2009 Batavia Players

Report of the President

February 13, 2010

 

I am proud and pleased to once again address the membership and Board of Directors of the Batavia Players, Inc.  2009 was a year of tremendous excitement and wonderful and creative productions.  We once again achieved the impossible by providing five full length productions, all of which were cast with extremely talented men, women and children.  We also took advantage of the talents of many craftsman and designers, adding new people to our ranks and providing quality-theater for the entire Western New York area.  Over 2400 people attended our shows in 2009 and they were treated to exceptional stage experiences.  Over 130 actors graced our stages from seven counties and even one from California.   We truly continue to be rich and blessed with wonderful talent.

This year we were able to redesign and develop a new program for handling our finances and have partnered with a new accountant, auditor and computer program that better reflects our wants and needs.   We have established for the first time acceptable accounting practices that will be used for all of our shows in the future.  We also have contracted with an on-line ticket purchase company that allows patrons to purchase tickets by computer and select their own seats.  I am happy to report that as of this writing, our financial and sales applications are in excellent order.  My thanks to all those that made that possible.

We started the year with the wonderfully developed Shakespeare in Springtime Production of Comedy of Errors.  The appeal of the show was heightened by the wonderful creative work of many people.  Envisioned by Director Jane Burk, costumes were designed in Kabuki Colonial Japanese style by Beth Ann Hooker and Deborah Graff and the amazing rotating set designed and built by Kevin Partridge was amazing.  Kevin also shared the lead in A Comedy of Errors with another Board Member, Matt Mayne.  This Shakespeare Comedy was well received and beautiful to behold.  We should be extremely pleased that we regularly produce Shakespeare and do it with style and professionalism.

In May we had scheduled “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe” and due to technical and casting issues, we were not able to stage the play.  Immediately we worked to cast another classic Broadway Theater Success and staged “The Lion In Winter”, a classic theater piece that had a remarkable cast of seven including:  Kevin Partridge, Lynda Hodgins, Jesse Conklin, Anthony Giambrone, James Earl, Rachel Oshlag and Jared Morgan.  Designed by myself with costumes by Deborah Graff and help from Michele Stamp and Emily Conable we were able to put this show on the Middle School Stage in five weeks.  It was also Directed by Jane Burk.  We thank all involved with making this show a success.

Summer Youth Theater arrived with a HUGE cast, over 250 Costumes and its wonderful excitement.  We increased the amount of volunteers that worked with the production and once again called on the talents of Beth Ann Hooker to costume the show.  Our cast hailed from six different counties and they worked so hard to put THE WIZ on the Batavia High School Stage.  It was the first use of our new ticket system and we had wonderful reports with the system.  Showtix.com was a wonderful addition to Batavia Players.  There are never enough words to adequately thank all those that put so much time and effort into making this summer show a success.  THE WIZ was amazing with tons of color and magic.  If I start naming names we will be here for hours.  I am always so grateful to the volunteers, parents and children that come together to provide this area with what I am certain has become the premiere theatrical event of the year.   I am so proud of this effort year after year.  You all make me so proud.  My appreciation to the entire Board of Directors and a special thank you to Jeffrey Fischer for once again being a wonderful Musical Director. 

This year our One Acts in September were all written by Thorton Wilder.  It allowed young talent as well as seasoned veterans to work together and brought some first time actors to the Batavia Players Stage as well as some first time directors. Once again this was adjudicated by TANYS and resulted in an Award of Merit in Acting to be bestowed on Maryssa Pierick.   This was the second year in a row that this show was awarded acting awards.  Performed at Batavia High School, the audiences were thrilled with the shows and once again supported the event.

Holiday Time brought us our version of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.  I so enjoyed using this great classic to celebrate the holidays.  It is always tradition that we pass the kettle and ask our patrons to donate to the Salvation Army Kettle Drive.  This year we donated over $850 to the Salvation Army.  Thirteen actors took to the stage and with the help of  Musical Director Deanna Spiotta and our wonderful Accompanists Kathy White, we were able to produce one of our best efforts to date.  It was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and it also was a conduit that has brought us new members, actors and supporters.  It is clear to see why we have had such a remarkable year.

From the technical aspect of theater we were able to increase and improve our sound with 8 new microphones as well as many costumes and set pieces.  In late December we started what will be our most ambitious project to date.  We signed the lease on what is currently being transformed into our new theater space complete with a small Black Box Theatre, rehearsal space and a proper working Costume Shop.  We were able to negotiate a reasonable lease with the Batavia Industrial Center and start our successful to date Pledge Drive.  I would be remiss if I did not thank our outgoing Board of Directors.  My gratitude to Seana Logsdon, Beth Hofmaster and Bob Rudman.

In closing, I am thankful to all that have added to our success this year and while it was trying at times and sometimes unpredictable we were able to provide professional, innovative and wonderful theater for our audiences.  Make no mistake, our success is not in the money we make or the shows that we stage, our success is in the people that we touch and the eyes that we open and the opportunities that we provide.  While I believe we are indeed a rare breed in New York State, It is  perhaps even more unique because of our hearts and all that we accomplish together.  In closing, I would like to thank my family, Jane, Sara, Alex & Samantha, Nicholas, Monique & Dempsey, Jennifer & Rieley, Caryn, Malloryann and Peter.  I can honestly say that they ALL are an amazing part of this life and the ride that we have taken as a family.  To my dearest friends, fellow board members and to my family I once again thank you for the opportunity to be the  President of Batavia Players..  I could not be more proud of each and every one of you and all that we have created.  Onto our most successful year yet, the 2010 Season and our New Theater.