Full Court Press

Hi Everybody,

Duncan C suggested that we need a Full Court Press this month. So, we will need to know what everyone else is doing to make one of these Presses. This is site is a way of knowing that.

It is also possible to get ideas from what other people are doing and find unexepected ways of making connections.

This is only a sampling of what I know - please feel free to add other items as you think they are relevant.

To keep this site open and productive, this blog is designed for the Board of Directors of The Montgomery Theatre and the senior staff (me, Geoff and Laurel). We want everyone to feel free to post whatever they need to here - and that may sometimes be sensitive. So lets agree not to share this web address with anyone except this board. That is, of course not enforcable, so please to be careful anyway.

Today, Tuesday May 5th, this is what happened:

Wednesday's Rotary Meeting is set, we have a wireless connection set up and Laurel and I will sell tickets there (7am - 8:15).

Duncan C has overseen an application for Rotary support - the content of the letter below.

Gracie has pitched to 10 ad buyers including Dorions Landscaping

Cheryl Wagner has pitched to several ad buyers including Raymond Loo and several Real Estate companies.

Arnold has contacted the Hunter River United Church to suggest a fundraiser evening at the Theatre.

Dico is updating and troubleshooting the box office as we are getting a little traffic.

Member Donna Weildon called from New York to send $100 and tell us what a great job we were doing.

Thom and Heather MacMillan dropped in to say they loved the "Have you bought your tickets yet" line under our signatures at The Montgomery Theatre

Kathy was greeted with congratulations at the Credit Union when she did todays deposits - they heard the theatre promoted on SPUD FM -cheering crowd saying what a great job we were doing

The resort Municipality and Kensington Chamber of Commerce have sent out our Online Box Office announcement to their email addresses

Maxine will include our brochures on her Mothers Day set up.

Duncan M approached Walter Clark Insurance in Kensington who was interested.

There is lots and lots more. Will write tomorrow.

Dear Rotary Members,

Last year our community was inspired by the 100th anniversary of the publication Anne of Green Gables to honour our most famous citizen, L. M. Montgomery. Local Cavendish residents and businesses, the municipal council and tourism association created A Theatre to present plays from Life and Times of L. M. Montgomery.

This ongoing non-profit community resource provides international-standard professional theatre for residents and visitors, students of all ages and arts lovers from around the world who visit us in the summer.

We renovated the 128 year old Long River Church attended by Montgomery in the summers into a 200 seat fully functional theatre in which to perform our plays.

The productions help our audience appreciate the depth and breadth of Montgomery’s influence on literature, culture and art and her deep belief in the importance of investing in community.

Our goal is to lift our hearts when we realize that we come from this great legacy.

Our operating funding was entirely provided by the Cavendish community (individual and businesses) and box office receipts. Theatre operations broke even in the first year. Our renovations incurred a one time debt of $40K which has been financed by the generosity and community spirit of our creditors.

In our second season, we have created a student education with Bluefield school ongoing since last September; a seniors/artist collaboration with the Star of the Sea Seniors club ongoing since last January and an internship program for 10 high school and university students to be mentored by professional artists beginning in June.

Federal and provincial Government funding structures have changed once again making financing for our enterprise extremely slow. We are completely reliant on community business partners and ticket sales to continue for all our work.

We respectfully request your support for our cause. A donation of $2000 could be exchanged for tickets, advertising or special projects of your choice. Tickets could be used to raise funds in support Rotary goals or be given to worthy individuals to attend our theatre.

Rotary has always led the community with the idea of service above self. Your contribution of a great example and a donation will allow The Montgomery Theatre to flourish for another season while helping other groups reach their goals at the same time.

"But it ain't our feelings we have to steer by through life--no, no, we'd make shipwreck mighty often if we did that. There's only the one safe compass and we've got to set our course by that--what it's right to do." Anne’s House of Dreams, L M Montgomery

Respectfully submitted
Laurel Smyth,
Sales and Sponsorship Coordinator,
The Montgomery Theatre