Group Constitutions
Musical Theater Society
Constitution

  1. The name of this organization shall be the Columbia University Musical Theater Society, hereinafter referred to as Musicals.
  2. The purpose Of Musicals is to produce one (1) musical theater production per semester through a fair audition process. after at least a five week rehearsal period, and for a run of at least four shows. The aim of Musicals is to involve Barnard, Columbia College, and Engineering students in positions of control in a theater situations based upon experience and desire, students will be directors, stage managers, set designers, costumers, actresses, actors, publicity managers, business managers, artists, musicians, etc. down to house managers and the ushers. An important goal of Musicals is towards a system of rotation such that students who are beginning their experiences in theater or students who would like to experiment in theater, may try different areas of training. Our aim is to present to the campus and the neighborhood a traditional, Broadway-type, exciting musical chosen in an effort to provide the humor, fun and musicality of the best musicals written.

III.

  1. Any student from Columbia College, Barnard or Engineering is welcome to join in any capacity. Actors and actresses must audition in order to perform in a show, though if not accepted, they may become a member in another capacity. Important technical positions will be filled through short interviews with either the president or the existing division head (of lighting, sound, costumes, tech, etc.) Theater is a medium so varied and consistently changing that there is never lack of space for an interested, hard working individual.
  2. There are different classes of membership in so far that there are ascending positions of leadership in different areas : there will be, for example, a Head of Costuming billed in the program as Costume Director/Designer. Under him or her, there will be the necessary number of crew members who also have the opportunity to design, originate, create or initiate costuming. They are by no means restricted to taking orders from the Head. There will be Division Heads in Costuming, Lighting, Set Design, Publicity, Choreography, Make-up and House Management. The exception is that there will be one choreographer and one Musical Director, with only the dance captain and the necessary members of the band or orchestra under their direction As mentioned before, auditions and interviews are mandatory for those applying either as actors or as division heads. For others, attendance at meetings will determine what capacity they would like to work in and where they can be placed.
  3. Membership may only be revoked by the President, upon a decision made after discussions between the President and the division head of the unsatisfactory member's all-vision, or between the President and those involved in the circumstances surrounding the need for dismissal

IV.

A. Because of the qualities of this theater group, there will be only five officers on the bards They will not only-be responsible for the smooth operation of the administrative aspects of Musicals, but also for the smooth operation of the show during its rehearsal periods. The five positions are one year positions: President, Vice-President, Musical Director and Secretary.

The President is responsible for maintaining discipline at all meetings, proposing the choices of shows for the semester ahead to the other members of the board, and for the consideration of membership (involving the interviews for prospective division heads) and the consideration of dismissal of members who are detrimental to the success of be show. If not also acting as a director or division head, the President may, through a fair audition. Appear in a show.

The Vice-President will assist and work with the President. He or she will take control of meetings in the absence of the President, and oversee the Financial workings of the group. The Vice President is able to both perform and work on any of the shows.

The Business Manager serves as Treasurer for the group and the Business manager for the show is to be responsible for the processes involved in submitting our group to royalties companies for shows we are interested in upcoming months. He or she will also be responsible for dealing directly with the Student Activities Office.

The Musical Director is not necessarily the musical director of the present show. He or she will be responsible for overseeing the musical direction of the show, for finding available rehearsal space for the band/orchestra, for arranging for storage of instruments and piano tuning during the run of the show, and for keeping an updated list of musicians and campus musical connections for the group.

The Secretary will be responsible for taking minutes and notes at the meetings and for informing the members or the group about meetings. He or she will also be responsible for whatever typing is necessary to royalties, costume, set, makeup or program companies. The Secretary will also be called upon to do whatever xeroxing of paperwork is necessary.

The President will work with the show's Director to coordinate rehearsal space with the Student Activities Office.

Every individual in the group from actor to usher and directors has the right to suggest a meeting for a necessary discussion -- but these will be impromptu meetings to take place before or after rehearsals. Any of the five board members may call a formal meeting at any time. There will be two full membership meetings per semester' one at the beginning of the rehearsal period regarding the progression of the show and the dates of the show and any possible events during the course of the show, and the second, after the end of the show in order to speak about the prospects for next semester and any openings or elections.

  1. The President will be elected in the spring Semester, will the Vice President, through nomination. The Secretary and will be positions open to volunteers or nominees, and will be assigned depending on availability of time and on the experience of the applicant or nominee. The Musical Director is a position dependent on an interview with the President and Vice President to determine experience.
  2. Any officer may be removed through a majority vote from every member of Musicals

  3. No standing committees necessary at this point.

V.

  1. Meetings
  2. 1. There will be no need for regularly scheduled meetings as the rehearsals will serve as such, and to which every member is invited.

    2. Any member has the authority to call an informal meeting should the need arise.

  3. Policy Decisions
  1. Policy decisions are made on the basis of agreements between all members -- a vote. if necessary to determine the outcome of a decision.
  2. majority is necessary in a formal vote -- 51%
  3. Any member of the group is eligible to vote.
  4. The percentage is based on just those Present when a formal vote is taken at a meeting.
  5. There is a quorum of 25%
  6. VI. Since the only officers to be elected are the President and the Vice President, his or her election will be done through nominations and a secret vote through ballot. The majority will win. Any number of nominees is possible.

    VII. Amendments may be proposed by ant member at a formal meeting, and a majority vote of 2/3 is necessary to adopt the amendment to the constitution. This 2/3 vote is of those present at the meeting.

    VIII. There is no need for the establishment of by-laws in a group such as this: amendments will suffice to solve the lack of a working part of this constitution. As mentioned several times above, this group will aerate on a per semester/ per show basis such that the rehearsal period will bring together most of the members and the performances will bring together every member of the group.




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