CMTS announces a new proposal system!

CMTS' NEW Proposal Process:

Part One: Town Hall Meeting(s)
At this meeting, the board will solicit ideas, suggestions, and opinions about the shows or kind of shows that the community would like to work on or see presented. This feedback will be taken in to consideration during the selection of shows for next semester.

Part Two: Interviews
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
At this time, we will be interviewing for producers and directors. Anyone interested in producing or directing may come in and interview. Prospective producers and directors may either come in with another person that they want to work with, or individually. You may have a specific show idea or not. Either way is fine! We will talk with everyone about their past experience, their producing/directing philosophies, what show or what kind of show they want to work on, what space they want to work in, who you want to work with etc. We think of this as a two-way discussion. We're not just interviewing candidates; we're looking to see what kind of ideas you have and what you think CMTS should do.

Part Three: Selection
The CMTS Board will select two shows and a producer and director for each.  UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY SAY OTHERWISE, we will NOT: assign you to a different show than the one you proposed, assign you to a show in a style, size, or location that you hate, assign you to work with a producer/director other than the one you proposed with, assign you to work with someone with incompatible skills (ex: both producer and director have absolutely no practical experience, or two people who are creative visionaries without mind to feasability, etc.

After selection, the producer and director will be in charge of finding the rest of their production team, either through personal contacts, by holding interviews, or however else they decide to recruit. The CMTS board will help with this part of the process if needed, through advertising, advising, etc.

At the start of next semester, each production will provide to the CMTS board a list of their production team (as complete as possible), a statement of the director's vision for the show, and a preliminary budget.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why the change to the new system?
Under the old system, people had to submit a proposal with a full team already put together. This made it very difficult for newcomers to Columbia theatre to get involved in a large role. Additionally, it perpetuated certain groups frequently working with the same people to the exclusion of other talent. Because of the difficulty of the process, the CMTS board received very few proposals each semester, severely limiting the pool of shows from which we had to select. The new system will allow those with less experience- either in Columbia theatre or in theatre at all- to helm a show and have their artistic vision brought to life. However, it will also allow those who are used to the old system to go through a simpler, though similar, process. Additionally, it allow the CMTS board greater freedom over show selection so that we can can choose shows that serve the club and community as a whole.

Why wait so long to interview?
This is mainly because we won't hear for sure what our spaces are for next semester until early December. We don't want to assign a show to a space only to find out later that we don't have that space at all, or only on dates that are really inconvenient, etc. The other reason is that there are numerous shows going up until the very end of classes. We don't want anyone to be at a disadvantage for being involved in a show at the end of the semester.

I don't have any experience at Columbia. Can I still interview?
Of course! Part of the purpose of this new proposals system is to involve people who don't know the Columbia theatre community well or haven't known how to get involved in the past. The CMTS board will also help new theatre leaders, especially producers, by providing guidance both at the beginning of the process and throughout, as needed.

I don't know what show I want to do. Can I still interview?
Absolutely! In addition to getting an idea of your background and directing/producing ideas, we'll ask you a lot of questions about what sorts of shows you like and would want to work on, and assign you a show based on your preferences.

I already know who I want to work with and I'm not willing to work with anyone else. Will you stick me with someone anyway?
No. We would only pair you with another person if you specifically say it's okay.

I know what show I would to do. Could I be assigned a different show?
No. We would only assign you to a different show if you specifically say it's okay.

I don't know what I want to direct, but I hate all [Rodgers and Hammerstein, rock, fluff, etc] musicals. Would you assign me a musical of a style that I can't stand?
In the interview, we would ask you extensive questions about the kinds of shows that you like and would be interested in directing, your own directing style/philosophy, etc. We would only assign you a show that fits with these preferences you describe.

I have a great idea for a show but I don't want to produce or direct. How do I get my suggestion heard?
You can either email the board directly at cmts@columbia.edu, or you can come to interviews and present your idea. The board will not be selecting production team members other than producers and directors, but if you bring forth a great idea and present yourself well, we will pass your name along to the selected teams with the board's personal recommendation.

I don't know anyone! How will I find a team?
If you don't already have other members of your team, that's fine! The board will put together producers and directors. If the producer and director don't know other people to recruit, they can hold interviews for other positions. The board will help with marketing and logistics for interviews if necessary. We can also provide names and contact information for people who have worked on shows in the past and may be interested.

I already know who I want to work with! Are you going to stick me with other people?
No. Once the producer and director have been chosen, it's up to them how to find the rest of their team. If you already have people in mind, that's fine!

 

An explanation of the CMTS Board positions that are directly involved with each production:

Treasurer:
The Treasurer is in charge of overseeing all funds for CMTS. Therefore, the producer(s) of each production will have to be with him frequently to discuss the budget of the production and other financial issues. At the beginning of the semester, the producer of each production team should make an appointment to go over the proposed budget for the show with the treasurer. At that meeting, you should also discuss financial concerns for the production and any questions you may have about Columbia's financial procedures (cash advances, E-forms, reimbursements, etc.) The budget of a show is constantly evolving, therefore you should plan to meet with the Treasurer on a regular basis.

You must also obtain his signature on any E-forms. It is highly recommended that you prepare the E-form(s) and notify the Treasurer a few days before they are actually needed so that the producer and the Treasurer are able to find a mutually agreeable time to meet.

Funding Coordinator:
The Funding Coordinator is in charge of securing and distributing all funds for the productions. You should plan to meet with the Funding Coordinator at the very beginning of the semester to go over your budget and strategize fundraising options. This meeting may be combined with your initial meeting with the Treasurer. The Fundraising Coordinator will be responsible for securing all cosponsorships with the various student councils, as well as President and Provost Fund, Office of the University Chaplain, and any other Columbia institutions designed to give money to student groups. Other fundraising measures will be the responsibility of the producer(s). These measures may include bake sales, t-shirt sales, ad sales, etc. The Funding Coordinator will guide the production teams in these endeavors as needed, but will not be actively involved in their execution (unless she chooses to be). If typical methods of fundraising are not yielding sufficient results, the Funding Coordinator will help each team brainstorm alternate fundraising options. The Funding Coordinator will work closely with Treasurer to ensure that the production team stays on a feasible budget.

Space Coordinator:
The Space Coordinator is in charge of securing space for rehearsals (as well as other space for CMTS functions). You should plan to meet with her BEFORE the start of classes, so that she is able to secure space as soon as it is made available to students, on the first day of classes. At this meeting, the producer(s) should have a detailed list of what space they will need for the entire rehearsal process. This includes the days/times of rehearsals, as well as any space requirements. For example, if you will be having a week of music rehearsals, it is important that the space have a piano. For large dance rehearsals or runthroughs, the space must be large and free of chairs to  allow maximum movement. You must give these specifics to the Space Coordinator before the start of school so that she is best able to find appropriate space.

After the initial space requests, the Space Coordinator will give each production team a list of their spaces for the semester. If further
space needs arise (adding rehearsals, special rehearsal needs, inadequate space, etc), speak with the Space Coordinator and she will secure the necessary space, or the best available at the time. Any space needs should be directed to the Space Coordinator; producer(s) should not attempt to deal with space issues on their own unless there is an emergency and the Space Coordinator cannot be reached.

Rights Coordinator:
The Rights Coordinator is in charge of securing rights for each production. She will also ensure that rented materials are returned on
time, and will make arrangements with Actor's Equity as necessary. Once you have cast your show, make sure to check if any of your cast members belong to Actor's Equity. If so, notify the Rights Coordinator immediately.

Show Liason:
The Show Liaison is your link to the CMTS board. Each production team will be assigned a Liaison after auditions. The Liaison will attend rehearsals and/or meetings every couple weeks or so and report to the board on the production's progress. If you need anything from the board, speak with your Show Liaison. They will also facilitate communication between the production team and other board officers such as the Web Administrator and Social Chair/Recruitment Director. If needed, the Show Liaison may also serve as a moderator in production team disputes and will serve as the Board Representative in your production team to ensure that each production is a credit to CMTS that will enhance the club's reputation and presence on campus.