PRESENT: 

Bob Cochnar, Landmark Musicals
Marty Epstein, Vortex Theatre
Mike Lash, Southwest Rural Theatre Project
Kristen Loree, UNM Dept. of Theatre and Dance
Reeve Love, National Hispanic Cultural Center
Linda Lopez McAlister, Camino Real Productions
Joel Miller, East Mountain Centre for Theatre
Ray Orley, ATG Board
Vernon Poitras, Enchanted Rose Inn and Theatre
Tom Schuch, Mother Road Theatre Company
Valerie Scott, ATG Board
Vicki Singer, Musical Theatre Southwest
Hugh Witemeyer, Adobe Theater

1. WELCOME

Vicki Singer extended a warm welcome to the Liaisons and offered them tours of the new performance space before and after the meeting. On behalf of the Liaisons, Hugh Witemeyer thanked Musical Theatre Southwest for hosting the meeting.

2. ELECTION

The Liaisons approved a timetable for the conduct of an online election in May. The election will choose three Liaisons to serve two-year terms on the ATG Board of Directors, beginning in July 2012. Additional information about the election will be forthcoming in the near future.

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. GENERAL MEETING. Ray Orley reminded the Liaisons that the 2012 General Meeting of the ATG will take place on Saturday May 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the North Fourth Art Center. Liaisons will receive postcard invitations to the event. Two Individual Member Representatives will be elected to the ATG Board of Directors, and reports on the achievements of the ATG during 2011-12 will be presented.

b. THEATRE LOVERS COMMUNITY. In her absence, Kay Grant’s report was read by Hugh Witemeyer. The TLC now has 67 members and has already hosted two successful events this year. Kay expressed her gratitude to ATG member organizations for supporting the TLC and its activities, and reminded the Liaisons that a $500 prize is available to the theatre organization or individual that recruits the most new members for TLC by June 30, 2012.

c. GENERAL AUDITION. An ATG talent-showcase audition will take place in mid-June. Member organizations and their directors will be invited to meet talented performers and sample their dramatic and musical presentations. The time and place of the audition will be announced.

d. McCUNE FOUNDATION. The ATG learned in February that its application for a 2012 grant from the McCune Foundation was successful. Thanks to Ray Orley and Kristen Loree for their work on the application.

e. CREATIVE BRAVOS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD. ATG received the 2012 Creative Bravos People’s Choice Award during a ceremony at the Albuquerque Museum on March 24. The recipient was chosen in an online poll. ATG is deeply grateful to all who cast votes on behalf of the Guild. Receipt of the award was also celebrated in jolly fashion at the ATG’s Fifth-Anniversary Birthday Party at the Albuquerque Little Theatre on March 25.

4. UPDATES

a. ATG FACEBOOK POLICY. The ATG Board unanimously voted to alter its Facebook posting policy with regard to the posting of reviews. Effective immediately, member organizations will decide which reviews of their productions shall be posted and which shall not. Organizations may do the posting themselves or request ATG Facebook administrators to do it for them.

b. ATG BROCHURE. The Spring 2012 issue of Albuquerque Spotlight on Live Theatre (12,000 copies) is nearly gone. The Buzz Committee will explore the possibility of a larger print run for the Fall issue. Member organizations are strongly encouraged to send their information and images for the Fall issue as soon as possible after the call for material is received.

c. A TASTE OF THEATRE. Coordinator Valerie Scott described the preview performances of scenes from ATG member productions that have taken place in March and April on the patio of the St. Clair Winery & Bistro in Old Town. These Tuesday evening events have proven so popular that the program has been extended through the month of May. Member organizations are encouraged to contact Valerie about booking excerpts from their coming attractions.

d. CENTENNIAL THEATRE PROJECT. Coordinator Reeve Love reported that several projects proposed by ATG member organizations may find places on the program of the City of Albuquerque’s celebration of the Centennial of New Mexico Statehood this summer. For example, an abridged version of the Southwest Rural Theatre Project’s production of Jimmy Galloway’s Travellin’ Show has been scheduled for the KiMo Theatre on June 16.

5. NEW INITIATIVES

a. FREE NIGHT OF THEATRE. The national Free Night of Theatre program has drawn entertainment-seekers to live-theatre performances in many U. S. cities. Linda McAlister is spearheading an attempt to ascertain whether and how ATG participation in this program might help member organizations grow their audiences.

b. MARKETING INITIATIVE. ATG has invited a number of local marketing consultants to submit indications of their interest in helping to plan a marketing initiative. The aim of the initiative is to attract prospective theatre-goers to live-theatre performances not just once but on a regular basis. Proposals were due on April 23, and the Buzz Committee will soon begin the process of evaluating them.

c. AMERICAN THEATRE ARCHIVE PROJECT. This nascent program aims to help theatre groups keep more systematic records of their activities, so that live-theatre performance in American communities will not disappear from memory because of inadequate documentation. The ATG Board has approved the planning of a one-day, statewide workshop on theatre archiving, if possible with grant support. Workshop attendees will consider whether and how New Mexico might participate in the ATAP.

d. BUSINESS AFFILIATE PROGRAM. Though only in the brainstorming stage, such a program could strengthen the relations between local theatre-producing organizations and the businesses that regularly serve them (e.g., clothing stores, make-up and hair enterprises, electricians and plumbers, suppliers of lumber, paint, and hardware, professional services, and many others).  With careful planning and strong buy-in, businesses and theatre communities can support and promote one another, to the mutual advantage of both.

6. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

a. THEATRE SAFETY PROGRAMS. Mike Lash observed that the ATG Theatre Safety initiative has lost momentum, even though many member organizations still feel a need for help in this area. Several worthwhile projects were discussed, but volunteers with the time and commitment to implement them were not forthcoming. Is there enough interest now, Mike asks, for this effort to be re-booted?

Respectfully submitted by Linda Lopez McAlister and Hugh Witemeyer