Dolphin Theatre

 

The President's Report

Presented at the AGM on 2nd March 2008

It is my privilege to present this report on the achievements of our Theatre through 2007, and to give thanks to all who have supported our goal to be one of the leading Amateur Theatres in New Zealand.

Again we have succeeded in producing six outstanding Productions, which is no mean task when we rely on volunteers.

The 2006 Play Selectors had decided to stage a Year of Comedy in 2007, with the express intention of providing funds for the Building Extension project.

The year started with “The Amorous Ambassador” featuring a testosterone-rich Ambassador and his family, and how they got themselves into some sticky moments. The production was well lead by Sam Winer, a veteran of the Dolphin.

Brian O’Conner shared his extensive experience as a Director bringing us “Why Me?”, taking a whimsical look at married life, and how redundancy can affect a relationship.

Back to bureaucracy, with John Kelleher, and "A Rise in the Market”. Here the incumbent Common Market President finds several of his chickens coming home to roost!

Lesley Locke directed the award winning production “Laying The Ghost” looking at the daily activities of the residents of a home for retired thespians having their lives spiced up with the comings and goings of a ghost or two.

With “Forget Me Knot” Janelle Bish showed her skills making her debut as a Dolphin director, giving us a hard working cop who everyone was trying to mislead.

To add an international touch Sue Moncrieff-Driscoll researched and found a play written in Canada - "Bedtime Stories". This was an episodic comedy where six seemingly different stories all moved to be interlocked.

We extend a very warm and sincere Thank You to each of the directors and the talented casts and crews. Again it was good to have a number of newcomers who all appreciated the warmth and support given to a production at the Dolphin.

This proved to be a very happy year of plays resulting in good financial returns because of the support given in controlling production costs.

At the AGM in 2007 it was decided to increase the size of our Management Committee to 13. We then divided up into four Sub-Committees, who met in early May and set their goals for the year and then worked through those, meeting as required but reporting monthly to the general committee.

Reports on their activities:-

The PLAYREADING/PRODUCTIONS Sub-Committee

This had 6 members led by John Kelleher. They were responsible for choosing the plays to be staged in 2008, and who would be directors. Would there be a theme around the shows, which is the best slot for each play and director. A large number of plays were read, and much debating until the final choice was presented to the full committee.

The audition process is also a key task, with support given to director and actors. Along with other theatres in the Auckland region we have found that auditions are not being well attended. Directors are finding they need to make a lot of personal contact with potential persons to fill roles. This does not mean that we are pre-casting.

The Production Manual which has continued to be our policy document to be followed through the production process has continued to live and grow with many changes being made, most of that as a result of discussions which take place at Debrief sessions at the conclusion of each production.

In the past year I have met with Directors and given copies of the manual to Director and Production Assistant before Audition and Production Meetings have taken place. We have found that where the manual is followed few problems arise.

The MARKETING and PUBLICITY Sub-Committee

This had 5 members led by Sue Moncrieff-Driscoll. Maintaining Membership and Audience is a critical task. The first task Sue tackled with enthusiasm was to give the Web-Site a major revamp and face lift which has included the introduction of photographs.

The Microsoft Publisher programme was purchased, and the “Stage Newsletter” was reformatted and produced by Janelle.

We had to get a new supplier for the signs on the Photo Board in the foyer, and there has been mixed reaction to those.

They then took a good hard look at advertising and have done a lot of research over the year on the value we get for the dollar spent. Research tells us the web is most effective in attracting potential actors, then the “Stage” and word of mouth. For auditions we continue to advertise in local papers, emails, and have tried “The Aucklander”.

Show advertising is covered by a Poster in the foyer [these are often reproduced and distributed by cast and crew] and previous programme; the “Stage”; in local papers, Community News, Business Association newsletters, Street signs, plus we put up boards in 6 different libraries with photo and programme displays. We also have our annual programmes and calendars, our own email plus one produced by Stuart Bradbury with a wide distribution. Word of mouth is also great advertising and we get good coverage in that from the Senior Citizens and Gala groups.

The FRONT of HOUSE Sub-Committee

This had 5 members led by myself. To convey the feeling of warmth and spirit that is “The Dolphin” is our key task. With four persons covering the box office, six covering the bar, and numerous active members assisting with FOH duties we are a committed and dedicated team - and to organise all the food and Bar stocks is no mean feat.

During the year we changed to bottled wine for Opening night and Gala drinks. We purchased a Bar fridge; organised a Mid-Winter dinner with a French theme; hosted a very successful cocktail evening which gave us an opportunity to say “Thank You” to All our wonderful volunteers - and we hosted the Awards Night.

The THEATRE MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee

This had six members led by John Kelleher.

Lighting:- Phillip Dexter is often found working quietly on his own and has continued to implement the plan he presented in 2006, with ongoing maintenance and replacement of equipment and wiring. He has presented a full plan of the lighting layout, and a data record of ALL lighting stock. His advice to us is, there should be little need to hire or purchase further equipment for some time, and recommended we moved to the use of energy saver bulbs as they are replaced.

Sound:- Ricard Kelly has implemented the replacement of sound equipment including an upgrade of the computer and software. There were some teething problems while operators familiarised themselves with new systems.

While attention has for some time focused on the potential building extensions, some maintenance had been neglected. John and I did a thorough inspection of the site early in the year and made a list of repairs and maintenance requirements to be prioritised by the Sub-Committee.

The air conditioning continued to give ongoing problems and John has put in a lot of time with Climatech, and much funds have been invested in an attempt to get the problem sorted.

We replaced our plumbing contractor with the aim of better service.

Storage areas were reviewed and persons made responsible to bring about improvements.

Actions taken include:

Wardrobe Supervisor Diana White led a team to have a major sort and review of storage in this area. New standardised hangers were purchased. Excess furs for disposal identified, and vintage clothing stored.

Properties Supervisor Sheila Summers and her team have sorted, then stored and labelled our properties in new containers that were purchased. They have also spent many hours setting up a data base and recording all the props that are available.

Basement Supervisor Norman Fairley put in a lot of solo hours sorting and cleaning this area. By doing this, he has been able to recycle much equipment and mix paints to reduce production costs.

Furniture and Soft Furnishings have been overseen by John Kelleher with a number of persons assisting to tidy as the need arose. Storage becomes an issue when equipment is not stored correctly at the end of productions.

Health and Safety

THE BUILDING EXTENSION PROJECT.

During his Presidency in 2003 Bryan Nicholson began talks with the Auckland City Council around the possible lease of the strip of land along our boundary. These discussions, which moved to negotiations, continued through John’s Presidency for me to inherit. John and Bryan have continued to lead this project through various phases of Planning, Design, and Resources consent processes. We have Architectural Plans drawn up, all sorts of structural land and building reports, and we have considerable finance toward the project, but as yet the land has not been released.

Modern Councils have become more painstaking in their attention to detail around land than occurred when these buildings were first sited here, and so we are having to unravel mistakes made in the past. Many of us are determined that this year we will find a way forward, or review the project. Thanks to Bryan and John for the considerable efforts they have invested in this project!

GENERAL COMMENTS

THANK YOU

I wish to give my personal and sincere thanks:-

To ALL the committee who have given their time and talents in a variety of ways over the past year. With special mention of Sue, John, Helen and Gwen, you have given me wisdom and strength.

To Janelle who is not seeking re election for the contribution she has made to the Theatre through Acting, P.A., Directing and the Newsletter.

To Ricard who is leaving the committee, but will continue his contribution as a Director and Sound Advisor.

To Shailer, Jeni, Dimitri, Norman, Annie and Alan our other committee members. We value the contribution each of you has made.

To Gwen, for your memory, reminders and attention to detail in the membership area.

To all those very talented persons who Directed, Acted, Designed, Stage Managed, Built and Painted Set or assisted back stage on productions.

To those who gave their time to make the Dolphin a welcoming place in Front of House.

To John, for taking on the responsibility of Theatre Administrator, and overseeing the numerous repairs and maintenance details.

To those who willingly loaned precious furniture, props, clothing etc.

To Bill and Helen Stillwell, who do a fantastic job with the Booking Service.

To Bryan Nicholson who is the Gala Night Convenor.

To Caughey Preston for the fabulous suppers.

To all who helped organise the Awards night - we had really positive feedback on the evening.

To John, I walked this path with you for three years. Thank you for being beside me in this role, and for covering things through the day when I was not available.

To all the membership of the Dolphin thank you for being there, we do not take you for granted, we value you, your comments, and support.

Thank you for supporting me as your President through 2007, it has been a privilege and a challenge.

Sherrill Allen

President