September 17, 2020
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This Thursday, when we gather for our Annual Membership meeting, many will be doing so from the comfort of our homes. Our upcoming meeting will be hosted via Zoom for you to attend virtually; or, you may choose to attend the meeting in person at the theatre. Specific information for attendance is listed below. Click on the section that applies to you and you will find everything you need to know to get logged in and participate.
The Annual Meeting is a chance for us to talk about where we are and where we are going as an organization. At a time when we are all feeling a little disconnected we want to make sure we address what is most important to you. What questions do you have? What information would you like to hear? If you have a topic you would like to hear addressed by the Board and Council, let us know. Send your requests ahead of time to members.chair@newtowneplayers.org. We will try to answer as many questions as possible during our reports and of course there will be time for questions during the meeting. When we come together (either in person or virtually) on September 17, it will have been 6 months since we were able to see each other face to face. However, we are heartened by the creative and expressive ways in which our members have continued to perform and produce. Social media accounts are flush with online videos, postings, and the sharing of funny memes. While we have been apart physically, our members’ bonds have continued to strengthen. Whether tied together with cans and string, or bridged through network cables and WiFi signals, The Newtowne Players find a way to keep our theatre strong. |
Join the Zoom MeetingFrom a tablet, cellphone or computer click the link below to join the Zoom meeting.
If you already have Zoom downloaded on your device, you may enter the meeting ID to join the meeting: 865 1441 9500
If you are unable to join the meeting via zoom and need to dial in please fill out this Form before the meeting starts and plan to dial in 15 minutes early so that we can associate your phone number with your name.
Dial 301-715-8592 to join the meeting. |
I plan to attend in person
Those who attend in person will follow safety protocols, including wearing masks and social distancing. In addition, we will clean surfaces of the theatre in advance and have hand sanitizing stations throughout the building. The safety and health of our members is the highest priority - and our plan and protocols have been reviewed and approved by the St. Mary’s County Health Officer.
When you enter NTP's lobby, please maintain social distancing protocols and proceed to the box office to check in and receive voting instructions.
What you will need:
When you enter NTP's lobby, please maintain social distancing protocols and proceed to the box office to check in and receive voting instructions.
What you will need:
- A mask
- A cell phone or tablet for voting for each person in attendance
I Plan to attend via zoom
Zoom attendees are asked to log into the meeting 10-15 minutes early so that your membership can be verified. Once you have connected and checked in with the Membership Chair, please place yourself on mute. You may leave your video active or turn off your camera if that makes you more comfortable. There will be a video display in the theatre for those attending in person to see who is dialed in.
Please note: each person who plans to vote must be logged in separately. Only one ballot may be cast per caller.
Please note: each person who plans to vote must be logged in separately. Only one ballot may be cast per caller.
How does online voting work?
In-Person and Zoom meeting attendees will cast their vote via a Zoom poll. Because of this each member must be logged into the meeting separately, even if you are attending in-person.
When members vote they will choose up to four names. The zoom poll will be open for five minutes. After that time the poll will be completed and automatically tabulated by Zoom.
In the event of a special election, nominees will be solicited from the floor and assigned a letter as before. The special election poll will be deployed and members will select the letter assigned to the nominee of their choice.
When members vote they will choose up to four names. The zoom poll will be open for five minutes. After that time the poll will be completed and automatically tabulated by Zoom.
In the event of a special election, nominees will be solicited from the floor and assigned a letter as before. The special election poll will be deployed and members will select the letter assigned to the nominee of their choice.
Can I make a nomination from the floor?
If you plan to nominate someone from the floor and you are on Zoom, you may do so by typing your nomination into the chat. Chat will be monitored and all nominations from Zoom will be announced. Nominations from those attending in person will be made in the normal way (raise your hand and announce your nomination).
Please make sure the person you are planning to nominate will be in attendance to accept the nomination.
When adding floor nominations to the ballot, each name will be assigned a letter (e.g., Option A - John Doe). To vote for a floor nominee you will select their assigned letter on the ballot.
In the event of a special election, nominees will be solicited from the floor and assigned a letter as before.
Please make sure the person you are planning to nominate will be in attendance to accept the nomination.
When adding floor nominations to the ballot, each name will be assigned a letter (e.g., Option A - John Doe). To vote for a floor nominee you will select their assigned letter on the ballot.
In the event of a special election, nominees will be solicited from the floor and assigned a letter as before.
Can I still ask questions of the committee chairs or Board of directors?
There will be a question and answer portion of the meeting. If you are connected via Zoom you can type your question into chat at any time. The chat moderator will recognize your question and ensure that it is read aloud and answered at the appropriate time. If you are attending in person please hold all questions until requested by the speaker.
If you have new business to bring to the meeting there will be time at the end of the reports. If you are connected via Zoom please make a comment in chat stating that you have new business. The chat moderator will add you to the list and call on you in turn. When it is your turn the meeting host will make sure your mic is un-muted and you will be allotted time to present your business to the group.
New business from within the theatre will be handled in the usual manner, raise your hand and you will be recognized in turn.
If you have new business to bring to the meeting there will be time at the end of the reports. If you are connected via Zoom please make a comment in chat stating that you have new business. The chat moderator will add you to the list and call on you in turn. When it is your turn the meeting host will make sure your mic is un-muted and you will be allotted time to present your business to the group.
New business from within the theatre will be handled in the usual manner, raise your hand and you will be recognized in turn.
Who is running for the Board of Directors
Tom McCarthy:
I graduated from University of Maryland at College Park in December 1994 with a BA in technical theater. My coursework included graduate-level classes in both Technical Direction and Lighting Design. I worked as an undergraduate assistant leading groups of underclasspersons in stagecraft practicum classes. After graduation I worked as a freelance artist and full time Assistant Technical Director and then Technical Director at the Round House Theater in Silver Spring, MD until 2000. Since then I had worked as a concierge-level remodeling contractor and project manager. I ran residential construction and remodeling projects ranging from as few as twenty to over seven thousand square feet. For the last five years I have been involved with The Newtowne Players in Lexington Park, MD. As Technical Director for almost four years, I have taught industry-best practices for lighting, sound, scenery construction, and props to as many interested members and volunteers as possible. I have raised expectations for NTP’s technical quality and I would like to try to continue that trend. 
Jeff Maher:
I am an active member of the Newtowne Players, and have had amazing experiences working with the NTP family. Over the last several years, my family and I have enjoyed volunteering and being part of the creative process that brings our productions to life. Over the last several years, I have served as part of the Board of Directors, and I have served two years as President. Our theatre has had great successes - with growing audiences and membership, grants, and upgrades to our facility. It has also faced unprecedented challenges with the impact of our pandemic. In seeking reelection to the Board, I want to be part of our resurrection from hibernation-bringing back the joys of theatre to our broader community. I find strength in working with others, and I can’t wait to see what we do next. |
Steve Pugh:
I have been a member of NTP since Fall 2016. In that time, I have dedicated myself to it’s mission of bringing theatre and the arts to St. Mary’s County. I have many hats in this theatre as many are aware but the Board has been a rewarding experience. I have served on the Board for the past 2 years and have helped guide the theatre through this pandemic. As a technical person, I am also provide valuable insight to the Board on matters. If elected to the Board for another term, I will help further guide the theatre through this pandemic and to greater successes. 
Mike Cahall:
Michael Cahall, has become a familiar face on-stage with the Newtowne Players. He holds a degree in Music Performance in Violin with additional studies in voice. and spent a year of post-graduate study at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. An active violinist in the regional classical music scene for many years, Mr. Cahall appearances for Newtowne have included Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, three years of A Night on Broadway, as Harry MacAfee in Bye, Bye Birdie, and most recently as Viktor Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein. Now retired, Mr. Cahall was the Director of the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) for 13 years, prior to that had an extensive career in information systems. The ACCSP is governed by a series of technical committees reporting to a central Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment to Director, he served on several of those committees. As Director, Mr. Cahall worked with and reported to the ACCSP Board. He as has also served in many different capacities in the St. Mary’s County EMS system, served on several volunteer boards as well as church vestries. and remains an active volunteer paramedic. |