GMU Players Newsletter March 22, 2003 "It's time to put on makeup, it's time to light the lights..." CONTENTS: I. SPRING SHORTS ONE-ACT FESTIVAL THIS WEEK II. STUDIO PROPOSAL PROCESS & VOTING ELIGIBILITY III. PREMIERING PEN IV. PLAYERS OFFICER ELECTIONS FOR 2003-04 SCHOOL YEAR V. IMPROV JAM SUNDAY NIGHT VI. EVENTS CALENDAR --------------------------------------------- I. SPRING SHORTS ONE-ACT FESTIVAL THIS WEEK The Spring Shorts One-Act Festival runs this week, Wednesday March 26 to Sunday, March 30, in Black Box Theater (PAB A101). Shows are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm. Admission is FREE, but seating is first-come, first-serve. We suggest arriving half an hour before curtain time to ensure getting a seat. Nine pieces from six directors cover the whole gamut of genres from romance to comedy to drama and tragedy. The lineup of plays will rotate for each performance, each "evening" will be between one and a half and two hours, with an intermission. You'll have to come twice to see everything. Directors and pieces for the Shorts Festival are: Sky Adams: "Mechia" by Sky Adams Jessica Basmadjian: 4 shorts by David Ulrich Marisa Davison: "Silences Speak" by Elizabeth W. McKinley Michael Fernandez: "Sign of the Times" by Michael Fernandez Steve Fillmore: "Pillow Talk" by Peter Tolan Ryan Mulkay: "Bell's Used Books" by Ryan Mulkay Please come out and see the wonderful work these actors and directors (and a few techies) are doing! And stay for strike Sunday after the show. ------------------------------------------------------- II. STUDIO PROPOSALS & VOTING ELIGIBILITY As announced earlier, Studio Proposals for the 2003-04 school year are due in the GMU Players mailbox in the Theater Office by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 24. After being checked for completion, proposal materials will go into the Players lounge (PAB A109) for public review. There will be a general Players meeting on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30 in the Players Lounge at which potential directors can pitch their proposals and answer questions. Players members will be able to vote at that meeting or in the Theater Office (PAB 407) until Wednesday, April 9. Studio Proposal forms are available in the bulletin board in the lounge, or email Rachel Sarrano (rsarrano@xxxxxxx) for an electronic copy. WHO CAN VOTE? Remember, voting rights in the Players are earned through participation (no dues anymore) There are 3 ways to qualify for membership: 1) Work on two shows (mainstages or studios) in different capacities. This includes support roles like set construction, light hang and concessions. 2) Work on one show and one other Players-sponsored event, like the Halloween Party or Dionysus Cafe. 3) Make some other significant contribution to the Players that shows long-term commitment to student theater at George Mason, as determined by the Players officers and/or Faculty Advisor. If you are not sure whether you qualify to vote, please review the participation records for shows since 2000 in the white binder in the Players Lounge (PAB 109) or talk to one of the officers BEFORE April 2. Note that you do not need to be a voting member of the Players in order to propose. --------------------------------------- III. PREMIERING PEN Submissions for the Premiering Pen staged readings are due in the GMU Players mailbox in the Theater Office (PAB 407) by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 24. (Yes, the same day studio submissions are due) Any George Mason student is eligible to submit a script. One-act length or shorter scripts are preferred, but longer pieces will be considered if space allows. It is possible to submit a section of a longer work, but such sections should have a recognizable beginning, middle, and end. All scripts must be accompanied by a cover letter and full contact information for the director. Premiering Pen directors will get the chance to direct a staged reading of their script after a short rehearsal proces. Performances will be in early April, exact times TBA. For questions on Premiering Pen, pleast contact Rachel Sarrano (rsarrano@xxxxxxx) ---------------------------------------------- IV. PLAYERS OFFICER ELECTIONS FOR 2003-04 SCHOOL YEAR Elections for next year's Players officers will be held on Monday, April 21 in Black Box. The meeting will start at 7:30. After this year's restructuring, the offices for next year will be a little different. Here's the new breakdown: PRESIDENT- The President is basically responsible for keeping the ball rolling and serving as a CVPA Student Rep (or helping to find someone else to do the job) He/she is also responsible for communicating ideas and problems with the necessary faculty members. STUDENT OUTREACH AND EVENTS COORDINATOR- The person who supports the director of each event by setting dates, booking space, planning budgets with the treasurer and faculty, getting the publicist to spread the word, rounding up volunteers for the director, and speaking with the arts support umbrella about other misc needs (like having someone present during a light hang for the halloween party.) They provide the backbone for most non-production oriented social events. SECRETARY- The Secretary takes notes during Board and General meetings. He or she is responsible for sending meeting notes/newsletters out to fellow board members and/or the GMU Players list. TREASURER- Ensures that all funds are accounted for before and after the run of concessions. They also help the Student Outreach and Events Coordinator come up with a budget for social events, as well as plan or create any fundraisers. The treasurer has the power to create any fundraiser they please, provided they have approval from Clayton. He or she is responsible for the recruitment and training of concession volunteers/other money handlers. PUBLICIST- Responsible for disseminating information and creating a program for each show. They are NOT responsible for the creation of posters or flyers advertising events, auditions, or shows. This is the responsibility of the the events director or show director, NOT the publicist. HISTORIAN- The historian heads up a smaller sub-committee composed of those seeking to preserve the production process on video or through photographs. They may also communicate with alumni, ensure that copies of each show's script make it into the Theater Department's library record, and that previous archives are labeled and appropriately displayed or stored away. Finally, the historian keeps tabs on everyone who has done work for the GMU Players. A master list helps to establish whether or not each student has worked in some capacity on two projects, and is valid for GMU Player membership and voting rights. Some offices (especially Publicist and Historian) may also have assistant positions, which will be filled on a volunteer/appointment basis. The same voting eligibility rules that apply to studios apply to officer elections, and voting will be possible at the April 21 meeting and afterwards through Debbie Williams in the Theater office. Anyone wishing to run for office may announce their candidacy in two ways: 1) In person at the April 21 meeting 2) Alternately, email Secretary Jim Maiwurm (jmaiwurm@xxxxxxx) by Monday, April 14 with your name, the office you want to run for, relevant experience, and anything else you'd like to say to the Players. Jim will send out a special newsletter with all the "campaign" information and post it in the lounge. ----------------------------------------- V. IMPROV JAM SUNDAY NIGHT The next all-CVPA improv jam will be Sunday night from 8-10 pm in the JC Dance Studio. Come and join other students from theater, music, dance, and visual arts in free-form improvization. See flyers around the PAB for more info. --------------------------------------- VI. EVENTS CALENDAR: March 23: Improv Jam from 8-10 pm in the JC Dance Studio March 24: 2003-04 Studio Proposals and Premiering Pen Submissions due in the Theater Office March 26-30: Spring Shorts One Act Festival In Black Box. Wed-Sat nights at 8 pm, Sat-Sun afternoon at 2 pm. Lineup for each night TBA -------- April 2: Pitches and start of voting for 2003-04 studio series plays in Black Box at 7:30 April 17-27, "Look Homeward Angel" runs in Theaterspace Thurs.-Sat at 8 PM, Sat.-Sun. at 2 PM April 21: Players officer elections for 2003-04 year. -------- May 5: Last Day of classes ------------------------------------------ If you have questions or comments about anything in this newsletter (or items that you'd like included in the next newsletter), please call/email the person listed for each item or contact Secretary Jim Maiwurm at jmaiwurm@xxxxxxxx Do NOT reply directly back to the listserv, your email won't get anywhere. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! 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