Goals & Summary of Strategic Planning in '09

ARTISTIC

GOAL

Be the premier eclectic and original ensemble theatre in the Mid-Atlantic

OBJECTIVES

1. Strengthen, support, integrate and promote the organizations contained under the MET umbrella

Incorporated all shows (mainstage, FunCo, Pigs, etc) into season brochure Moved to a bigger postard to include all shows, not just mainstage, in mailings Invited attendance from each MET groups at weekly staff meetings

1. 2. Foster, nurture and promote the ensemble process

2. 3. Engage our patrons

Poll questions posted on the MET blog Increased online presence in ways that encourage our patrons to interact with us - blog, twitter, facebook, youtube

4. Increase our patron base

MET has performed to over 12,000 attendees this year –on the MET Mainstage, the Weinberg stage, or touring 137 Performances at the MET

40 tours of MET productions in the region Premiere of a new adaptation of A Doll’s House First African American woman cast as the main character for Santaland Diaries

Exuviae an ensemble creation that has gotten support from notable community figures who want to support the production being produced at local colleges and universities

Comedy Pigs added two new comedy sketch shows

Fun Company matinees played to over 1,000 members in on season.

Of these shows all four scripts were original creations from the MET Company

That totals 8 new original works produced this year

Afterschool outreach program served over 600 students in six productions around the county.

Summer Camps sold out for the year.

Our adult acting classes were sold out.

Playscripts play publishing company in NYC has shown an interest in our original work, which may lead to additional income from other companies producing our original work.

ADMINISTRATION

GOAL

1. 1. Promote creativity and variety in our communication and organization while still maintaining consistency and building a strong MET brand and message

2. 2. Establish stable infrastructure that supports maximum creativity and controlled chaos

OBJECTIVES

1. Utilizing creativity in meeting our budgeted fundraising goals

Brought back the Miss Pig Pageant Worked with various groups, businesses in the community to create special events - Volt/ Urbana Town Courier night Implemented 2 succesful mini campaigns to address urgent financial needs

2. Be consistent with our mission in all fundraising endeavors

Fundraising events are focused on MET programs and MET people - patrons, ensemble members, board

3. Have a bitchin’ and effective marketing plan

Created and followed a master marketing calendar, enabling all press releases, ads, postcards, web headers, etc to get out on time Timelines for pitching stories to regional and national media outlets (like American Theater, Frederick Magazine, etc), based on their editorial calendars

4. Support a diversity of communication mediums both externally and internally

Increased our email mailing list and our regular mail list Include links to the MET Blog, photos and videos when sending out press releases Post regularly to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube as well as the MET Blog, including photos and video

5. Develop a symbiotic ensemble and board

Moved into new offices that have given us additional space to hold classes, meetings and work more efficiently Had 100% Board participation with fundraising, raising 32,000 The Board gave over $32,000 Held three board social events, one for new members and one in support of Santaland Diaries. Premiered Scroogewear

EDUCATION

GOAL

Encourage, educate, foster and attract theatre artists, audiences and supporters.

OBJECTIVES

1. Strengthen and expand our community partnerships and outreach

a. Expand the voucher program to other schools and to companies

b. Develop working relationships for space for the Ensemble School with FCC and/or Hood

Expanded voucher program to Fort Detrick Collaborated on "Midsummer Night's Dream with FCC, providing performance opportunities for FCC, Hood and MET students

1. 2. Expand curriculum

2. 3. Diversify abilities and skills of ensemble members

a. Include board members in workshops

4. Streamline public school artist residency program

Created an educational outreach brochure

Reached out to teachers, not just administrators, with info about our tours and other performances

5. Cross promotion within our education outreach programs

PRODUCTION

GOAL

Manage productions effectively and efficiently with the best use of time, space, people and resources and continuously raise the standard of production values

OBJECTIVES

1. Avoid overbooking our space and people

Implemented a "Space Book" where ensemble members can book space

1. 2. Create an inventory system to evaluate long-term usability of equipment, set, costume, and prop pieces.

2. 3. Create a standing technology/equipment committee to identify and prioritize needs

Technology committee created! Responsible for getting the new website off the ground

a. Purchase a company vehicle

b. resource library

4. Embrace technology and its fluidity; do research and choose what’s best for us

Exuviae an ensemble creation that has gotten support from notable community figures who want to support the production being produced at local colleges and universities

Playscripts play publishing company in NYC has shown an interest in our original work, which may lead to additional income from other companies producing our original work.

1. Promote creativity and variety in our communication and organization while still maintaining consistency and building a strong MET brand and message

Timelines for pitching stories to regional and national media outlets (like American Theater, Frederick Magazine, etc), based on their editorial calendarsTimelines for pitching stories to regional and national media outlets (like American Theater, Frederick Magazine, etc), based on their editorial calendars

Manage productions effectively and efficiently with the best use of time, space, people and resources and continuously raise the standard of production values