FIFTH MEETING OF THE YEAR 2006 -
MARKHAM THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD
TOWN OF MARKHAM
Ontario Room,
Markham Civic Centre
Monday, May 29th, 2006
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE:
Present
Evelyn
Bailey, Chair
David
Banfield
Alex
Chiu
Neil
Fernandez
Jim
Jones
Leslie
Johnstone
Jennifer
Kah
George
McKelvey
Mario
Miranda
Regrets
Pat
Kincaid
Genny
Landis
Michael
Landry
Barb
Roth, Director, Recreation & Culture Services
Jim
Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Frank
Scarpitti
David
Scott, Programmer
Natalie
Talsky
Gary
Unitas
Staff
Bonnie
Armstrong, Acting Theatre Manager
Debbie
Watson, Theatre Administrative Clerk
Wendy
Woof-Severn, Marketing & Sponsorship Co-ordinator
The
meeting convened at the hour of 5:30 p.m. with Evelyn Bailey in the Chair.
1.1 Remarks from the Chair
Evelyn Bailey welcomed everyone to the
meeting.
1.2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM
THEATRE FOR PER- FORMING ARTS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON APRIL 24TH,
2006.
It was noted that Jennifer Kah did not
attend the meeting, and her name was deleted from the list of those present.
RECOMMENDED: THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM THEATRE FOR
PERFORMING ARTS advisory BOARD
MEETING HELD ON APRIL 24TH, 2006,
BE APPROVED AS REVISED.
1.3 June
Events
Bonnie Armstrong reported that June is
the start of a very busy dance month.
Durham Dance will be using the theatre for five days, which is the
longest run of any client. There are
three new rental clients during the month.
2.0 FINANCIAL REPORT
2.1 Financial Performance and Business Plan
Tracking - Mario Miranda, Chair, Michael Landry,
Pat Kincaid, David Banfield
(a) April Month End
Mario
Miranda reported that the new financial reports continue to show improvements
each month. The professional shows far
exceeded the budget due to the ticket revenue, resulting in a profit of
$26,000. The period to the end of April,
however, shows an overall deficit of $18,880.
Commercial and education uses are all lower than expected, but com-
munity uses are in a favourable position.
There is an overall year-to-date deficit of $130,000.
(b) Comparative Statistics – April, 2006
Mario
Miranda noted that the number of days rented, the number of performances, and
the number of tickets sold are all down from last year, resulting in lower
combined theatre rental revenues.
Bonnie
Armstrong advised that a lot of rental clients are selling their own tickets
rather than using the box office.
3.0 MANAGER’S REPORT
3.1 P.E.S. Sales Update
Bonnie
Armstrong advised that subscription ticket sales are still under way. A second performance of “Women Fully Clothed”
has been added. On-line ticket sales
will not start until August 14th, when single tickets go on
sale. The overall dollar value of
tickets sold is down by $25,000 compared to last year. Member donations are down significantly. The reason for this is not yet known.
Evelyn
Bailey noted that while donations are down, fewer people have donated higher
amounts.
3.2 Mayor’s Dinner for the Arts Update
Bonnie
Armstrong reported that the tentative amount for each cultural venue is
$10,000, however, this is still to be confirmed. Last year each received $8,000. The revenue received by the theatre will be
split between four professional shows.
3.3 Season
Launch Update
Bonnie Armstrong advised that there
were 403 people at the first performance and 312 at the second. These numbers are less than last year. A lot of people who had responded did not
show.
Evelyn Bailey thanked David Banfield
for his help during the evening.
4.0 UPCOMING TOPICS
5.0 SUB-COMMITTEE
REPORTS
5.1 Fund Raising and Sponsorship Development
– Neil Fernandez, Vice-Chair, Jim Jones, Jennifer Kah, Genny Landis, Natalie
Talsky
Wendy Woof-Severn advised that RBC has
confirmed a $5,000 sponsorship, however, has not yet decided what to
support. Miller Thompson will be giving
$2,500. TACC will not be returning as a
sponsor. Others from last year are still
pending. Jennifer Kah is presently
working with BMW.
Neil Fernandez added that he was
negotiating with CIBC regarding Justin Trudeau.
He has sent out an e-mail to Councillors asking for their help in
obtaining sponsors.
5.2 Special
Events
(a) Fundraising
Gala – November 30, 2006 – John McDermott
Wendy Woof-Severn explained
that, through Jennifer Kah, The Black- smith Bistro has agreed to do some of
the food. There will also be a desert
sponsor. It is hoped that T-D Bank will
be a presenting sponsor.
She went on to say that there
will be a silent auction so high-end items are needed. There are also advertising opportunities
available. Jennifer Kah has agreed to
look after decorating the rehearsal hall.
(b) Co-production
Fundraiser with Markham-Stouffville Hospital
Bonnie Armstrong explained
that she had been approached to see if there was interest in doing another
“Body & Soul” type of event with the Markham-Stouffville Hospital. She advised them that they would have to
obtain enough sponsors to cover expenses.
The tentative date is January 28, 2007.
Committee members will be needed for the event.
6.0 ACTION
ITEMS
7.0 OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 Contest – Single Ticket Sales Kick-off
Wendy
Woof-Severn advised that single tickets will go on sale August 14th,
which is a month earlier than normal. In
conjunction with this, an on-line auction is planned, in partnership with the
Toronto Star, the prize being either Via Rail or air transportation within
Canada.
7.2 Electronic Highway Sign
wondered
when the sign on Highway 7 would be repaired.
Bonnie
Armstrong explained that there is no one currently able to fix it.
Evelyn
Bailey requested that quotes for repairs be brought to the next meeting.
8.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday,
June 26th, 2006, 5:30 p.m.
7
Daniel Court, Markham
9.0 ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.