ALL SYSTEMS GO!

Recently the space program has been in the news. It reminded me how the adventure fascinated me as a young boy growing up in Beaver Dam. I was 10 years old when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon in the 1960s. The whole world stopped to watch it on TV. I remember being so interested that I wrote a letter to NASA. Someone at NASA actually sent me a packet of 8-by-10 glossy photos of their rockets, including those in the Mercury and Apollo programs. Some photos were in black and white and some were in color, illustrating when the art of photography changed. I taped the photos to the walls in my bedroom.

I’ve always had a pretty good imagination, but what’s going on now in the realm of space science is beyond what I could have dreamed up. Spacecraft leaving Earth carrying people and equipment, going to a space station and routinely returning to Earth. It happens from many places in the world now, and we hardly pay attention anymore. The James Webb Space Telescope is showing us pictures of far-away galaxies and collecting data, which is transforming our understanding of the universe.

The 1960s also saw the creation of Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre. Those who were around then will tell you they are amazed by the growth and changes over the past six decades. Technology has made huge leaps forward and we see that in the theatre all the time. But just like the space program, the theatre evolves, changes and grows based on two fundamental principles: people and process.

I’ve previously addressed how the talented and dedicated people connected to BDACT drive everything that happens at our Fine Arts Center. They created, and continue to create, the processes and systems which make it all work. I’d like to take a moment to briefly describe those systems, so you better understand them.

Currently BDACT is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, operating under a charter that adheres to Wisconsin state regulations regarding nonprofits. The bylaws of the board spell out everything including meetings, membership terms on the board and an annual accounting for the public. 

Each board member also serves on a committee. Those committees meet regularly and discuss important subjects such as show selection, strategic planning, building safety and security, finances, patrons, human resources, recognition and education. The board oversees the theatre’s Managing Director, who deals with the multitude of day-to-day operational needs.

The MD works with members of the board on all the aforementioned committees. The MD also works on funding, sponsorships, rentals, season and program planning, performance contracts and maintains connections with outside groups like the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Association, and the Wisconsin and National Associations of Community Theatre.

Additionally, the MD supervises a staff of six part-time employees who each have specific duties. We currently have coordinators for productions, front of house operations, tech, accounting, building maintenance and volunteer recruitment. These folks create and revise the policies and procedures that guide all aspects of BDACT, and their recommendations are presented to the board for final approval. The staff also supervises teams whose activities focus on marketing, props, costumes, set building, the box office, concessions and the history room.

Suffice it to say there are many policies, procedures and PEOPLE who are constantly working in every area of our wonderful community theatre to make sure things continue to move forward, evolve and grow. A popular phrase that grew out of the personal computer and cellphone era is, “There’s an app for that.” If you want to know the answer to something regarding BDACT or the Fine Arts Center, “There’s a policy, a procedure or a person for that.”

When you get involved at any level at BDACT, rest assured that everyone here is responsible for certain things and also reports to someone else. Many people over many years have worked on reviewing, adjusting, building and maintaining the processes that make the magic possible. Have a suggestion or an idea? FANTASTIC! We thrive on that! Please share your thoughts with the appropriate individuals and get that great idea of yours into the system. Tell your director. Or tell a member of a committee or the staff or even the board. That’s what we’re here for.

At BDACT we look forward to many great seasons of arts education, performance and volunteer cooperation yet to come. We welcome you to climb aboard for the adventure. ALL SYSTEMS GO! Please visit our NEW website at www.bdact.org, or give me a call at 920-885-6891. As always, I can’t wait to hear your ideas!