September 1, 2000

Hello!! First let me say how pleased and excited I am to be moving into the position of Director of Staples Players. Players has a very special place in my heart because it was such a major influence in my life when I attended high school here in the early 1980's. I performed in and worked on many plays here and served as Vice President in my senior year. The influence of the program, and of its director, Albert Pia, was largely responsible for my choice to pursue theatre as a career, and now it is somewhat of a dream come true for me to take the program into the new millenium.  I hope I can help Players be as important in your lives as it has been in mine.

The 2000-2001 school year will be one of many changes for Staples Players. We are going to be aggressive about Players living up to its reputation as one of the best high school theatre programs in the world. This will involve a lot of hard work on the part of everyone, but if we are able to focus on this goal the rewards will be tremendous. We have the advantages of having a tremendously talented group of students and an experienced leader, and of being part of a supportive creative community and one of the few school systems in the country that has a 7 year theatre program (including the thriving middle school theatre programs at both schools). In meeting with the officers we set four primary goals for Players and decided on some policies that we think will help us reach those goals.


GOAL #1     To increase involvement in the productions and the organization from both Staples and the community.

    In order to accomplish this we are
1. Producing "Guys and Dolls" as our first production. We feel that this is a very popular funny show that will bring new students to Players (as well as bringing back some that have left the organization.)
Tell your friends! Tell everyone!  We NEED to expand the organization!!
We also think that it is a title that will bring us sell out crowds.

2. We will be trying to plan a flexible rehearsal schedule that WILL ALLOW SOME STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRODUCTION AND SPORTS!! Students should bring a list of conflicts to auditions on September 11 and we will see what we can do.  Tell your friends! Tell everyone!  We NEED to expand the organization!!

3.    We hope that current members of Players will really talk up the program and encourage other students to join or to come back.
Tell your friends! Tell everyone!  We NEED to expand the organization!!

GOAL #2    To improve communication within the organization and with the community. This will also help make Players more of a community itself, with all members working toward a common goal.

1. The first thing we have done to accomplish this goal is to set up this web site. This site will become the center of Players communication and will contain all current pertinent information. A new crew will be assigned to upkeep the site.

2. Email will be used much more often for intercommunication.

3. Senior Managers will clearly define their positions and the responsibilities of their crews in their "MISSION STATEMENTS" that will be posted on the web site. These statements will tell what the goals and responsibilities his or her crew is responsible for and approximate time and labor requirements for those responsibilities. First drafts of the "mission statements" are due to Mr. Roth by July 24 and final drafts are due by August 1.   This will help clarify exactly who is responsible for what aspect of the production.

4 All members of Players- particularly Senior Managers- MUST ATTEND ALL SCHEDULED MEETINGS OR THEY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE ORGANIZATION. Otherwise communication is impossible.

5. New crews will be established for Orchestra, Web site, and Fundraising.


GOAL #3    To improve the efficiency of Players crews.

1.    All members of Players will be required to put in a total of 15 tech hours each semester. These hours do not need to be for one specific crew and will be tabulated and reported by the senior managers of each crew. These crews will be further aided by the clarity brought about by the Senior Manager's "MISSION STATEMENTS".

2.    Each crew will have an ADULT MENTOR from the community. Hopefully this person who has real life experience in this field that they can share with the crew. The mentor is there to advise, teach, and help in whatever way is deemed necessary. THE MENTOR IS WORKING FOR AND WITH THE SENIOR MANAGER AND WILL IN NO WAY USURP HIS OR HER POWER. The senior manager will have say into what the mentor's responsibilities are and will be supported if he or she feels that the mentor is not functioning in the way noted above. Senior managers may also have input into choosing the mentor for their crew. IF YOU KNOW ANY ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD BE OF ASSISTANCE TO OUR CREWS- email Mr. Roth (Click on the mailbox on the home page). The adult mentor will also increase communication with the community.


GOAL #4 To improve the attitude and the morale of the organization.

This one is up to all the Players themselves. Just keep all comments positive. Even if you are disappointed about something. If you can do something to make it better doit, otherwise keep it to yourself.  Don't become negative. Talk with the people involved but keep it positive. And of course the number one way to have great attitude in the organization is to produce PHENOMENAL THEATRE!!!!!!

Sincerely,
David J. Roth
Director of Staples Players

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