Spring Greetings! Spring Article
Spring Greetings!
The Minnewaska Theatre Arts Association held its 2025 Annual Board Meeting on April 1, 2025. There was discussion and review regarding the general status of the organization. No bylaw changes were proposed. Board terms were reviewed. The following current board members, who were eligible for another term, were re-elected: Sarah Grew, Ted Halvorson, and Eric Randleman. Although she intends to stay active in the organization as much as possible, board member Ann Grandy’s busy life makes it necessary for her to step down as a board member at this time. Thanks, Ann, for your incredible support of the organization. Jeff Iverson was elected to the open position.
Welcome Jeff!
The Minnewaska Showstoppers regular monthly meeting was held after the annual meeting. During this meeting, Mandy Recker was elected president; Nick Helgaas, vice president; Eric Randleman, treasurer; and Jes Baggett, secretary.
Focused work for the organization at this time includes website work, regional grant applications, and the July production. Regional artistic grants are very important to our organization. Through a grant making organization, there is an application, review, and award process. A grant-making organization is an entity, like a foundation, corporation, or government agency, that provides financial support to other organizations, projects, or initiatives, typically to support charitable or public-good causes. Showstoppers has used grant funding for things such as set materials, practice tracks/rehearsal materials, advertising/marketing materials, and lights and sound equipment.
It is scholarship time at Minnewaska Area High School. Showstoppers received and reviewed eleven scholarship applications. A decision was made to award two three-hundred-dollar scholarships. We will hold off on the announcement of the scholarship winners until after scholarship night at the high school.
If you have been following our articles, you are aware that the summer show will be Disney’s Newsies. This is the tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged boys that sell and distribute newspapers. When publishing titans raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right. We are excited to work toward the production of this popular show. Auditions will be held in the MAHS choir room May 16-17 and May 20 with call backs May 22. Stay tuned for audition times.
As you can see, there is a lot happening in our organization. All this activity presents opportunity for involvement. If you have an interest, contact us through our website or any board member.
Respectfully submitted,
Mavis Pattee, Board Member
