HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080902 - VIII-C-1VIII-C-1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Dave Osberg, City Administrator
DATE: August 28, 2008
SUBJECT: Informational-Community Theatre
Mr. Nate Parker will be present at the meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 to share
information regarding a Community Theatre program that is being established in
Hastings. Mr. Parker has provided that attached information for the City Council to
review prior to the meeting. No action is required by the City Council.
David M. O:
City Admini
City of Hastings City Council
Hastings, MN 55033
Dear Hastings City Council,
I am trying to establish a Hastings Community Theater. Hastings had a community theater
in the past, and I am trying to start a new organization that will provide enjoyment, education
and volunteer participation in Community Theater and the performance arts. The plan I have
is start as a nonprofit and work on bringing a variety of musicals and plays that will be
entertaining and thought provoking to people of all ages in the Hastings community. I don't
have a space yet for rehearsals and performances, I hope to soon have a space for the
community to see.
For our first production, I am bringing "Audition" aOne-Act Show this Fall 2008 at the Second
Street Coffee Shop Sept. 28~' at 2:OOPm, Sept. 29~' at 7:30pm, and October 4~' at 7:OOpm
and October 5~' at 2:OOpm. I had previously had held auditions for "Rumors" by Neil Simon.
We had to cancel this production due to difficultly assembling a complete cast.
I held a meeting last month of people interested in establishing a Hastings Fine Art Center
that would have combined theater, music, and art areas. After discussing the concept at the
meeting, we decided that it would be better to concentrate on a community theater now, and
plan on having the Fine Art Center in 10yrs from now. Hastings Community Theater meetings
are monthly next September 11~', 2008 at 7:OOpm in the Second Street Coffee Shop..
I have been notified that University of California Los Angeles wants to donate a grant of
$12,000.00 to the new community theater for Hastings. I should receive the grant next
month, and one of my dear friend wants to donate some money as well. I am trying planning
some fund raising events to allow the community to help me fund the community theater.
I am a graduated from UCLA in Theater, Music, and Speech Communication as a teacher. I
am teacher for the college level.
I graduated in Spring 2007 and taught at Minneapolis Community and Technical College Fall
2007- Spring 2008, in the Theater Department. I will not be teaching there this fall, due to
budget cuts. So looking for job or anything I can do to help people get an education like I did.
I am going to be teaching some courses thru Hastings Community Education for Movement
for Stage for Adults and Acting courses for winter quarter.
If you have any question please contact me.
Have a great day,
Nate Parker
Chair of Hastings Community Theater
rivercc2002Ca~yahoo.com
612-735-4913
Hastings Fine Arts Center Meeting
Augustl4, 2008 at Second Street Coffee Shop
Introduction:
The meeting was chaired by Nate Parker. Nate introduced himself, and then provided a
description of the proposed Fine Art Center. The Fine Arts Center would be an organization to
help organize and provide theater, music and the arts to the Hastings community.
Status of the Rumors Production:
1. Member of the Rumors cast and crew that were present at the meeting were introduced.
2. Rehearsals have started; however one role has not been cast yet. Failure to find an actor
for the role of Lenny, may cause the production to be postponed or cancelled.
Discussion of expectations for a fine arts center
1. A place where people can share their talents with the community
2. A place where can come to learn to express themselves
3. An organization to support existing and future arts groups
4. Present opportunities for arts and music to Hastings youth and the entire Hastings
community
General Discussion
1. One of the attendees suggested that there was space available for rent in the Heart to
Heart building, which would be very useful for holding classes, rehearsals, etc.
2. A suggestion was made to study how the town of Hudson, WI supports the arts.
3. Need to go to the city council with well-defined proposals, and be prepared with
information to back-up the proposals.
4. It was suggested that the organization should compile a list of advertising resources,
including places to put up posters, flyers, etc.
5. A suggestion was made to investigate local business support of the non-profit group,
including the newspapers, graphic designers, etc.
6. A comment was made that it might be better to concentrate on establishing a community
theater first, and then think about the over-all Fine Arts Center organization.
Future Meetings
Nate Parker announced that the organizational meetings would be held monthly, and invited the
attendees to spread the word about the meetings and the organization.
Next meeting will be September 11 7:00 PM at the Second Street Coffee Shop
Minutes recorded by Steve Dietrich
Hastings Community Theater
Meeting
Sept. 11`", 2008
7:OOpm at Second Street Coffee Shop!
Everyone is welcome to come and bring
new ideas to the group and help with a
Name, Mission Statement, and Board.
Chair Nate Parker will discussed the
Summer Musical Ideas for Next August
2009 and some classes he will be teaching
movement for stage.
Hastings Community Theater
Present
"Audition" aOne-Act Show!
Sept. 28th at 2:OOpm, Sept.29th at 7:30pm
and Oct. 4th, at 7:OOpm and Oct. 5th at
2:OOpm.
Call Nate Parker at 612-735-4913 or email him.
Nathaniel.parks2007 ,gmail.com
Or
Rivercc2002(u~yahoo. com
Tickets $12.00 for Adults and $6:00 for Children age 10-18
Contact Nate Parker for reservation for seating at the Coffee Shop.
Families are invited to come and listen to Musical Numbers,
Monologues, Dances, and Scenes!
Funds go to establish the Hastings Community Theater.