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AT Newsflash
January 2001

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a good vacation. Here is your January Newsflash. READ IT CAREFULLY! There is some very important information in there. I don't have a way to put a calendar up yet but I am working on it. By the way, if anyone has Stevie's e-mail address , coulsd you please pass it on to me? The one I have isn't working.


Well, there you go, see you Wednesday!


Awareness Theatre upcoming events for January 2001


New Years Resolutions?


Well, I guess it is that time again. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are now stoked with the energy and emotion that the holiday season and the start of a new year can bring. Of course since it is a new year it is time for those New Year's resolutions.


Now I don't know about you people but I usually have a hard time accomplishing my resolutions past a couple weeks. However I have noticed that if you let people know about your resolutions they are pretty good at reminding you of them, making it that much easier to follow them (because of course they won't let you forget them. So I guess I will hedge my bets and let you know of some of my resolutions and you can keep me on track. Then you can hopefully let me know some of yours and I'll do them same for you.


For me, I resolve to put extra effort into getting you people more timely information about shows rehearsals and the like. I also resolve to put an extra effort into contacting our "missing in action" people, or those who are interested in participating but haven't been showing up. Not to try and make them come, but to find out why they aren't and to try and do something about those reasons. I also resolve to be better at practicing what I preach in terms of some of my "sarcastic" wit (meaning I want to back off of it. See, I know for myself it is something I do when I am uncomfortable with praise or showing honest concern. Since I want to encourage people to feel good about themselves and share praise with one another, I need to practice this myself better than I have.) I also resolve to get into some kind of health regimen so that I can shed those unhealthy pounds I have accumulated and return to a better and healthier form. And I resolve to better deserve the sobriquet (look it up) you people have bestowed upon me. Meaning I plan on being available to you should you need me, to honestly listen and provide whatever help I am capable of, or is available. My house, my phone, and my heart are open to you (and yes, Joni said it is okay.) Oh yeah, and I promise to work on my timeliness to rehearsals and pickups.


Well, there are mine, what about you? Attendance? Disruptions? Attention? Practice? Involvement? Smiling faces? Projection? Bringing your book? I think we could all dedicate ourselves to treating our involvement with this group like the golden opportunity it can be, for ourselves, our troupe-mates, and our audiences. Sound like a resolution?


Rehearsals
Rehearsals start the second week of January. Due to planning week at the Council, we are looking at starting on the following days at the following times:


Fredonia: Tuesday, January 9, 4-6:30
Harvest Chapel
(After this Tuesday we will go back to Mondays unless people wish to change the day and let me know)


Jamestown: Wednesday, January 10, 4-7
Boys and Girls Club


As mentioned above, we may change Fredonia rehearsals but only if there is sufficient interest. That means a possible change in day, time, and place depending on what the north county people (Dunkirk, Fredonia, Brocton, Westfield, Silver Creek, Forestville) decide. We will discuss it at the first rehearsal on Tuesday.


We are also planning on using this month to really get people up to speed on the topics and issues. We haven no shows set for January and we are keeping it that way. We really need to get everyone prepared with the information and with their skills. What that means is, we need EVERYONE to come to rehearsals prepared to use the time effectively.


To help you in doing this, we are offering some incentives. First, you will have my and you troupe-mates undying gratitude for you effort. Second, we are offering an overnight later in the month (see the later article) and rehearsal time will go towards, well, "something" that will take place there. We are also trying to set aside a group of tickets for a performance by Mummenshanz (see later article) Jamestown in February. Points will be awarded for getting to go . Just how we're doing this yet I'm not sure but we'll do something. So come!


Objectives Just as we mentioned it is the time for New Year's resolutions, it is also time we got around to setting our objectives for the year. These objectives are one of the ways we measure how well we Awareness Theatre does what we wanted it to. At the end of the year in July, we look at our objectives and see how we did. If we reached much of what we wanted we did well. If we didn't reach them, we look to see why not and try to improve on it.


There are a number of objectives the troupe as a whole has to achieve, you should have gotten that sheet early in the year when we started. But we also try to have some objectives for each of us as individuals, things we want to achieve for ourselves.


Over the next couple weeks we will help you to look at setting up five objectives for yourself. These are five thing you would like to accomplish between now and the end of June. They can be something to do with AT and performance, or something outside the troupe. But they should be something of a stretch and something that will benefit you our others. So be thinking now about what you'd like to achieve.


Upcoming Perfs
Hi there. Remember how I said there weren't any performances this month? Well, I seem to have been mistaken. As I was writing this I got two requests for rather important shows. They shouldn't take a lotto mount, but they are important none the less.


The first is on January 18th and will take place in the evening at Persell Middle School in Jamestown. It is for the Home, Schools, Community Advisory Board. They would like us to do some selections from the play to help members of the board understand maybe where kids are coming from.


The second is on January 25th at the Reg Lenna for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. They would like us to do some kind of showcase thing, music piece or cutting from the play, to show people what we do.


Also, on Wednesday January 10th, we will have visitors to rehearsal. The Community Foundation will be sending some representatives to talk with us and observe us to decide if they want to fund us and if so, how much. They will talk with me from 3:30 to 4 and then observe us and talk with AT members. So be ready!


Teams to Get Moving
Each year we set up different teams to handle some of the things that need to be dealt with in AT. With the fall being as busy as it was we didn't get much time to work on them. This means that some teams have gotten behind or haven't even gotten a chance to start working yet. We will be working to change that in the coming weeks.


Each team is made up of members from the troupe. They work together to make certain things happen by certain times. This year the teams are as follows:


Awards Night: This team is charged with preparing and running the annual Awards ceremony to be held in June. We need to get moving fast on this one as we always get caught short and it takes a lot of preparation. We also want to be sure to get invitations out to important people as soon as possible to be sure they have time to set aside the date. Originally Andrew Byrne asked to lead this group but with his job we don't know if he'll be able to.


Recognition team: This team was charged with coming up with a system of recognition for service to the troupe. People in the troupe work very hard and some them work at it for years. This group was to come up with a way to recognize that effort and encourage more if it by a system of rewards.


Special projects: This group is charged with looking at planning or developing some type of special project during the year. It can be a special production, a special community event, a public awareness campaign, whatever they can bring to mind.


Video production team: This group is supposed to come up with a plan and a working form of a video used to promote AT. It can be aimed at recruitment, fund raising, or just general knowledge.


Fund raising: This group is to come up with some plans to raise money to help support our efforts. We haven't had the need for this group in the past, but it is becoming more and more important as time goes by. Angela Kelley had a neat idea but I don't think she was serving as team leader, yet.


Overnight: This team is charge with planning and running the troupe overnight towards the end of January. They will help arrange for the building, set the date, decide on events and schedules, and will arrange for guest speakers and chaperones. This team really needs people and needs to move NOW! Lindsay Olsen had expressed an interest in working this team. She'll be a good choice.


While not necessarily teams we are also looking for some representatives to two groups.


Council Youth Board Representatives: These people are very important to AT and the Council. They serve as youth representatives to let the Council know what young people think of policies, programs and initiatives the Council comes up with. We have two representatives from each end of the county. They attend meetings on Wednesdays once every two months. At This point Danielle Donelson and Kristen Paduano are South County representatives and Lianna Smith-Murphy is our North County representative. Lianna hasn't been to rehearsal lately however and since that is a prerequisite for the position we don't know if she is still interested in holding it.


Tobacco Coalition youth representatives: These people attend a monthly meeting of the Tobacco coalition to give their insight as local youths into the plans of the group. Meetings are on a Wednesday and are almost always in Jamestown starting at 3:15.


We will take some time at the first rehearsal to figure who is on what team and t give each team some early time to meet and plan. Please get involved and work to make your team work. These are the things that can really make your time here special, and also look good on a resume. Troupe members are limited to membership in two teams, but since we have so many members, I may change that to one. We'll see how it goes.


Overnight
As we mentioned above we are planning on running another overnight to help its members get to know one another and learn more about the intricacies of being in AT. We have a couple of special guests lined up and John has even consented to present a special performance. Many people seem to be doubting his abilities as a performer lately (you know how it is, people get old and they start to exaggerate their history) so he has consented to try and prove his ability.


There is no set date yet but it is looking like the first friday/Saturday in December may be a possibility. Lindsay Olsen has expressed an interest in helping set up the "day". If anyone is interested in helping her please contact John or Lindsay.


Contacting John
, It is time to run that number or series of numbers again which will help you get in touch with John, the Director. (You know, beard, backpack, small amount of hair on the top of his head, drives a or a van with two frogs in the window) Here are the numbers:


HOME: 488-2623


OFFICE: 664 -3608 ext. 225


MOBILE: 499-4608


E-MAIL: phloid59@hotmail.com


These are the numbers. If you need them please use them!


Elections
As we mentioned before we left for vacation, Amanda Spencer and Angela Kelley have reached the end of their term as co-leaders for the Jamestown troupe. As such it is time to select a new set of co-leaders. We will do so at rehearsal on the 10th. Those nominated are as follows:


Heidi Matteson
Heather Green
Danielle Donelson
Mary Zdrojewski
Sheridan Smith
TJ Taylor


When you decide, consider a few things: These are the people you are selecting to lead you and serve as your representatives to the community. They should be people you respect, people you are willing to follow, and people who will serve you well as leaders and representatives.


There was a request from several of the nominees. They want you to remember that they are there to lead, for you. You choose them, and as such you are agreeing to do as they say. There is no excuse for ignoring them or not following. Any problems and they have the right to ask you to leave.


The Play
For those who might not know, and that could be just about all of you considering who did and didn't show up, the Play that some of us were working on so hard, had it's premiere in December and it went very well. It was a shame so many of you missed it. Not because of what it said, or because you missed some truly fine work by your teammates (although both are true) but because your friends were counting on you for your support and you weren't there. What message does it send if our own group won't support itself?


So if you'll pardon me, I'd like to say congratulations to those of you who worked so hard and gave so much of yourselves for all of us. I was very proud of you. To the rest of you I'd like you to know I am very disappointed, and I hope for better in the future.


Mummenshanz
As we were putting the play together we looked at different Theatre forms and a group that was mentioned was a group named "Mummenshanz". It is very hard to describe this group, and I can't tell you who they are like because they are one of a kind. But many of you seemed interested when we talked about them. Well, I can now say that they are coming to the Reg Lenna in Jamestown on February 14th. I have asked that 20 tickets be set aside for us. That is "set aside" not purchased. They will hold these for us up until a week from the performance. It is up to all of us to pay for those seats. They are $13.95 each.


All of you interested in attending are asked to sign up with me. We will save you a seat as long as you have earned it. What that means is, as long as you are participating and working hard at rehearsals we will do what we can to get you there (except pay for your seat). If you don't, we will bump you for someone who is working hard. If we get all of you doing a great job and all of you want to attend we will ask that more seats be set aside. We even have some possibilities for chaperones of you parents are interested.


This is truly a great chance to see some really different Theatre. Once you see them, you'll never forget them. So let me know.


Council Forum
One of the things that has come out of the Council looking at the Akron report is the idea that maybe a forum should be held between the AT students and the Council staff to see what you think could be done to improve the prevention efforts of the Council. A time frame hasn't been set yet, but early January was mentioned as a possibility (the Council does its planning for the early part of the year then). We also don't have any ideas as to how to run it yet, so if you have any ideas, let John know.


Special Shows?
There is the possibility down the road for some special shows. We have been asked if we would do the play for the county or for the Arts Council, or for the community at large again. We do know we are working to do it for St. James Youth Groups and Parents as a way of stimulating discussion. We had also talked with the Dunkirk Police Department about doing some kind of training for their officers. We have even looked at teaming with them to do some pieces on assault or fights.


We are looking at other possibilities too. Angela has a murder mystery which we might be able to use as a fund raiser. The idea of some short "Shakespearean" pieces has been mentioned, either as a fundraiser or as a summer kind of thing. Pieces put together for tours to the playgrounds was also mentioned and is possible. If you have ideas, bring them up! The only limitation is our being able to find performers willing to do them. Are you willing to give it a try?


People In the News
Panama is having their Play on January 12 and 13th (I believe) I'm not sure who all is involved so if I miss someone please forgive me. I know Melissa, Danielle, Dave and Tyler are in it. I seem to recall hearing that possibly Heather and Jessica R. are in it as well. Did I miss anyone or make a mistake?


Some folks from Jamestown are in the JHS musical. Again I'm not exactly sure who. I think I remember Chelsea, Amanda, and Mary?


There are even rumors that a bearded one may be taking to the stage shortly. We'll have to see about that though. (It is still an unconfirmed rumor!)


Theme for the Year?
Yep, we're still short of a theme for the year. Something we can aim ourselves at and say this is what the year is about for us. It can be a song, a quote, a concept, whatever the group chooses. But we need it by the end of the month. So get thinking!


T-Shirts (Again!)
Some of us are still short of performance shirts. We used to try and set it up so that anyone who did a show got their shirt, sort of as a way of recognizing their ascension to performer status. Of course with budgets the way they are now I'm not sure we can pay for that many shirts.


We did come up with an alternative however. Those wanting a shirt for performances (and yes, you are supposed to wear them for performances!) can bring in a t-shirt they have or purchased and we will silkscreen the design onto it. To help all of you, I say we set a day for that to happen. Let's say we will hold a shirt-making day on our next training day, which will most likely be the same day as our overnight (1/26-27). So bring your shirts!


A Word on Musicals
Since so many of us are involved in school musicals it is probably a good idea to try and get some things said about being involved in AT and a musical.


First, I am glad you are involved in the musical. It is something special for all of you and I am very glad when I can come and see you on stage. Makes me proud.


Second, it is a big commitment of time. You need to remember that when signing up for AT things. Don't commit to an AT performance if you are unsure of how it will balance with the school musical. It is unfair to the musical which is counting on you, and unfair to us, who are counting on you.


Along those lines, remember that we are counting on you. Even if you are not doing shows for us, you are required to come to rehearsal. We need you there to learn the information and to help you teammates prepare for their shows. I will work as best I can to work with your directors in getting you to their rehearsals, but you need to remember your commitment to us as well. When you sign up for a show, let your director know about your AT schedule. They need to know so they can plan appropriately. It is your responsibility to let them, and me know what you are doing.


Lastly, remember your health. It doesn't help you to be working like made at school, doing AT shows, doing the musical, working a job, and getting sick as a result. Remember that they are all big drains on energy so you need to pace yourself. If you get sick you don't help anyone, especially considering that colds fly around a set like wildfire once people start to get tired.


And even though I said that above was last, remember this too, let us know when you go on so we can come and see you! We love to have a big group cheering from the audience!


*A Special Note*
Every once in a while something happens that reminds us just how lucky we are and how important others are to us. And sometimes how important we are to others. Unfortunately these things usually only happen once in a while, and usually they are tied to something unfortunate. So while I am thinking of this I want to take a moment to tell you what you mean to me.


I am very thankful that I have the job I do because it lets me meet and associate with people like all of you. Sometimes we take things like this for granted, I know I have. So I wanted to let you know that I really like you people. You make me laugh, you make me proud, you keep me young. Yes, there are times when it seems the opposite, but it is only because you mean so much to me.


A kind word can mean a lot to someone. I think that is why I have such a problem with all those "forwards" people use in their e-mail. The "kind words" become very impersonal, kind of empty, because while the person might mean what they send, it isn't their words. It isn't them taking the time to really say something. And so with along with all those other resolutions, I resolve to work harder at letting you know how important you are, to all of us.


So I want to tell you now that I feel lucky to work with you, fortunate to know you, and blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for sharing your time with me and allowing me into your life. I figure that if it is really true, that our wealth is measured in the people we call friends, then I am one of the wealthiest people in the world. Thank you.


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