Mississippi Theatre Association Strategic Plan 2009-2013 In 2009, the MTA completed an updated long range plan. The focus of this process was to review what was left to be accomplished from the earlier plan, to identify the most critical goals for the future, and to create a plan for accomplishing those goals. In an extended planning retreat, the MTA Board analyzed the current strengths and challenges to the organization. The retreat was facilitated by Holly Wagner, a fundraising consultant in Mississippi, because we wanted to expand our fundraising capabilities as part of this organizational planning. The planning documents from that planning retreat are attached but we have three specific goals for the future: 1.) increasing the visibility of theatre by creating quality theatre productions for MPB; 2.) enhancing playwriting competitions and initiatives; and 3.) continuing our advocacy role. We worked hard to discuss the current environment as it relates to our mission statement, develop specific goals and strategies to meet those goals and a detailed implementation plan for what, who and when various tasks will be completed. The purpose of these discussions was focused on preparing a detailed long range plan and building organizational, human, and financial capital. In short, we want to tell, share and fund our vision more effectively. I. Overall / Organizational Goals: Goal: Host the statewide theatre festival/conference in different towns each year and attract theatres from all over the state from each division to attend and participate in the festival. Strategy: MTA will partner with local theatres who will serve as local hosts to sponsor the annual festival. The festival will typically be held on Martin Luther King Weekend in a different region of the state. Lead Individual: Executive Director, Officers Deadline: January (Annually) Columbus, MS (2013); Gulfport, MS (2012); Tupelo, MS (2011) Strategy: The statewide theatre festival will include the following events throughout the weekend: Secondary Festival, Community Theatre Festival, 10- Minute Festival, Theatre for Youth Festival, College/University Auditions, Individual Events Festival, Playwriting Competitions
Lead Individual: Entire Board will be responsible for this project. Deadline: January (Annually) Each of these were held during 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 festival. Strategy: MTA will bring at least one speaker to the festival to introduce to the audience members to a reputable, known figure from the theatre area. Deadline: January (Annually) Billy Brasfield (2013) Mackenzie Westmoreland (2011) George M. Calhoun (2010) Mark Dunn, Scott Burkell, Paul Loesel (2009) Goal: Serve as a resource for theatres throughout the state regardless of their type. Strategy: Division chairs will be responsible for their divisions and will reach out to theatres throughout the state in an effort to provide a sense of community and to better understand their needs and challenges and to offer ways that MTA can assist them in achieving their goals. Lead Individual: Deadline: Division Chairs Annual Conducted Theatre Workshop 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Conducted Community Theatre Summit 2010, 2011, 2012 Playwriting Competition held 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Strategy: MTA will create a Theatre Roster that will include members and their areas of expertise. Members will be able to indicate that they are interested in acting, directing, workshop presentations, adjudicating, technical, etc. Lead Individual: Deadline: Division Chairs, Executive Director Postponed Will be re-evaluated for future Strategic Plan Goal: Increase the overall visibility of MTA as an organization and identify ways of fostering the development of other theatres in the State (school and community) 1. Develop a partnership with the Mississippi Public Broadcasting to air at least one (local) theatre production on MPB annually. Two productions were filmed and presented to MPB for airing but not accepted by MPR. 2. Attend one MS Arts Hour (MPR) annually.
3. Increase the number of Public Services Announcements and placed (paid) ads distributed annually. 4. Develop an online calendar that incorporates member theatres events and MTA events. This will assist in promoting theatre events all over the state. Deadline: December 2009. Completed. 5. Develop a MTA Member Discount program where theatres offer discounts to MTA members. Deadline: December 2010. Only a few theatres have implemented the discount. 6. Use online and Web 2.0 technologies to spread the word about the MTA events and Mississippi theatre activities. Ongoing. Effectively implemented into the festival and events marketing plans. Goal: Increase the outreach to underserved groups and theatres across the state in order to make them aware of our services and to identify ways that we as an organization can assist these organizations. Strategy: Increase the participation by historically black colleges/universities by reaching out to individuals at these institutions and asking them to participate. Barbara Smith to head this initiative. Need to start adhoc committee. Timeframe/Deadline: December 2009 Lead Individual(s): Barbara Smith, Diversity Committee No action. Will be revisited in 2013. Strategy: Send renewal letters and personal invitations to membership drops/nonrenewals. This should include chancel drama from churches. Timeframe/Deadline: December (Annually) & July (Annually) Lead Individual(s): Stephen Cunetto Letters sent annually. Strategy: Continue to invite and send personal invitations to community theatres to get more participation by this community. Timeframe/Deadline: September December (Annually) Lead Individual(s): President, Executive Director, Community Theatre Chairs/ Vice Chairs Ongoing. Strategy: Host a minimum of two (2) Town Hall Meetings in different regions of the state. Explore possibility of tying this to workshops being presented at the same time. Timeframe/Deadline: April, June, September (Annually) Lead Individual(s): Vice President (primary); President, Executive Director
Town Hall meetings were held in 2009 & 2010. Officers decided to put these on hold for a limited time and to reevaluate in 2013. Strategy: Identify and invite professionals throughout the state to become members of MTA. Send letters and personal invitations to make this happen. Each member should identify 3 people in their region that can be contacted. Timeframe/Deadline: December, June-July Lead Individual(s): Stephen Cunetto, Professional Division Chair/ Vice Chair Letters distributed. Goal: To expand private and public support of MTA over long term. What Who When - Revise direct mail letter Stephen/Consultant Spring/Summer - Revise and expand proposals Stephen/Consultant Spring/Summer to select prospects - Investor letter to donors Stephen/Consultant Spring/Summer - Develop list of 5-10 Stephen/Consultant Spring/Summer major donors Advocacy What Who When - Identify key legislative Stephen Spring leadership - Arrange visits with key Stephen/Board Spring legislators - Continue letters/phone calls Stephen/Board Spring during session These are ongoing and done annually The direct mail has been somewhat effective in memberships. Donations increased in 2011, 2012. The number of sponsors increased in 2013.
II. Goals by Division: Community Theatre Goal: Increase the artistic quality and the management of community theatres through continuing education opportunities for leaders and volunteers Strategy: Host a minimum of one, preferably two, community theatre workshops annually (This is not in conjunction with the state festival.) Timeframe: Annually Summer Community Theatre Division Chair and Vice Chair Ongoing. Workshop held 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Strategy: Work with the MTA Executive Director and the American Association of Community Theatres to host a professional development workshop in the State. This could be in conjunction with other states as well (AL, LA, AR, TN). [AACT has several workshops that they offer but never in the south. SC proposed to AACT that they need to do this more in the south rather than always in the Midwest.] Timeframe: 2010 Community Theatre Division Chair / Vice Chair/Executive Director On hold. Have not been able to garner support from theatres to attend. Goal: Provide MTA leaders with educational and professional development opportunities to increase their understanding of and participation at the regional and national level Strategy: Identify funding to send the community theatre division chair (and/or vice chair) to the Southeastern Theatre Conference and the Association of Community Theatre Annual Festival (only held every other year). {This is contingent on funding.} Timeframe: June 2011 Executive Committee / Executive Director (make appropriate and add to budget) The Budget has not allowed for this. Goal: Facilitate and encourage community theatres to assist in enhancing the inclusion of theatre into the schools by encouraging them to either bring children to their local productions or find avenues through which they can tour shows to surrounding schools. This might include things such as high school nights with talk-backs following productions.
Strategy: Increase the number of community theatres that have close relationships with the local schools by 5%. Timefra2me: Phase I: Survey theatres to find out who is doing what and what they are doing in this area. (October 15, 2009) Phase II: Assimilate information (December 1, 2009) Phase III: Document through the website, listserv, newsletter, and workshops at MTA what theatres are doing in this area and encourage other theatres to do this. (January, 2009) Community Theatre Chair / Community Theatre Vice Chair Project put on hold and to be reevaluated in 2013. Goal: Enhance the community outreach to community theatres and provide a means for sharing of resources, ideas and information Strategies: Continue the development of the community theatre website by adding links to relevant resources for community theatres Timeframe: December 2009 and ongoing Community Theatre Chair / Vice Chair Ongoing. Strategy: Utilize various web and 2.0 technologies to reach out to and promote community theatre activities. Timeframe: Monthly posts to encourage discussion Community Theatre Chair / Vice Chair Monthly posts have not occurred but frequently each year. Strategy: Utilize the MTA and the Community Theatre listserv as a means of making a community that shares information, asks questions, creates a community for other theatres, etc. Timeframe: Monthly posts to encourage discussion Community Theatre Chair/Vice Chair Monthly posts have not occurred but frequently each year.
Secondary Goal: Work directly with the Mississippi Department of Education to update the Mississippi Visual and Performing Arts Framework (2010) Strategy: The Secondary Division Chair will serve as an official representative from MTA. Timeframe: Deadline: 2010 date set by MDE Secondary Division Chair Completed our portion. Being revised for 2013 to include working with MDE on the Common Core Standards being implemented nationally. Goal: Solicit and review lesson plans for theatre educators from around the state and make them available on the MTA website and the MDE website as a resource for new teachers. Strategy: The Secondary Division chair and vice chairs will devise a plan for soliciting and submitting these for review. Once reviewed and approved, the final documents will be sent to the Executive Director for addition to the website. Timeframe/Deadline: Phase I (Devise plan) November 15, 2009 Phase II (Solicit Lesson Plans) March 1, 2010 Phase III (Review Lesson Plans) May 1, 2010 Phase IV (Add to Website and MDE) July 1, 2010 Secondary Division Chair, Vice Chairs Completed. Goal: Develop a How-To video to further explain the process that takes place at the High School Drama Festivals and the State Theatre Festival. Strategy: The Secondary Division Chair(s) will work with Stacy and JC Howell to develop a script and shoot the video. Timeframe/Deadline: October 2009 Stacy and JC Howell, Juniper Wallace Completed. Goal: Develop a mentoring program that links new teachers with experienced teachers throughout the state. This will create a connection between teachers and schools. This can be cross district lines. This will enhance the understanding of and the need for theatre education.
Timeframe/Deadline: Phase I Develop a survey that can be distributed to teachers across the state (English and theatre) that will collect data as to their theatre offerings (classes taught, after-school only, actual theatre teacher or other teacher. Deadline: November 2010. Phase II Distribute survey from December - March 1. Final deadline for submitting survey March 1, 2011. Phase III Assimilate / analyze information from the survey. Deadline May 1, 2011. Phase IV Connect experienced teachers with other novice teachers to provide guidance and assistance. Deadline: August 1, 2011. Secondary Division Chair / Vice Chairs Project put on hold. Goal: Work with colleges/universities to develop theatre educator s continuing education opportunities. This should not be directed at one particular institution but should be a developed as a model for all institutions to adopt. Strategy: Survey the colleges/universities to find out what they are offering each semester and product a list of courses being taught at each institution throughout the state. Timeframe/Deadline: Phase I Contact each college/university to determine the courses being taught for the fall and spring semester. Deadline: November 15, 2009. Phase II Create a document that can be distributed online and in person that lists the courses being taught by school. Deadline: December 3, 2009 (distribute at HSDF) Project put on hold. Strategy: Develop a prototype continuing education program (for credit or CEU based) that can be duplicated at other institutions of higher learning. Phase I Survey teachers to learn of their needs Phase II Present workshop at MTA 2010 outlining the intended courses and options. Deadline: MTA 2010. Timeframe/Deadline: May 2011 College / University Chair / Vice Chair Project put on hold.
Goal: Enhance the development of a sense of community with teachers throughout the state as a means of sharing of resources, ideas and information Strategies: Secondary division chairs will continue the development of the secondary division website by adding links to relevant resources for community theatres Timeframe/Deadline: October 2009 and ongoing Juniper Wallace, Kelly Norris, Mandy Kinney Completed. Strategy: Secondary division chairs will utilize various web and 2.0 technologies to reach out to and promote secondary activities. Timeframe/Deadline: Monthly Juniper Wallace, Kelly Norris, Mandy Kinney Completed. Ongoing. Strategy: Secondary division chairs will utilize the MTA listserv as a means of making a community that shares information, asks questions, etc. Timeframe/Deadline: Monthly Juniper Wallace, Kelly Norris, Mandy Kinney This did not happen monthly but periodic as needed. College/University Goal: Host the annual Kennedy Center / American College Theatre Festival Strategy: Working with the colleges/universities, identify a location and time for the festival. Host the festival in order to provide opportunities for sharing and seeing each others works. Timeframe/Deadline: November Annual Event College / University Chair / Vice Chair This was put on hold due to the financial constraints of the Universities and Colleges. Goal: Host the College/University Auditions at the Statewide Theatre Festival Strategy: Promote the Auditions to the colleges/university theatre faculty and encourage them to attend the auditions.
Timeframe/Deadline: September January (Annual Event) College / University Chair / Vice Chair This is done annually. This program has continued to grow each year. Goal: Work with colleges/universities to develop theatre educator s continuing education opportunities. This should not be directed at one particular institution but should be a developed as a model for all institutions to adopt. Strategy: Survey the colleges/universities to find out what they are offering each semester and product a list of courses being taught at each institution throughout the state. Timeframe/Deadline: Phase I Contact each college/university to determine the courses being taught for the fall and spring semester. Deadline: November 15, 2009. Phase II Create a document that can be distributed online and in person that lists the courses being taught by school. Deadline: December 3, 2009 (distribute at HSDF) Project put on hold. Strategy: Develop a prototype continuing education program (for credit or CEU based) that can be duplicated at other institutions of higher learning. Phase I Survey teachers to learn of their needs Phase II Present workshop at MTA 2010 outlining the intended courses and options. Deadline: MTA 2010. Timeframe/Deadline: May 2011 College / University Chair / Vice Chair Project put on hold. Goal: Develop workshops for students at the college/university festival and the state festival Timeframe/Deadline: November 2009 (annually) Dex Edwards / Peppy Biddy Completed. Offered the workshop during 2011, 2012, 2013.
Goal: Develop a roster of theatre educators and practioners in the state that are available to serve as a resource to MTA or to other theatres (i.e. need assistance with understanding rigging or how to renovate a theatre), serve as workshop presenters, adjudicators, lighting designers, scenic designers, directors, actors, etc. Timeframe/Deadline: March 1, 2010 Peppy Biddy, Dex Edwards, Stephen Cunetto Professional Division Chair / Vice Chair Project put on hold. Professional Division Goal: Define the scope of the professional division and conduct an inventory of the applicable theatres in the state. These will be posted to the website and membership information sent encouraging them to become members. Phase I Chairs will propose a new definition for the professional theatre division Deadline: October 2009 Phase II Conduct an inventory of the applicable theatres that meet this criteria in the State and distribute information to them and encourage them to become members. Deadline: January 2010 No action. Goal: Create a better understanding of how professional/presenting theatres work and what opportunities are available for students and adults. Strategy: The Chairs will submit at least one article that talks about different aspects of the professional theatres. (How to get involved, Types of work, What does it mean to be a professional, etc.) Timeframe/Deadline: Prior to newsletter. Post to website. Francine Reynolds, David Dallas Completed by Francine and Peppy Biddy. Strategy: Identify professionals from the state that can conduct workshops at the state and possibly the college/university festival. Timeframe/Deadline: Francine Reynolds, David Dallas This happens annually. Goal: Explore opportunities and avenues to provide internships for high school or college students. Strategies: Facilitate discussion with the professional theatre and the presenting theatres in the state to identify possibilities and needs.
Timeframe/Deadline: Phase I Discussions with professional/arts centers. December 2009 Phase II Develop plan for implementation Professional Division Chair / Vice Chair No action. Goal: Develop a roster of theatre educators and practioners in the state that are available to serve as resources to other theatres (i.e. need assistance with understanding rigging or how to renovate a theatre), serve as workshop presenters, adjudicators, lighting designers, scenic designers, directors, actors, etc. Timeframe/Deadline: March 1, 2010 Peppy Biddy, Dex Edwards, Stephen Cunetto Professional Division Chair / Vice Chair No action. Playwriting Division (new) Goal: Recognize and promote unpublished Mississippi playwrights Strategy: MTA will host an annual playwriting competition; one for adults and one for youth writers. Lead Individual: Playwriting Committee Chair and Committee Deadline: Phase I Collect scripts May September Phase II Evaluation/Review scripts September-November Annual and ongoing. Submissions are steady each year. Strategy: At the annual statewide theatre festival, produce the plays that were selected as the best script in each category (adult, youth) in a workshop setting (staged reading or reader s theatre format) and encourage a dialogue between the audience, director, actors, playwright and the final adjudicator following the production. Lead Individual: Deadline: Playwriting Committee Chair and Committee January Annually and ongoing.