March 15, 2024 Newsletter

BHT March 2024 Newsletter
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Volume C, Issue No. 9 March 15, 2024
Happy March, Fellow Troupers!

I am choosing to celebrate rather than beware the Ides of March. With temps in the 60s and bright skies until 7 pm…it must be almost time for the Spring Show. In a mere five weeks, we will open H.M.S. Pinafore!  But before that ship comes into port, there’s still tons of work to do and LOTS of tickets to sell. Yes, Marketing is doing a great job of getting the word out, but it’s up to each Troupe member to follow up with friends, family and colleagues. It’s the personal approach that gets those tickets sold. Be active, not passive! Remember, too, even if you or your friends cannot come, you and they can still support the show and our charity partner by purchasing tickets and donating them or making a contribution to our Ticket Fund. This is truly going to be a great, once-in-a-century production.

Sadly, as previously announced, the show must go on without Win Rutherfurd captaining our Closing Cast crew. He is firmly on the path to recovery, but has had to leave the bridge. Kevin Murray will now take the helm as Captain Corcoran in our Closing Cast. Thank you, Kevin, and here’s to a full and speedy recovery, Win!

Speaking of our wonderful charity, I had the pleasure and privilege of attending YPC’s annual gala earlier this week, and that experience again reinforced what amazing work they do for our city’s youth. We should all be proud and excited to support them and make sure we provide as large a contribution this year as possible. Which means…SELLING OUT THE SHOW! (Do you sense a theme?)

Before we move from the Space to the Theatre, there are still tasks of every size, from every department, for every skill level. Please come help out on Saturdays between 10 – 5 and on Sundays between 12 – 6.

The Program is going to bed soon…and it better be a California King because this is going to be one epically huge program. Many thanks to Team Advertising and Team Editorial for making it so big and bountiful! Please make sure that if you’re participating in a Group Ad (or two or three…) that you’re fully paid up. The Group Ad Payment Form is still open for business!

A few more items for your TTD (that’s your Troupe To-Do) List:

  • Don’t miss the Pinafore Read-thru this Saturday (tomorrow)! Sign up here ($20.60/person, including credit card fee).
  • Board Nominations: Even as we focus our energy on making our 100th season the best it can possibly be, we also need to begin planning for the 101st. Ken Harmon is chairing our Nominating Committee. See more info below. We welcome your nominations for any and all of the Board positions at nominating@bht.org.
  • Centennial Celebration Weekend: Get your tickets now! Just log on to the members’ section of our website to see all the info and the ticket form or go straight here if you’re ready to sign up. Also take a look at the list of who has already registered, and contact all your friends who aren’t on there yet! Then, once you’ve registered, please volunteer to help (they’re only 30-minute slots).

Now, a word on our Covid policy. Covid Safety Coordinator Ken Daniel has recommended that we keep the current protocol in place rather than adopt the CDC’s revised recommendations given the close proximity in which we often work (and play) and the wide age range of our membership. Please stay vigilant!

Finally, congratulations to everyone who sang (and narrated) our busy and wonderful concert season, with special thanks to Chairs Emily Ruderman, Abby Shuppy and Paul Mitchell Wilder. Everyone sounded amazing in this beautiful and eclectic program!

 

Thanks & cheers & onwards!

Hail Poetry,
Betsy

Committee Updates

Spring Show

All Hands on Deck, it’s show time!
It is theater time, and this is an all-hands-on-deck event. Help is needed as follows:
Friday April 5- All flats are being moved from the workspace to the theater. The call is for 9:00 AM in the space.
Saturday, April 6 – Folks are needed at the workspace to help load costumes, tools, props etc. Meanwhile at the theater a truck load of set pieces will be arriving from Copake Falls and will need to be unloaded and set up.
Sunday, April 7- All hands are needed in the theater to help finish setting up the set, unpacking from the day before, etc.
Monday April 8 to Friday April 12, – All hands can be used to finish the set work, which is extensive.
And do not forget that April 28th, there will be a strike of the set followed by a scrumptious dinner at casa Millitello.
Overall, it is too much happiness. Please email Sandy Dickinson at sandybean615@gmail.com to find out how you can be involved.

Attention all Troupers! We’re rallying the troops to join the H.M.S. Pinafore front of house crew for an unforgettable adventure. Our mission: to serve over 4,352 patrons across 8 shows as we celebrate our 100th season in style. We need every hand on deck to ensure our patrons have the best experience possible. Whether you’re keen to usher, scan tickets, or vend water and merchandise during intermission, we want you! We’re especially on the lookout for volunteers who can commit to multiple shows, so please consider your availability when signing up. Ready to embark on this exciting journey? Simply click the link below to sign up, and complete the form with your personal information and availability. Let’s make this show one to remember!

SIGN UP NOW! https://forms.gle/J8tBwes8JcUiimmw6


AdvertisingShort and Sweet…   Get ready to move QUICKLY!

1)    THANK YOU all Troupers for helping the Advertising Committee meet and surpass our Centennial budget!
This 100th Anniversary Program is going to be the best one EVER!!!

2)    All Ad Contracts and finished ARTWORK are due to Advertising@BHT.org no later than Friday, March 15th.

3)    If you have not yet contributed to the BHT Group ad of your choice(s), go immediately to the BHT Members site, find the Group Ad payment form, and get cracking!   Here is the link to our Group Ads Form:  (click here). 

4)    ALL payments for Ads are due NO LATER than Friday, March 29th.

Click Here to pay online, which should result in a super-speedy receipt:


100th Committee

Celebration Weekend Is May 17-19
TIME TO BUY YOUR TICKETS!

The 100th Anniversary Committee has been working hard planning the weekend and raising funds to make it affordable for as many Troupers as possible. We want to see you there!

$500 per person pays for the entire weekend of events
Or it’s

  • $375 per person for the Saturday evening dinner & show at the Ziegfeld Ballroom
  • $200 per person for the Friday evening cocktail party & archival display at the New York Racquet & Tennis Club
  • $60 per person for the Sunday picnic (or $25 for kids 4-12) at The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island
    (Children 3 and under are free of charge on Sunday.)

You can still make installment payments, or you can pay in full and start planning your outfits! So what are you waiting for? Get tickets HERE! Please note that the Celebration Weekend Package price is only valid through April 30.

Volunteer for the Celebration!
Now that you’ve bought your tickets, want to be more involved in the Celebration Weekend? Well, you’re in luck! We’re looking for greeters, set-up and clean-up crew, registration, cars to drive materials, and more for all three events. Sign-up here to indicate interest in a 30-minute slot. We can’t do it without you! For any questions, please contact 100thweekend@bht.org.

You can still contribute! Help make this event both extraordinary and accessible to all. If you can afford to make a donation (not tax-deductible, alas) please contact Win Rutherfurd.

ARCHIVES NEEDS YOU
The Archives Committee really needs your help. 

Believe it or not, May is just around the corner and the Archives Committee really needs your help.

For Video: We are putting together our presentation of Past Fall Shows for the 100th Celebration Cocktail Party.
If you have in your collection pictures from these Past Fall Productions, please send me to us:
Down in the Valley, She Loves Me, Mr. Cinders, The 1940’s Radio Hour, The Apple Tree, Princess Toto and Lady Be Good
In the event you bring in physical photos, we will scan them and return them to you.

In Costumes and Props: Again, a Big request to put into the Archive physical displays for the Centennial cocktail party.
If you are willing to lend us one of your costumes or an interesting prop, please send us a picture, Include your Name, the Show and the Year, attention: Denise Paglina.
For all scanned pictures, Fall Show, Costume and Props, please use the Archive Troupe address:
archives@bht.org

On all our requests, Fall Show Pics, Costumes and Props, if it is easier for you, just come on in and bring them to the workspace.

Thanks for your support.


Professional Resources

While we are all enjoying the 100th anniversary season, believe it or not the start of the 2004-2005 season is just a few months away! The BHT Professional Resources committee is already laying the groundwork for selecting who will stage and musically direct for the coming season and beyond – and we need your help.
Professional Resources is looking to bolster our existing roster of directors, music directors and accompanists. If you know of any individuals who you think are the kind of people we would want to work with, please send their contact information to prosearch@bht.org and we will reach out to them beginning this month!

Nominating

Calling for nominations for Vice President, Treasurer, and a Development Secretary! Nominees must have been an active member for at least 3 seasons and willing to commit to a 3-year term. Please submit your nomination into nominating@bht.org

Repertoire

Planning Ahead: Season 2025-2026
It's time to solicit ideas for the 25-26 season! AND this year, we're providing more opportunity to hear from everyone.
We're creating a suggestion "box" at the rehearsal space for physical suggestions using a form we're creating. You should see it by the end of the month, along with a Google Form we'll be sharing via email blast and FB. Stay tuned!
We hope to compile suggestions to fuel discussion online and at the space, with another Town Hall in the weeks before the June Meeting.
We want to hear your voice and your choice more than ever. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email repertoire@bht.org

HMS Pinafore Tickets

Our 100th Anniversary Spring Show opens in just 5 weeks!
Let’s make sure we pack that house with centennial-worthy crowds and make a BIG difference for the Young People’s Chorus of NYC.

Performance Schedule:

 Friday, April 19 at 7:30 pm (opening cast)
Saturday, April 20 at 3:00 pm (closing cast)
Sunday, April 21 at 3:00 pm (opening cast)
Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 pm (closing cast)
Thursday, April 25 at 7:30 pm (opening cast)
Friday, April 26 at 7:30 pm (closing cast)
Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 pm (opening cast)
Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 pm (closing cast)

Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more! (20% off $70 or $90 tickets). Email tickets@bht.org to access this discount and all other ticketing info.

Need help selling tickets? Marketing materials can be found here. (You must be signed into the Members portion of the website to access.)  The Lois book will be out soon.  Will you be in it?

Click to buy tickets and learn more.


Anything Goes Souvenir Book
Anything Goes Book & Photo Archive
If you did not order one of the stunning Anything Goes books in the original batch (all sold-out now!), you can now order one online, starting on Monday (3/20).  Just go to here to order single copies ($20 plus tax/shipping).  Thanks again to Gregory Peterson for putting together this beautiful 80-page souvenir of our wonderful Fall Show!

Gregory Peterson has also put together a photo archive from Anything Goes. Please feel free to copy images from the shared folder, and also be sure to photo-credit Gregory J. Peterson when using any of these beautiful photos.


Click Here to Pay Your Dues

Congratulations

…To new Fontstager Yousra Hegazy who became a U.S. Citizen on 02.27.24.  That evening at the Harvard Club concert, the Troupe chorus sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in her honor.

Condolences

…To the family and friends of Malvern Hill (BHT-Bass ’58) who passed away on February 23, 2024 at age 97.  He and his wife, Adrianne Hill (BHT-Soprano ’60), met and married in the Troupe.


From the Archives
John Jay Schieffelin and Virginia Bartow
1938 H.M.S. Pinafore

Troupe Useful Emails

General Queries from Members:                    members@bht.org
President – specific requests:                         president@bht.org
Login Access to the Website:                          accounts@bht.org
Treasurer (all reimbursements, etc.):              treasurer@bht.org
Potential Members:                                         admissions@bht.org
Blue Book Committee:                                    bluebook@bht.org
Entertainment Committee:                              entertainment@bht.org
Tickets & Subscriptions:                                  tickets@bht.org
Virtual Engagement Task Force:                     virtual@bht.org
Cabaret                                                           cabaret@bht.org
Fall Show                                                        fallshow@bht.org
Covid-19                                                         covid@bht.org
Space Inquiries                                               space@bht.org
Space Reservations                                        spacerez@bht.org
Archives                                                          archives@bht.org
100th Weekend                                               100thweekend@bht.org
100th Book                                                      100thbook@bht.org

To view a full list of Troupe email addresses, go to http://bht.org/private/email/

Calendar of Events

March
March 16: HMS Pinafore Read-thru
March 23: Saturday Evening Entertainment Movie Night

April
April 5Pinafore Move-in
April 19: Pinafore Performance  at 7:30 (opening cast)
April 20: Pinafore Performance at 3:00 (closing cast)
April 21: Pinafore Performance at 3:00 (opening cast)
April 24: Pinafore Performance at 7:30 (closing cast)
April 25: Pinafore Performance at 7:30 (opening cast)
April 26: Pinafore Performance at 7:30 (closing cast)
April 27: Backstage Brunch
Pinafore Performance at 2:00 (opening cast)
Between-the-Shows Dinner and Skits
Pinafore Performance at 7:30 (closing cast)
April 28: Pinafore Strike and post-strike dinner

Please check bht.org for the most up-to-date calendar information.

Sincerely, 

Betsy King Militello, President
Blue Hill Troupe, Ltd.

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