Greetings to the friends and Members of Clarkson Music Theatre. We hope that you are enjoying this beautiful weather and spending more time with family and friends. We are pleased to provide you with some updates on what we have been doing and what you have to look forward to.
1. Despite the ravages inflicted by the Coronavirus on our theatre community, your Board has worked hard to ensure that many successes have been achieved during this difficult year.
a. The 75th Anniversary Gala has been postponed for a third time. We are confident that we will finally be able to come together to celebrate Clarkson’s achievements. The new date is June 18, 2022. Venue: Noble Hall on Royal Windsor Drive. If you wish to purchase a ticket, or have questions, please contact [email protected]. CMT will continue to send reminders regarding this event to members past and present.
b. Regretfully, we confirm that our concerns for safety and uncertainty about the future required us to cancel any plans for both a 2021 fall production and the work of the Christmas Cheer Choir. Thank you for your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our members and audience. We continue to work with the City of Mississauga and the Encore Series to develop protocols to keep our members and audience safe.
c. We congratulate our Board for continuing to “keep Mississauga entertained”. These events were launched on our Facebook page and remain available for your viewing pleasure:
i. For ten months, “Faces of Clarkson” provided a monthly salute in a series of pictorial essays devoted to the many volunteers who are responsible for the past success of our shows.
ii. More recently, “Voices of Clarkson” has offered monthly livestreamed events on the second Monday of every month and will continue to do so until December. “Voices” offers interviews and songs from some of our favourite Clarkson performers. We thank our viewers who have made donations to select charities in appreciation of each evening’s entertainment.
iii. “Dance with Clarkson” is a series of workshops designed by Bob Riddell for CMT fans to hone their dance skills. Check our Facebook page for news on how to register for these inter-active zoom events. Or, you may contact [email protected] to ask questions or register for the next event.
d. Your CMT Board has also worked hard to review and revise CMT’s By-Law No. 1. Copies of the draft By-Law No.1 have been sent to our members. We have streamlined the document and created a separate “Policies” document to capture our day-to-day operations. In particular, thanks are owed to Jay Prestage for his invaluable advice on legal matters. On August 16th, 7:30 p.m., CMT will present the revised By-Law and invite member input. (Zoom invite has gone out to members). After garnering your feedback, Members will be asked to ratify this By-Law at our upcoming September AGM.
2. The renovation of Meadowvale Theatre continues. We count on your support to renew your Subscriptions to the 2022-2023 Encore Series. We look forward to a safe and comfortable return to our musical theatre home in November 2022.
3. Membership Fees: The CMT Board is pleased to announce that membership fees for 2021-2022 will remain the same and are due by Sept. 15th, the date set for the AGM. Your membership dues entitle you to the latest updates on CMT events; opportunities to meet at CMT’s social events (details tbd); the right to help make your voice heard at your AGM. Most importantly, membership fees help support the work of Clarkson Music Theatre both on stage and off. If you would like to remain a member in good standing until our next AGM in September 2022, e-transfer $40 for single / $50 for family to [email protected]. Cheques may be made out to and mailed to “Clarkson Music Theatre”, 1415 Buckby Road, Mississauga, L5J 3W7. If you have any questions about your membership, please email our Membership Secretary [email protected].
4. Your Board is delighted to announce that there were four recipients of the Performing Arts Scholarship 2021. Each were endowed with $1,000. We congratulate Grace Pulo, Jason Ramos, Kaliyah Martin and Nick Gryniewski.
GRACE PULO
Grace is a graduate of St. Joan of Arc RCSS. Grace is a talented performer and instrumentalist, having been a Gold Medal winner with the Royal Conservatory. Well-rounded too in other areas of stage production, Grace has experience as a producer, music director, stage crew and marketer. She will be studying further at the U of T’s Music Faculty.
KALIYAH MARTIN
A graduate of Philip Pocock Secondary School, Kaliyah has studied music, theatre and dance through her high school programs. In addition to performing Kaliyah is also a willing and competent worker behind the scenes. She will be continuing her education at York University where she will study for a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Theatre.
JASON RAMOS
Jason is also a graduate of St Joan of Arc RCSS. Jason has experience as a singer/song and script writer, graphic artist, set designer and performer. He declares a passion for all things theatre both “on the boards” and backstage. He has received a placement in Ryerson University’s Performance Production program
Nicholas Gryniewski
Nicholas is a graduate of Cawthra Park Secondary School. He has appeared in the Meadowvale Theatre Encore Series with Theatre Unlimited and in his school productions. He has experience in set design and building as well as lighting design and music editing. At University he will be pursuing further education at his university’s Classical Voice/Opera and Musical Theatre program.
5. Clarkson Music Theatre formally invites our Members in Good Standing to attend CMT’s Annual General Meeting, at 7:30 pm on September 15th /2021. This AGM will be held on a social media platform (Zoom link to be provided to members only). Your AGM will include: a review of this season, exciting news on our 2022 season, a special motion to accept CMT’s revised By-Law No.1, and the election of Directors to the Board.
The following Board members, whose 2-year terms have elapsed, have agreed to run again. They include Joanne Hines, Kevin Roose, John Galbraith, and Laura Carney. Jenny Peace will run specifically for the position of Resident Music Consultant (which position is now vested as a full Director of the Board). Members in good standing are invited to forward the names of other candidates to be added to the slate of nominees for the CMT Board. Along with other requirements, nominees must be CMT members in good standing for twelve months. Candidates for Resident Music Consultant should be nominated separately and will be vetted by the Board to ensure nominees meet the musical requirements for this position. Nominations should be sent to our Board Secretary: Joanne Hines ([email protected]) Nominations close on August 16th , 2021. For further information on the nomination process, please contact Nick Forrow at [email protected] or (905) 823-1834.
Members in good standing should look for a future email on or about September 1st with further details on:
a) How to attend the Sept. 15 AGM (instructions and zoom link)
b) The Agenda for the Sept. 15th /2021 AGM
c) The Minutes of CMT’s 2020 AGM
d) Detailed reports by scheduled presenters
e) Clarkson Music Theatre’s By-Law No.1 September 2021 (having been reviewed by members August 16th)
f) The list of final nominees for the board (including names of those standing for re-election)
g) Your ballot and proxy should you be unable to attend the Sept.15th AGM.
To lawfully hold an AGM, CMT requires a quorum. It is important that you either attend the Zoom AGM or that you send your electronic ballot / proxy. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.
The CMT Board of Directors extends its gratitude for your patience and support during this difficult year. We are confident that, with the continued safe practices of our community, we will return to sing, dance, and play together as soon as we can. Stay well all!
Finally, a personal note from our President, Rita Ferguson:
Hi to all CMT members, I hope you are all doing well. This past year and a half has been a very different and strange year in many ways. I know I have really missed singing and performing as I am sure you have also. Brighter times are ahead, and we look forward to getting back to being on stage and seeing each other once again. It’s been a hard year for so many groups. I would like the thank the CMT board who have continued to work on behalf of CMT throughout the pandemic. Looking forward to seeing you at our zoom AGM. Enjoy the summer months and stay safe and well till we meet again.
Sincerely, Rita
Respectfully, The Clarkson Music Theatre Board of Directors.