SECOND MEETING OF THE YEAR 2008 -

MARKHAM THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD

TOWN OF MARKHAM

 

Canada Room, Markham Civic Centre

Monday, February 25th, 2008

 

MINUTES

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

Present                                                       Staff

 

Mario Miranda, Chair                                   Bonnie Armstrong

David Banfield                                             John Ryerson

Dennis Cline                                               Allan Seabrooke

Nancy Cogger                                               Debbie Watson

Brian Harvey                                               Wendy Woof-Severn

Jennifer Kah

Pat Kincaid

Michael Landry

Elizabeth Richardson

Isabel Schnapp

Tony Wong, Regional Councillor

 

Regrets

 

Neil Fernandez

Genny Landis

Elizabeth Richardson

Simon Gulden

 

 

 

The meeting convened at the hour of 5:35 p.m. with Mario Miranda in the Chair.

 

 

1.0     REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR

·         new board members were introduced

·         Simon Gulden to attend next meeting

·         Alex Chiu stepping down; may not be replaced; thank you for past service

 

2.0     ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM THEATRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 28TH, 2008.

 

          RECOMMENDED:  THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM THEATRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 28TH, 2008, BE ADOPTED AS CIRCULATED.

 

3.0     FINANCIAL REPORT

 

3.1     Financial Performance and Business Plan Tracking - Brian Harvey, Chair, Mario Miranda, Pat Kincaid, David Banfield, Michael Landry

 

·         operational deficit of $225K for 2007

·         23% improvement when compared to 2006 financial results, which had deficit of $291K

·         2007 budget set based on 2005 financial realities

·         improvements over 2006 in most program areas –

o        commercial – down $3K, or 7%

o        community – up $30K, or 43%

o        education – up $16K, or 11%

o        PES – up $24K, or 19%

·         overall revenues up 9% with expenses up 3%

·         PES – 22% revenue growth; 15% expense growth

·         improvements in PES attributed to increase in shows, increased ticket pricing, changes in programming and increased marketing action

·         community – 5% revenue growth; expenses down 6%

·         in 2008 Finance Committee and theatre staff will work more closely with Town Finance staff to further refine theatre’s financial position

·         should have 2008 results at next meeting

·         2008 budgeted operating deficit set at $240K; challenging but fair target

·         did have balanced budgets in early 1990’s but had $200K in sponsorships as well as Federal grants

·         too early to see a pattern for improvements re PES; lot of questions re pricing, programming and marketing

·         study by City of Burlington shows we have least subsidized theatre in area

·         cost per household quite low

·         theatre staff to be commended for running tight ship

 

4.0     MANAGER’S REPORT

4.1     February and March Events

·         February shows – Drum! sold out – excellent show

·         4 PES shows last week; some people attended all and loved them all

·         senior’s matinee – matinee rehearsal turned into full show; some people stayed for whole thing

·         March – 5 PES shows

 

4.2     P.E.S. Sales Update

·         were 4 sponsors for Anastasia

 

4.3     2008-2009 PES Programming Update

·         should be done by the end of the week

 

5.0     SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

5.1     Fundraising and Sponsorship Development - Neil Fernandez, Chair, Jennifer Kah, Genny Landis, Dennis Cline, David Tsubouchi, Wendy Woof-Severn

 

·         very healthy - $28K for spring, 2008

·         Natalie MacMaster – gala – York Region Newspaper Group, North of the City, Rogers and Milestones returning sponsors

·         sales started today – sold 4 tickets at 11:00 am

·         tickets put on sale early because less time to sell if wait until May

·         also so less competition with other galas

·         count on all board members to attend; fantastic event

·         reviewing sponsorship packages

·         exploring new hotel partner opportunities

·         season launch May 12th; information out mid March

·         two weeks prior – advance notice to subscribers

·         evening event with 6 performers; also evening open houses

·         music CD being done to help sell season

·         Lee Trio – talked to Royal Conservatory of Music – in their newsletter

·         Classical 96 FM media partner

·         Ming Pao offered valuable package but turned down request to be media partner; timing issue – supporting other events; willing to help another time

·         should give Chinese media free tickets

·         if no more sales, then publicity

·         ask Tony Wong and Logan Kanapathi to speak to their contacts

·         enormous amount of work done by Wendy Woof-Severn to help sales

·         lot of expertise here; need to put emphasis on what is working

·         broaden reach and be strategic

·         Royal Conservatory didn’t think offer was good enough

·         issue was price – they wanted ticket price of $10; were offered $38 and $5 for children

 

5.2     25th Anniversary Committee

·         will be calling a meeting within the next few weeks

 

6.0     ACTION ITEMS

·         Royal Conservatory of Music – preliminary draft from consultant but not satisfied; told to do more work

·         will have a planning meeting with the entire board

 

7.0     OTHER BUSINESS

·         emergency repairs done in lobby due to water leak

·         theatre orientation session for new board members after next meeting

·         year-end results – presentation at next meeting

·         Values and Benefits Study – started last summer with interview sessions over one weekend

·         Part 2 – surveys; first one at Anastasia; both pre and post show surveys

·         62 of 138 returned

·         3 other shows in April; final report due in fall

·         fundraising concert March 3 for Unionville High School trip to China

·         leaving March 21st for 9 days

·         meeting Markham delegates in Shanghai

 

8.0     DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday, March 31st, 2008, 5:30 p.m.

Canada Room, Markham Civic Centre

 

9.0     ADJOURNMENT

·         6:40 p.m.