is really becoming much too much work for one person and we're trying to organise a team to do this.
I came from a 15-person group some 12 years ago and although we have to have committees/teams to do things with so much going on (apart from the fact our building is falling down around our ears!), we really try not to make it too "political" or committee-ridden.
Hope this helps!
Helen
The set building tends to be at the weekends and whenever people can get time off from work, as our schedule means that the place is being used 7 evenings a week for rehearsals. We have quite a tight 6-week rehearsal period, with approximately (although it's sometimes a lot less) 2 weeks of this being in the theatre you will be performing in.
Our full membership is ?25 a year (with a ?12 concession charge for OAP, unemployed, student) and it is compulsory for all cast/crew/backstage/bar staff/front of house, etc. etc. etc. ! to be full members.
We have a Membership Director dedicated to running membership nights every Wednesday, keeping the database up-to-date, dealing with the HUGE amount of administration, answering queries from the website and dealing with holes in cast/crew from various directors, but it is really becoming much too much work for one person and we're trying to organise a team to do this.
I came from a 15-person group some 12 years ago and although we have to have committees/teams to do things with so much going on (apart from the fact our building is falling down around our ears!), we really try not to make it too "political" or committee-ridden.
Hope this helps!
Helen
I'm definitely a fly by night! I'm not sure I qualify as a member of a group but the one I worked with last year for the first time is very small (c 12) and only does straight plays. Normally two plays a year although the autumn production was dropped. The group decide the next play and, as I understand it, anyone can direct if they please. I only intend to get involved once they know what they want to do and we have a set layout. Selfish maybe, but I can see litlle point in going week after week to discuss possible plays etc. The core team are really friendly and committed. There are also a handful of real gems who have apparently been around ever since God was a boy that come in to do refreshments, help on the set up day, help put it all away again and look after FOH.
For the one show I've done with them, the set was put together in a day by the cast and I had the same day to rig all the lights and sound. The group have small amount of equipment that I supplemented with some I own. I answered an ad on this site about this time last year and spent several weeks making their gear safe. Some of it was lethal! No sign of any PAT testing, so I'll need to get that organised at some point. The high spot is the venue itself. Nice ambiance, reasonable stage although no backstage cross through access. The group keep all the set, tech and props either under the stage or up in an attic. On the downside are the wretched infrared halogen heaters that you can't use duriing the show (spill) and makeshift lighting brackets. Thinking about it, the tech facilities are very poor and I'll need to run in some additional tail ends to the supply for the next show in March if we want some decent lighting levels.
There is a small sub every week (?1 I think!) and a small annual sub as well? Sorry, I can't remember the amount.
I only moved back to Suffolk three years ago. Before that I was doing tech in a school mainly. Now, those that know I have gear sitting at home approach me to do one or two one-night shows a year. Most of those are charity do's and thoroughly enjoyable. My gear has also been used on several carnival floats which is really mobile amdram.
Hope this helps paint a picture.
Best wishes ...... Robin
For the one show I've done with them, the set was put together in a day by the cast and I had the same day to rig all the lights and sound. The group have small amount of equipment that I supplemented with some I own. I answered an ad on this site about this time last year and spent several weeks making their gear safe. Some of it was lethal! No sign of any PAT testing, so I'll need to get that organised at some point. The high spot is the venue itself. Nice ambiance, reasonable stage although no backstage cross through access. The group keep all the set, tech and props either under the stage or up in an attic. On the downside are the wretched infrared halogen heaters that you can't use duriing the show (spill) and makeshift lighting brackets. Thinking about it, the tech facilities are very poor and I'll need to run in some additional tail ends to the supply for the next show in March if we want some decent lighting levels.
There is a small sub every week (?1 I think!) and a small annual sub as well? Sorry, I can't remember the amount.
I only moved back to Suffolk three years ago. Before that I was doing tech in a school mainly. Now, those that know I have gear sitting at home approach me to do one or two one-night shows a year. Most of those are charity do's and thoroughly enjoyable. My gear has also been used on several carnival floats which is really mobile amdram.
Hope this helps paint a picture.
Best wishes ...... Robin
A)How many members in your group?
We have 20-30 members but quite a few of those only want to be in the panto ? when it comes to trying to cast our summer production we might get nine or ten people who want to be in it. We have a set designer/builder/stage manager and most members will tackle foh/backstage roles.
B)If you don't have your own stage, when do you build the set?
We have to book the Town Hall for a week in advance of the show so that we can move our gear in and create the set. The lights are owned by another company and they provide the people to set them up and operate them.
C)How often do you meet up?
During panto season we rehearse on the whole twice a week ? once for the dialogue and the other for songs and dance. For the summer production we only rehearse once a week (with the occasional additional word bash)
Outside of the productions we try to have a monthly get-together.
D)How many people direct/produce?
We have one person who does the panto, there are 2 or 3 of us who rotate the summer play between us. Perhaps this is the source of another topic, but our group does tend to be run as though the Chairman and Secretary own it ? and what they want is normally what happens?
E)Do you charge membership subs?
?10 per year for us oldies, ?5 per year for full-time students over 16.
F)If yes, does the system work and do people pay happily?
It?s a useful source of income and as the subs have been the same for at least the past 7 years people are happy to pay. Mind you we have to pay for our own scripts as well.
We have 20-30 members but quite a few of those only want to be in the panto ? when it comes to trying to cast our summer production we might get nine or ten people who want to be in it. We have a set designer/builder/stage manager and most members will tackle foh/backstage roles.
B)If you don't have your own stage, when do you build the set?
We have to book the Town Hall for a week in advance of the show so that we can move our gear in and create the set. The lights are owned by another company and they provide the people to set them up and operate them.
C)How often do you meet up?
During panto season we rehearse on the whole twice a week ? once for the dialogue and the other for songs and dance. For the summer production we only rehearse once a week (with the occasional additional word bash)
Outside of the productions we try to have a monthly get-together.
D)How many people direct/produce?
We have one person who does the panto, there are 2 or 3 of us who rotate the summer play between us. Perhaps this is the source of another topic, but our group does tend to be run as though the Chairman and Secretary own it ? and what they want is normally what happens?
E)Do you charge membership subs?
?10 per year for us oldies, ?5 per year for full-time students over 16.
F)If yes, does the system work and do people pay happily?
It?s a useful source of income and as the subs have been the same for at least the past 7 years people are happy to pay. Mind you we have to pay for our own scripts as well.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I was wondering how to approach suggesting the topic of subs at our group and wanted some clear ideas about how other groups do it and if it goes well. I think we would all pay something each week, it's just deciding on the amount. It is a big topic yes, but you see, we can see a little into each other's groups. Anyway, time flies..I've got drama tonight and we choose our next production this week so it's really exciting!!!
Louise
Louise
Lazy Bee - how on earth do you fireproof milk crates?!!!!!
Meanwhile, I belong to lots of groups. The one I'm currently directing for has about 100 members, about 50 will be in each show, and about 20 are regular backstage/off stage people. As we do a variation of things (panto/musicals/choral singing) different people do different shows.
Membership is about ?15 per year, plus show fees (up to ?20 per show) and you also pay for your scripts/scores for most productions, especially for choral works or charity gigs as there's no income). No-one has ever queried this - just make sure you're up front about it!
We get-in at the theatre on a Sunday afternoon and have to do it all then, although some of the furniture items can be built in advance if we can find somewhere to store them.
We usually rehearse once a week for choral works, and twice a week for big shows. Sometimes wicked directors (like me!) call them all in for an all-day Sunday stint from time to time too............never makes me popular but it brings the show on fantastically!
We have about 4 directors, but anyone is open to put their show idea forward to the committee at a presentation. I'd normally prepare about a 30 minute presentation about 2 years before the slot I want in the theatre. We know when we'll be in the theatre because we have to book slots 2 years in advance and it's always fully booked up that far in advance.
We have one person who produces most of the shows, but it's up to the director to use that person or find another producer they trust if they'd rather. The same goes for MD/Chorus Masters and Choreographers/Dance Captains.
We also have a selection of social events (after all, rehearsals are for rehearsing not chatting!) such as beer & skittles evenings, wine tasting evenings (no we're not all alcoholics), quiz evenings (good fundraisers these) and so on. We're a very friendly, sociable lot.
Occasionally we're asked to make up the chorus for professional operatic productions, and a group of singers also perform in church charity concerts several times a year.
Well, that's us - oh, we're called "GHosTs"
Membership is about ?15 per year, plus show fees (up to ?20 per show) and you also pay for your scripts/scores for most productions, especially for choral works or charity gigs as there's no income). No-one has ever queried this - just make sure you're up front about it!
We get-in at the theatre on a Sunday afternoon and have to do it all then, although some of the furniture items can be built in advance if we can find somewhere to store them.
We usually rehearse once a week for choral works, and twice a week for big shows. Sometimes wicked directors (like me!) call them all in for an all-day Sunday stint from time to time too............never makes me popular but it brings the show on fantastically!
We have about 4 directors, but anyone is open to put their show idea forward to the committee at a presentation. I'd normally prepare about a 30 minute presentation about 2 years before the slot I want in the theatre. We know when we'll be in the theatre because we have to book slots 2 years in advance and it's always fully booked up that far in advance.
We have one person who produces most of the shows, but it's up to the director to use that person or find another producer they trust if they'd rather. The same goes for MD/Chorus Masters and Choreographers/Dance Captains.
We also have a selection of social events (after all, rehearsals are for rehearsing not chatting!) such as beer & skittles evenings, wine tasting evenings (no we're not all alcoholics), quiz evenings (good fundraisers these) and so on. We're a very friendly, sociable lot.
Occasionally we're asked to make up the chorus for professional operatic productions, and a group of singers also perform in church charity concerts several times a year.
Well, that's us - oh, we're called "GHosTs"
(A) We have about 20 full members (some of these being students) and another 10 or so associate members. Full members are entitled to audition and perform in productions and associates tend to be people who don't want to be on the stage and committed to rehearsals every week and help out backstage, FOH etc.
( We rehearse and perform in a community centre that has it's own stage. We're quite lucky in that two members of our group are on the community centre's committee so we get quite a lot of flexibility from the council. We tend to build our sets throughout the rehearsal period so that there isn't one big mad rush near the end of the rehearsal period. It also leaves the last Sunday free for us to go through a dress rehearsal which is a painful enough process as it is without having to worry about building set!!!
© We meet up on Thursday evenings, then closer to the production we meet up round someone's house another evening during the week (decided depending on what days are best for people). During Panto's we tend to use Sunday afternoons too to rehearse songs and dances.
(D) Everyone is given the opportunity to direct if they want to. As we are quite a small group, people don't have specific tasks, everyone has a go at everything. We have a policy with regards to directing that is as follows: If you have never directed before, you may only direct a one act play. Once you have directed a one act play you may direct a full length play. Once you have directed a full lenght play you may direct a pantomime. This is however down the Executive Committee's discretion.
(E) We charge around ?6 a month for subs which works out to about ?70 a year for full members. Students and Junior members pay less but I can't remember what it is that they pay (I'm the secretary not the treasurer!!!) We encourage people to set up direct debits and the money comes in really handy to pay for royalites, licenses, rent for the hall etc. We also hold fundraisers twice a year to help towards costs - anything from a quiz night to race night!
(F) The system works really well. We're a friendly bunch of people and we all get on really well - as a committee we never make decisions without running things past the group and getting a vote on it. We always go with the majority. We have had problems in the past with people paying subs which is why we have introduced the direct debit system and people are happy enough to do this as they don't even have to think about it.
Hope that the information helps!!
(
We rehearse and perform in a community centre that has it's own stage. We're quite lucky in that two members of our group are on the community centre's committee so we get quite a lot of flexibility from the council. We tend to build our sets throughout the rehearsal period so that there isn't one big mad rush near the end of the rehearsal period. It also leaves the last Sunday free for us to go through a dress rehearsal which is a painful enough process as it is without having to worry about building set!!!© We meet up on Thursday evenings, then closer to the production we meet up round someone's house another evening during the week (decided depending on what days are best for people). During Panto's we tend to use Sunday afternoons too to rehearse songs and dances.
(D) Everyone is given the opportunity to direct if they want to. As we are quite a small group, people don't have specific tasks, everyone has a go at everything. We have a policy with regards to directing that is as follows: If you have never directed before, you may only direct a one act play. Once you have directed a one act play you may direct a full length play. Once you have directed a full lenght play you may direct a pantomime. This is however down the Executive Committee's discretion.
(E) We charge around ?6 a month for subs which works out to about ?70 a year for full members. Students and Junior members pay less but I can't remember what it is that they pay (I'm the secretary not the treasurer!!!) We encourage people to set up direct debits and the money comes in really handy to pay for royalites, licenses, rent for the hall etc. We also hold fundraisers twice a year to help towards costs - anything from a quiz night to race night!
(F) The system works really well. We're a friendly bunch of people and we all get on really well - as a committee we never make decisions without running things past the group and getting a vote on it. We always go with the majority. We have had problems in the past with people paying subs which is why we have introduced the direct debit system and people are happy enough to do this as they don't even have to think about it.
Hope that the information helps!!
| QUOTE (Anne-Marie @ Jan 14 2003, 11:20 PM) |
| Lazy Bee - how on earth do you fireproof milk crates?!!!!! |
The plastic of milk crates is already sufficiently flame retardant. (To test this, try setting fire to a milk float.) The main issue with milk crates is to stop people nicking them!
Hi,
A)How many members in your group?
We have about 120 membership - about 45 of these are kids under 13 !
B)If you don't have your own stage, when do you build the set?
We have our own stage in our Community Centre. Not completely owned by us, but hired for the majority of the time and not really used by anyone else. (luckily!)
C)How often do you meet up?
Twice a week for rehearsals, with occasional social events like quizzes etc. Open evening once a year or so (Bods Opera).
D)How many people direct/produce?
Any member who wishes to, can do. They submit plans/ideas to the Committee for approval first. We are currently booked up till October 2004 which is a record for us !! (usually do 4 productions per year)
E)Do you charge membership subs?
Yes, yearly.
F)If yes, does the system work and do people pay happily?
Yes. If they don't pay up within 5 months of subs being due, we write them off and they get no more newsletters etc. Only ?10 a year for the adults which isn't a great deal anyway
A)How many members in your group?
We have about 120 membership - about 45 of these are kids under 13 !
B)If you don't have your own stage, when do you build the set?
We have our own stage in our Community Centre. Not completely owned by us, but hired for the majority of the time and not really used by anyone else. (luckily!)
C)How often do you meet up?
Twice a week for rehearsals, with occasional social events like quizzes etc. Open evening once a year or so (Bods Opera).
D)How many people direct/produce?
Any member who wishes to, can do. They submit plans/ideas to the Committee for approval first. We are currently booked up till October 2004 which is a record for us !! (usually do 4 productions per year)
E)Do you charge membership subs?
Yes, yearly.
F)If yes, does the system work and do people pay happily?
Yes. If they don't pay up within 5 months of subs being due, we write them off and they get no more newsletters etc. Only ?10 a year for the adults which isn't a great deal anyway
LouiseT,
I can't see that the payment of a sub should come as a major surprise to many people. If your group is like many others, you probably have a few people who perform in other groups too in which case they will have paid subs in the past. And let's face it, even with the payment of a sub it's still a cheap hobby! The consensus from here seems to be ?10 - ?15 a year. We're not talking bank breaking are we? Good luck.
I can't see that the payment of a sub should come as a major surprise to many people. If your group is like many others, you probably have a few people who perform in other groups too in which case they will have paid subs in the past. And let's face it, even with the payment of a sub it's still a cheap hobby! The consensus from here seems to be ?10 - ?15 a year. We're not talking bank breaking are we? Good luck.
Hi Maureen,
I have been in other groups in the places I have lived before and always expected to have to pay subs. One group which has 2 men and 4 women (they go round the old folks homes) used to charge for tea/coffee. They had their meetings in a church hall. The main group I performed with charged ?5 for the year, then when rehearsals got started we paid ?1 per week. We met in a working mens club and had to be members but that was a small fee. It was a bit of a shock to the system when I joined my current group. lots of differences in the ways things get done but I settled and made friends. I discovered that they do nothing in the way of fund raising and don't charge subs. We have a mix of backgrounds, people who work and a couple unemployed. I know that we get our rehearsal venue for free but we buy drinks at the bar so they get money out of us that way. If people buy a drink, then it seems silly not to collect a small amount each week. It just needs to be discussed. Anyone else who doesn't charge anything and thinks they should? I don't think we can ask people for a lot given that we have so few in regular attendance. Anyway, thanks for the help you and others have offered.
Lou
I have been in other groups in the places I have lived before and always expected to have to pay subs. One group which has 2 men and 4 women (they go round the old folks homes) used to charge for tea/coffee. They had their meetings in a church hall. The main group I performed with charged ?5 for the year, then when rehearsals got started we paid ?1 per week. We met in a working mens club and had to be members but that was a small fee. It was a bit of a shock to the system when I joined my current group. lots of differences in the ways things get done but I settled and made friends. I discovered that they do nothing in the way of fund raising and don't charge subs. We have a mix of backgrounds, people who work and a couple unemployed. I know that we get our rehearsal venue for free but we buy drinks at the bar so they get money out of us that way. If people buy a drink, then it seems silly not to collect a small amount each week. It just needs to be discussed. Anyone else who doesn't charge anything and thinks they should? I don't think we can ask people for a lot given that we have so few in regular attendance. Anyway, thanks for the help you and others have offered.
Lou
We have a membership of about 30, but you can guarantee that during the rehearsal period of a panto or musical, you will have various people missing a fair few times (quite often it's the principles) while you have some very dedicated chorus members who never miss a rehearsal.
Based on this, we do not charge a weekly fee as it seems unfair to charge the most to those who are dedicated.
We pay ?10 a year for membership, and ?10 a year to become a member of the club where we rehearse.
We pay a one off fee to the hall we hire and we usually make that easily.
It has been suggested that we should charge a show fee in the future - I mean ?10 is nothing in this day and age, and it would be so nice to be able to hire a few more costumes rather than make them...
Based on this, we do not charge a weekly fee as it seems unfair to charge the most to those who are dedicated.
We pay ?10 a year for membership, and ?10 a year to become a member of the club where we rehearse.
We pay a one off fee to the hall we hire and we usually make that easily.
It has been suggested that we should charge a show fee in the future - I mean ?10 is nothing in this day and age, and it would be so nice to be able to hire a few more costumes rather than make them...
We pay a yearly sum too of around ?15. It's mainly used for the running costs of the group as a whole rather than solely as an income. Like most larger groups we charge show fees on top of this for all performers -with principals paying slightly more. This income goes directly into the show budget. Expenditure like rehearsal halls is (hopefully) covered by each individual show's income
I would estimate that someone performing as a principal in 3 shows per year as a principal in each, and taking into account show fees score hire etc could send about ?100 per annum (that's scary) but then that's only about ?2 per week and that's worse case.
I know of some operatic companies whose annual membership fees is ?50 plus show fees (any they wonder why no-one under 50 is a member!)
BTW normally backstage people are exempt show fees and sometimes membership fees too
I would estimate that someone performing as a principal in 3 shows per year as a principal in each, and taking into account show fees score hire etc could send about ?100 per annum (that's scary) but then that's only about ?2 per week and that's worse case.
I know of some operatic companies whose annual membership fees is ?50 plus show fees (any they wonder why no-one under 50 is a member!)
BTW normally backstage people are exempt show fees and sometimes membership fees too
OK Lazybee, I think I'm going to build my set from milk crates sprayed silver for my next show - disallowed word all that expensive hi-tech staging Martin's hired in for me!
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