The Organization
The Middlebury College Musical Players was founded as a student organization by Mark Campbell '98 and Peter Williams '99 in the fall of 1995 with the goal of producing quality musical theatre at Middlebury College. The organization is wholly student-run and its membership is open to the entire student body. Like other student organizations, MCMP receives financial support from the college, and it also covers its expenses through ticket sales.
MCMP is far from being the only theatrical group on campus, but the opportunities that it offers differ significantly from those provided by Middlebury's academic departments. The Theatre Department sponsors many quality faculty- and student-directed shows each year, which tend to be "straight" (non-musical) plays. The Music Department has recently organized productions such as cabarets, operas, and more recently musicals, that have been open to music majors and other students taking voice lessons through the department. MCMP, however, offers the unique opportunity for Middlebury students from all academic fields to create and participate in their own musical theatre productions, which are widely attended by members of the college community and the town.
In recent years, MCMP has typically produced one full-scale musical and one small cabaret annually. Membership and organizational meetings are open to all students who wish to participate, and performers for each production are chosen through an audition process open to all students, as well as interested faculty, staff and community members. All aspects of the production-including musical and technical direction, set design and construction, lighting, sound, pit orchestra, publicity and ticketing-are managed by students, with minimal but much-appreciated assistance from the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL) and some devoted faculty and staff members who offer their time and advice to the organization. Musicals to be performed are chosen based on audience appeal, technical requirements and cast size so as to accommodate the interests and needs of our membership. The performances, which are generally held in McCullough Student Center, tend to be very well attended and have often sold out. The performers and production team dedicate a great deal of time and energy to their project, but typically find the experience very fun and greatly rewarding.
The Constitution
Article I: The NAME of this organization shall be the Middlebury College Musical Players (acronym: MCMP).
Article II: The PURPOSE of the organization is to produce musicals to be presented to the public community. These musicals will be open to students and faculty and run by students.
Article III: MEMBERSHIP is open to all Middlebury College students, faculty, and staff. Membership can include members of the community, if the need or desire arises to do so, and there is consent from the leader(s) of the organization.
Article IV: OFFICERS within this organization are as follows:
- ADMINISTRATOR: The administrator is elected once a year, by and from the members of the organization. The responsibilities of this office include:
1) working with the producer(s) of the current show(s) and assisting them in mailings, voice-mailings, and selecting a production team;
2) organizing and running meetings of the entire organization; and
3) performing or delegating other tasks as needed.
- TREASURER: The treasurer is elected once a year, by and from the members of the organization. The responsibilities of this office include:
1) maintaining an account of the budget of the organization, including budget records from all shows done;
2) working with the producer to generate a budget for each show;
3) presenting budgetary needs and concerns to the Financial Committee of the Student Government Association; and
4) reporting to the group on budgetary status, needs, etc. at the regular meetings
- SECRETARY: The secretary is elected once a year, by and from the members of the organization. The responsibilities of the office include:
1) taking minutes at all regular organization meetings;
2) keeping records of all shows done;
3) maintaining an accurate membership list of the organization; and
4) reporting to the organization as needed on matters including organization activities, changes to the constitution, and minutes of previous meetings.
These officers will meet as needed to organize regular meetings, plan agendas for those meetings, and to keep each other informed of what they are each doing.
- PRODUCTION TEAM: The production team consists of the following positions: Director, Producer, Music Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Set Designer/Builder (can be two separate officers), Costume Designer, Lighting/Sound Director (can be two separate officers), and Head of Props.
These positions are show-specific. This means that each show will have its own production team, composed of these positions. Production teams are chosen/organized by the producer of the show. The producer is a volunteer who has the approval of the administrator, or of the majority of the members of the organization.
Members of the organization may serve in one or more of these offices and positions at a time. These offices and positions may also be divided, as necessary, among two or more members.
Any student holding one of these offices or positions may, at their discretion, choose a faculty/staff advisor to aid them in their duties. In the case of a faculty/staff advisor for an officer, that officer must inform the administrator of the advisor. In the case of a faculty/staff advisor for a production team position, that member of the production team must inform the producer of the advisor.
Article V: ELECTIONS for the offices of administrator, secretary, treasurer, and webmaster will take place once a year, at the end of the school year. If an officer has to resign their post, or is forced to resign by two-thirds vote of the organization, then a new officer will be elected at that time.
Article VI: MEETINGS of the organization as a whole will occur on an irregular basis. At least one meeting will be held per semester. These meetings will be arranged by the officers of the organization. Meetings of the production crew, rehearsals for shows, performances, etc. are separate from these full-organization meetings, and are show-specific.
Article VII: COMMITTEES can be formed, as needed. One member of the committee must serve as chair, and another as secretary. The secretary of a committee takes minutes at meetings and keeps records of the committee activities. The chair of the committee organizes and runs meetings, and reports back to the administrator on committee activities. Other committee officials can be appointed or elected as needed. The committee chair should attend any meetings of the officers of the organization. Committees are appointed as needed, by the administrator of the organization.
Article VIII: A FINANCIAL ADVISER from the faculty/staff may be chosen by the treasurer and/or administrator to assist in the budget for the organization, or one may be chosen by a producer or director to assist in the budget of a specific show. See Article IV above, concerning appointment of faculty/staff advisors to assist officers and production team members.
Article IX: RATIFICATION: This constitution must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the organization.
Article X: AMENDMENTS must be presented to the officers of the organization at a meeting of the officers, approved by a quorum at that meeting, and then approved by a two-thirds majority of the members of the organization.
Respectfully submitted, Peter Williams
Approved by the SGA, October 30, 1995
