June 15, 2024 Minutes

9:00 AM
Nathan Schreier Residence

Call To Order:

Nathan S

Roll Call:

Nathan S, Nathan T, Heather, Kelsey, Sharon, Al, Mike, Derek

Approval of previous Minutes:

Motioned: Sharon, second: Mike, unanimously approved

Executive Director Report:

Sound and Video Capabilities of the Rec Center

Jody and I met with Haggerty’s to discuss with them a quote for work done to the theater. We discussed new speakers, a new sound board that would be moved to the light booth but also have the capabilities to connect to an iPad and be able to walk around the theater while controlling sound. There was also discussion of putting a monitor in the light booth to help with the sound problems up there as well as putting speakers in the back hallway and dressing rooms so people backstage can follow along with performances. We also discussed getting a projector mounted in the theater with the capability to connect to it from multiple places in the theater. This could open up some opportunities for multimedia work within our shows. We haven’t received a quote back for all this work, will update the BOD when it does. The work will probably be close in scope to what was recently updated in the Sturgis Rec Center.

Sound Equipment

The Chamber borrowed our sound system for River Fest and a huge thank you to Mike for coordinating with them a pickup time and showed them how to use it. Unfortunately, they were a bit confused and I had to run down to River Fest and make a quick adjustment for them. This does bring up something to be done, I will work up directions and have them in with the sound board for people to be able to troubleshoot. We also may want to think of doing a small charge to provide organizations with someone to run the sound system for them since we loan out the equipment for free. Also, we may want to think of a deposit.

Also, the iPad has gone missing in the theater, I last saw it during the funeral I did in May. No one is sure what happened to it. The Rec Center is working on getting a replacement but to have something in place for the upcoming show, I am going to either reconnect the old sound board that runs without the iPad or use our sound board until a replacement iPad is purchased.

Grants

We were turned down for the Midco Grant again. I can reapply soon and I will do so. I will also be applying to the First Interstate Bank grant in July. I am still waiting to hear back from all other outstanding grant requests. I am thinking I am going to look into getting a grant for around $5,000 for the documentary we have talked about for the 15 Year Anniversary. I will look at grants that we would not normally be able to apply to, project based grants, since this wouldn’t take away from any possible generic grants we could get.

Sponsorships

I was contacted by Highmark here in Belle Fourche and they have become a Patron sponsor for this season which brings our total to $9,500 for the year. I am still waiting for a check from BHFCU, I will continue to reach out to get that in. Mike is also speaking with Hitching Post to see if they would like to sponsor.

Glass Cases

Jody at the Rec Center has been doing some clean up of old displays and took down all of the posters from previous years of BFACT. She has kept all of them, I just need to get them from her. She is good with us putting up a new display there so Anna is helping me get something worked up that will highlight the old but focus more on the past five years of BFACT. Jody also said we can place some things in the other glass case near the gym, I am thinking we will put pictures in here from the upcoming show.

Merch

I am going to try and order some of our merchandise and have on hand to try and sell at the upcoming show. I will purchase only a few of them and see how that goes. We can purchase them from our online store at cost to us and then sell them like we would online. I am curious if people are interested in any of them. I am hoping to produce some new merch over the summer.

Officer Reports:

President
- Predicting $8-$10 printing costs for Murder. Got registered for 4th of July float, will work on finding truck and trailer.
Vice President
- Nothing to report, will do annual report
Secretary
- Nothing to report
Treasurer
- Bank balance $11,992.40
Creative Committee
- Next Season
  - We will be meeting on Monday to try and get more locked down on the possible season for next year. I am wanting to see how the next show goes to help us know how much money we should spend on licensing next year.
- Murder on the Orient Express
  - The show is progressing well and the set is almost built and it is very impressive. There was no longer a good reserve of lumber in the theater so we had to purchase more for this show, but it will be able to be used in other upcoming shows. Mike has been helping me with the social media campaign for the show and he has been doing a great job. The cast went to the 1880 Train on Thursday and Sentel took photos. We will use these photos in upcoming promotions for this show. I have received the donated tickets from the 1880 Train for us to give away, there are 4 in total. I am thinking we just raffle them off as one group, not try and do anything with individual tickets. My thought is we just sell tickets at the show and then draw the winner during the last show.
  - The budget for this show will be $3,140.60. This is due to the high cost of materials to build the large set and adding the fourth performance on the 27. I spoke with Nathan and he was OK if we went a little over to accomplish all of our goals for making this a big show for the year. My hope is we still are in the black at the end of the run.
- Upcoming Season Shows
  - I am going to be working with Tyler on audition dates for the Radio Drama once this show is done as well as start getting things set up for GOAT as well as the Musical.
Public Relations
- Met and got posters out. Continuing to promote on Facebook, will talk to Jody about having popcorn in the theater again.
Volunteer Committee
- Did not meet but doing best to coordinate with Melita to help organize the volunteers for the play. Will work on getting case exit surveys together.
Fundraising Committee
- Called to inquire about having a booth at downtown Thursday nights
15 Year Committee
- Did not meet