A long overdue update on OutOftheBlackBox Theatre Company…

Hi, folks!

Hope you’re surviving the holidays!

Here’s what we’ve got so far in the way of progress.

First, I’ve gone in and adjusted the first draft of our by-laws to include input from several sources. If you’re getting a second copy of this message, it’s because I’m including you in the list of folks who should go read the new draft, noting that your comments came from LJ and not from our Yahoo Groups mailing list. You should consider joining at least the discussion list at o2b2@yahoogroups.com. The new draft is located here:

http://outoftheblackbox.org/admin/bylaws-seconddraft.pdf

I think I caught everything people noted. Articles have been renumbered from the second IV on down, some additional language has been included to clarify some initially fuzzy logic. Please review this document and provide your comments ASAP! I’d like to see any comments returned by January 9th, if possible. Please feel free to pass this info on to anyone you think might have a meaningful contribution to this process.

Second, I spoke to John Pomeranz (Hi, John!) about our paperwork, and here, in paraphrase, is what he said to me. (He’ll correct me if I’m wrong, I’m sure…): We have approximately 27 months from the date of incorp to complete the paperwork and be accepted as a 501(c)(3), but we should be acting like one now. There is an online publication available to outline things like when letters need to be provided for donations of cash or goods, and so on.

I am interpreting this to mean that we could, in theory, begin to accept supporting donations now, without having the federal nod in place, but I’d still be a lot happier with the paper in our hands. It also means we have a little wiggle room for compiling this paper, but we should definitely consider filing our first set of tax forms as if we’re already a 501(c)(3).

Third, we have submitted /A Company of Wayward Saints/ to Greenbelt for consideration as a co-production during the month of July, 2006. Should our proposal be accepted, we will be holding auditions for the show this coming April. I have agreed to direct, with assistance from Jonathen Ezra (as Asst. Director) and Sean Eustis (as advisor/dramaturg). All other roles/positions are open with the exception of COLUMBINE, which is spoken for by the provider of the script, Jo Rake.

I have been told that the committee will not consider any script submitted for next GAC season until 1/6 at the earliest, so I will not know for at least a week whether or not our proposal has been accepted. If not, we can possibly submit elsewhere, but I’m not sure where yet.

Fourth, in today’s Gazette, Judson Berger had an article about the continued stasis of the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. No progress has been made in signing the paperwork. I wish it were otherwise. It would have been a wonderful present. Sadly, we’re still waiting for word. I can take comfort that we aren’t alone…

Finally, I have received two additional scripts for consideration: /Moore with Les and Les/, an unproduced play, and a new version of /Volpone/ (The Fox), newly translated by Bill Jones. These are new projects which are being reviewed for future slots. We also have a possible production of “An Evening with Edgar” which Jaimee would like to direct, and there are other scripts out there which may work well for us once we have a place to produce them.

/Alice in Wonderland/ is effectively dead, for at least the next year and possibly longer. I love the script, but I feel that without having a firm grasp of the talent available and at our disposal, committing to the avant garde production is a bit too far out on a limb for us at this early stage. And we can add a final nail in that coffin by confirming that another local company is tackling the same exact script in this coming year.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year’s Eve! (I’ll be attending a local party with a Musicals theme and am trying to choose my character from a vast array…). And I would encourage folks to plan a trip to see Cabaret at GAC in the next few weeks (they open on 1/6). In addition to the new, interesting way the space will be laid out, you’ll get a chance to see the show that sucked me into theatre in the first place.

Come visit our web site, now conveniently located at:

OutOftheBlackBox Theatre Company

I’ll be updating it soon, to coincide with announcements of future productions.

Thanks for your continued support and interest! See you soon!!!

Betsy Marks Delaney
Artistic Director
OutOftheBlackBox Theatre Company, Inc.

REMINDER: Next O2B2 meeting is scheduled for 3pm this Saturday, 11/12

Hi!

This is just a reminder that we’re meeting at my place in Bowie this Saturday at 3. If you can’t make the meeting but you want to contribute to the by-laws or production discussion, please email your comments and we’ll read them out loud during the meeting.

Directions to my place are available on request. Or call 301.922.1865.

Thanks!

See you soon, one way or the other,

Betsy Marks Delaney
Artistic Director
OutOftheBlackBox Theatre Company

REMINDER: Next O2B2 meeting is scheduled for 3pm this Saturday, 11/12

Hi!

This is just a reminder that we’re meeting at my place in Bowie this Saturday at 3. If you can’t make the meeting but you want to contribute to the by-laws or production discussion, please email your comments and we’ll read them out loud during the meeting.

Directions to my place are available on request. Or call 301.922.1865.

Thanks!

See you soon, one way or the other,

Betsy Marks Delaney
Artistic Director
OutOftheBlackBox Theatre Company

Since I’ve been asked…

Apparently I forgot to post this earlier.

Prince George’s Little Theatre is performing “Miracle on 34th Street” December 8 – 11. Four cast members from “6 Characters” have been cast – John, Bill, Steve and Dorothy.

I will post more information as we are closer to show time.

Next O2B2 Business Meeting set for November 12, 2005

I know we’re going to be missing a couple of folks, but this is the best date for everyone who responded, so this is the date we’re meeting!

You’re welcome to discuss any and all of the following subjects:

1. Our By-Laws (we don’t have them yet but we should have a decent start by the end of this meeting!!!!)
2. Six Characters in Search of an Author – the wrap up
3. Our next production(s)
4. Insert your topic here.

If you want to be a part of the process, feel free to come. Meeting is at the Artistic Director’s house. Directions are available on request.

Meeting time: 3pm (unless I hear otherwise PRONTO!!!)

Be there. Aloha.

Six Characters in Search of an Author is history!

Sorry to say that we only had two weeks. The show received quite a bit of verbal praise, and we’ve made our mark/splash as intended.

We’ll be settling out with the Greenbelt Arts Center this coming week, but in the interim, you should know that over 190 people saw the show these last two weeks.

We’ll post more when the next production goes to auditions – in the meantime, keep your eyes on this space for other announcements, including upcoming planning meetings to discuss our By-Laws, the post-production results and future plans. We’ll likely meet at the beginning of November, before folks get too tied up in Thanksgiving plans.

If you want to be involved, don’t forget to sign up on the YahooGroups lists (noted on this BLOG), and let us know about your availability.

We have a bright future ahead of us!

Thanks for your support!!!

Oh, HELP!!!

I just had one of our actors (John) call in sick for the show TONIGHT.

We’re desperate for an actor who can take his role. It’s not a lot of lines but he is on stage the whole show.

If you know of a male actor who is available on very short notice, please, PLEASE have him call me ASAP! I really don’t want to cancel the show tonight. 301.922.1865

Problem solved. Thank ghu for the folks doing this show!!!

Thanks!

Six Characters closes this weekend!!!

See it while you still have a chance. It’s a good show and we could use the audience!

Info on reserving: http://www.greenbeltartscenter.org/

Info on the show and the company: http://www.OutOftheBlackBox.org/

Shows tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, at 8pm SHARP!

(And don’t forget King John, Friday/Saturday at the Sellars Theatre in Laurel, too!)

See ya!

Shameless Plug/Brag – Six Characters in Search of an Author opens TONIGHT!!!!

Hi, all!

We’re opening tonight, for six performances that are going to ROCK.

I’ve got a cast member on the board of the local Community Theatre awards group WATCH (the information for which escapes me at the moment – it stands for something involving Washington Area Theatre…). At our final dress last night, the reviewer she invited who was watching the show gave us an informal rating of 7. (Scale: 1 is the pits, and 10 is Broadway.) We can’t become a candidate for real review until we’ve performed three shows.

You have no idea how high I’m flying right now. This is our first production, the first full-length play I’ve directed, and it has a cast of 16.

Proud does not begin to describe.

If you want to check out pix of the show, go here: Hey, folks!

I completely forgot to mention that Rachel’s photos are online now:

http://www.outoftheblackbox.org/6char/photos.shtml

And if you’re available to see the show (in Greenbelt, MD this Friday-Sunday and next Thursday-Saturday, 8pm all except Sunday at 2), get in touch with the Greenbelt Arts Center and make your reservations.

I’m psyched!!!

(Just had to crow… I’ve been down for weeks over stuff, but this is bringing me back, even with a headache!)

Please feel free to forward to anyone you think might be interested in seeing the show.

Talk to you soon!

Six Characters opens in just a few days!!!

If you haven’t already done so, you should contact Greenbelt Arts Center soon to reserve your tickets for the show. (I am, of course, assuming you’re going. Right???)
We start promptly at 8pm, and there’s no intermission, plus late seating will be difficult at best, so being there on time is essential.

More information about reserving your tickets is available on the Greenbelt site at: http://www.greenbeltartscenter.org/ or by calling them at 301-441-8770.

Hope we see you there!

Comments:
From: Rachel D
2005-09-22 08:19 am (local)

Since I probably can’t post here, I’m adding a link to the pics on this entry. ENJOY!!

From: Betsy Marks Delaney
2005-09-22 11:44 am (local)

Thanks!!!!!!!