COLLECTIVE MONDAY/OPEN BOARD MEETING - MARCH 22, 2010

Monday, March 22nd was the open board meeting preceding the regularly scheduled Collective Monday. Great questions were raised all around and specifically, in terms of how we participate in the feedback sessions on Mondays. We are constantly evolving and learning from each other. If you have an observation for your fellow actor that you feel could be helpful, that is the time to raise your hand. The moderator will let the group know if it's relevant based on the actors goals, so the pressure is off the group at large. Additional details and notes from the meeting are below.

The Collective was also featured in Backstage on March 25th spotlighting groups formed out of acting schools. Click on the image above for the article!

1. State of The Collective:
• We are in the process of formalizing structure and communication - more information to follow in the weeks to come
• Continuing to look for sponsorships - in general and for Collective Comedy
• Fundraising and grant proposals team currently being headed up P. Bonck and M. Houston
  
  
2. 2010 programming agenda:
• 360: latest updates were posted to the blog last week. Those interested in participating in the process will begin meeting this Fri to start WATCHING other successful ensemble films together that may inspire our screenplay.
• C. Zoleff's play reading (TBD)
• Someone Who'll Watch Over Me
• Virgins & Sluts
• Fall production (TBD)
• Women in Comedy Series (TBD)
• First on First - original one-acts and readings (TBD)
• Collective Comedy (TBD)
• Holiday Party (Dec 2010)
  
  
3. Someone Who'll Watch Over Me:
• Space is still TBD; asking all members for any leads and/or suggestions
• Terms for the proposal seeking space - ask Nina or Vic for term sheet template
• Marketing plan to be sent out to membership next week and further details to follow
• First show date - mid-April
• Promotion for show during run; expected to be membership-wide
• Please send any and all questions to V. Dicce, N. Mehta and/or J. Berg
  
  
4. Virgins & Sluts
• First 30-day cycle complete; writers to meet every Monday after Collective Mondays during 2nd 30-day cycle to discuss current submitted works
• Direct all questions to Collective Writers Group
  
  
5. Play Cycle
• The Seagull and Waiting for Lefty (first two plays in cycle) have been mailed out to membership
• If anyone needs a printed copy, please contact either Lisa K. or V. Dicce
  
  
6. Other items for discussion/Misc
• Night of Craig McNulty One-acts (TBD); currently casting parts and looking for directors; please contact B. Parrish for further information and if you are interested in directing
• Night of Pinter (TBD); M. Houston brought up initial proposal; more details to come
• Budgeting for programming - budget model should follow that of past productions: treat as individual events that can be self-sufficient. Proposed revenue for the event (ticket sales, bar, merchandising, fundraising, etc.) should cover proposed expenses.
• Sponsorship (K. Amigone & J. Berg): currently still in development
• Capt Morgan (potential)
• M. Champagne following-up on Geni partnership
• N. Marshall has book/list of current alcohol rep and distributors; will circulate for reference
• Feedback practices for Collective Mondays
• How do we do it? What is the language? Why isn't the groups told the goal(s)?
• Goals aren't revealed because the feedback of the group should be reflective and serve as the "mirror" for the actor working; open from the group and free from any bias by knowing the goal
• Observations are based on what you (the group) sees as a reality; trying to move away from performance based critiques and towards realized behavior
• The language or process shouldn't stifle anyone from giving feedback; It's the moderator's job to focus the feedback and watch for the goal

*Reminder: This Blog will be our main source for communication between the members. Some members brought up that they didn't always check the blog consistently, so we are still investigating the use of message boards for either the Blog or the Website as a way to better communicate with one another, share casting postings, etc. As always, thoughts and suggestions should be sent to:thecollective9@gmail.com or brought up to a board member at any time.

COLLECTIVE MONDAY - MARCH 15, 2010

*Reminder: This Blog will be our main source for communication between the members. Some members brought up that they didn't always check the blog consistently, so we are still investigating the use of message boards for either the Blog or the Website as a way to better communicate with one another, share casting postings, etc. As always, thoughts and suggestions should be sent to:thecollective9@gmail.com or brought up to a board member at any time.

1. OPEN BOARD MEETING: Monday 3/22 at 6pm at 13th Street Rep; Collective Monday follows right after from 7-9pm. This meeting is a time for all in the Collective to come and talk about all things Collective. It is open to all, so come with topics, questions, or suggestions. Or just to hear the latest news. If you are unable to attend, please always know you can send you thoughts, ideas, and questions to: thecollective9@gmail.com and we will be sure to address them.
   
   
2. COLLECTIVE MONDAY PLAY CYCLE: As announced last week, we are beginning our Collective Monday play cycle, lead by Danny O'Shea. This is an opportunity to NEVER be without something to do on Monday. Grab a partner and start working on a scene from one of the two plays currently in rotation. It would be great to see 4 Joe and Edna scenes going at once, or 4 Nina's and Trigorin's, all working for different specific goals. It is also a chance to build the number of plays our company has in our "back pocket." Our first two plays are The Seagull and Waiting for Lefty. An email will be sent shortly with both plays attached (PDF). If you need to request a printed copy (or particular printed scene), please email Vic at: victoria.dicce@gmail.com or Lisa K at: lisak113@gmail.com.
   
   
3. 360 FILM PROJECT: The OPEN Collective meeting for developing 360 into a film is scheduled for THIS Friday, March 19th, from 12pm-2pm at KaneLeiderBerg: 321 West 94th Street, #5E. All are welcome and encouraged to come share ideas for this project.
   
   
4. VIRGINS AND SLUTS: All submissions are in for this first round of Virgins and Sluts. Now the workshop process begins! If you have accepted the challenge, be on the lookout from your V&S Coordinating team soon for more info on this next phase.

360 screenplay development meeting - Friday, March 19th, 12-2pm

As promised, the next and final brainstorming session for the development of the screenplay adaptation of La Ronde, using our stage play "360" as additional source material, will include ALL MEMBERS of The Collective who are interested in participating. At the end of this meeting, we will assign writing teams and those interested in writing the screenplay will convene separately to set their deadlines.

If you have thoughts about "360," "La Ronde," and/or want to participate in the development of the screenplay, the final idea/brainstorming session will be this Friday, March 19th from 12-2pm at KLB (unofficial meeting place of The Collective) on the UWS. Please email thecollective9@gmail.com to confirm your attendance and for meeting location details, if you need them.

COLLECTIVE MONDAY – March 8, 2010

COLLECTIVE MONDAYS:
- The Blog will be our main source for communication between the members. Some members brought up that they didn't always check the blog consistently, so we are investigating the use of message boards for either the Blog or the Website as a way to better communicate with one another, share casting postings, etc. As always, thoughts and suggestions should be sent to: thecollective9@gmail.com or brought up to a board member at any time.
- Danny O'Shea announced the details surrounding the Collective Monday Play Cycle. The goal is to incorporate these works and have members continuously working on the play or parts of the play, building The Collective's mission to develop a strong ensemble and to focus Mondays on craft and development rather than performance.
- The first two plays in this series will be Checkov's The Seagull and Odet's Waiting for Lefty. A PDF of the script will be emailed to members. For more information please contact: thecollective9@gmail.com.
- As we start preparing for the run of Someone and Collective Comedy, we are looking for a sponsor. Jeff and Krista will begin the search for a beverage sponsor to partner with us for upcoming events. As always, if anyone has any leads/ideas please contact: thecollective9@gmail.com.
- Quincy announced the passing of Esper student and grad, Sean Eager. For those of us that worked with or knew Sean, he is survived by his brothers Jason and Christian and his sister Pam Sodaski. Pam is allowing her Facebook page to be a bulletin board of pictures and memories if you would like to add to it or pay your condolences.

SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME:
- The Collective submitted a proposal to the Abrons Arts Center, part of the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side.- Tentative first show date: April 11th.
- The productions model plan is to run on free performances on Sunday evenings, generating revenue via bar/donations. The Collective is applying for an Equity showcase code and securing rights to the play.
- As stated earlier one of the primary goals of this production is to generate buzz and notoriety for The Collective, with the understanding this will be one part in the overall brand-building campaign.
- As the production gets underway, volunteer/job opportunities will be announced.

VIRGINS AND SLUTS:
- Our first writing challenge is underway and almost at the end of its first 30-day cycle. Cycle 1 ends next Monday, March 15th.- The first theme is also "virgins and sluts."
- The first 30 days, you WRITE. The next 30 days, you WORKSHOP, READ, REWRITE. The final 30 days, you CAST, DIRECT and PRESENT your work.
- If you are interested in participating please contact: thecollective9@gmail.com. After Monday submissions will be closed.

360:
- The Collective is currently developing a film version of our smash 2009 stage production "360" using both The Collective's own stage adaptation "360" and Schnitzler's original "La Ronde" as source material.
- The next meeting to discuss ideas and next steps will be announced shortly.
- If you wish to be involved, please e-mail Robert at: robertzgrant@gmail.com.

Collective Monday – March 1, 2010

These were the items discussed at the top of our Collective Monday meeting this week.

COLLECTIVE MONDAYS:
- The Collective is reaffirming our goal to be a company in the tradition of the Group Theatre: a growing and evolving ensemble where professional actors can work, realize truthful behavior and strengthen their craft.
Some key things to remember:
- The primary goal of Collective Mondays is to develop a strong ensemble.
- We meet on Mondays as a group of professional actors to share ideas and observations, each member's idea bearing equal weight. It is not a class, nor are we teachers.
- Our comments are always rooted in observation, rather than direction.
- Regarding guests: Should a Collective member wish to bring a guest to observe Monday, e-mail the guest's name to thecollective9@gmail.com, ideally by the Friday before meeting.
Regarding inviting someone to become a part of The Collective: Should a Collective member wish to bring someone new into the group to work with us on an ongoing/permanent basis, we agree that the qualification should be that the new person is someone the Collective member would trust/like to work with on a Broadway stage; namely, that this person helps us reach our collective goal to create a strong ensemble.
- Some background on the Group Theatre is available at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/group-theatre/about-the-group-theatre/622/
- Danny O'Shea is spearheading an initiative to integrate continuous work on chosen classic and contemporary plays into Mondays.  The first two plays in this series will be announced this Monday, March 8th.

SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME:
- We plan to use a residential basement space to run open rehearsals/invited previews of the show, Sundays March 28, April 11, April 18, April 25, and potentially April 4 (Easter).
- The production model as of now is to investigate a "traveling performance piece" but we also continue to investigate/secure donated space, planning to move the production to a theater space beginning May 2, with a plan to continue to run. Sunday evenings, free of admission charge, generating revenue via bar/donations.
- A primary goal of these performances is to generate buzz and notoriety for The Collective, with the understanding this will be one part in the overall brand-building campaign.
- As the production gets underway, volunteer/job opportunities will be announced.

VIRGINS AND SLUTS:
- Our first writing challenge is designed to generate original work from our members and  present an evening of new works in May 2010. All members are invited to participate: those who have NEVER written for us ("virgins") and our regulars ("sluts").
- V&S will follow a 90-day cycle; we are two weeks in currently. The first theme is also "virgins and sluts." 
- The first 30 days, you WRITE. The next 30 days, you WORKSHOP, READ, REWRITE. The final 30 days, you CAST, DIRECT and PRESENT your work.
- Although we are already two+ weeks in, members are still encouraged to participate. Contact thecollective9@gmail.com if you wish to accept the challenge.

360:
- The Collective is currently developing a film version of our smash 2009 stage production "360" using both The Collective's own stage adaptation "360" and Schnitzler's original "La Ronde" as source material. Meetings are underway to discuss/develop the script. Members of last year's production as well as the Board and Founding Members are working now to generate ideas.  The full scope of the project will be opened to the group at large shortly.  If you wish to be involved, please e-mail Robert at robertzgrant@gmail.com