a brief look at the cayman drama society. the cayman drama society is committed to staging quality...

Community TheatreA brief look at the Cayman Drama Society

The Cayman Drama Society is committed to staging quality live theatre to educate, enrich and entertain, while providing lifelong learning opportunities and fostering creative expression.

Mission statement

Short history of theCayman Drama

SocietyHow did we get to where we are today?

In September 1970 a group including Stanley Panton, John and Valerie Morgan and John Maples decided to bring theatre to Grand Cayman.

In late 1970, others including John Furze and Peter Phillips joined the informal group and the play “See How They Run” was performed.

CDS was founded in April 1971 as a direct result of the success of the play.

CDS – Early history

Some 40 plays were presented in the next 10 years at the Town Hall and at the Catholic School. A permanent home was needed.

Bill Bazelmans and Arnie Sumarlidason gave a lease to CDS for the land at Prospect for a total of 100 years in two 50 year periods.

Some CI$45,000 were raised, plans for a small theatre were drawn and the foundation and steelwork were erected.

CDS – Laying a foundation

Mrs. Helen Harquail donated funds for the new rival Inn Theatre Company to build a theatre off West Bay Road, the site of the current Harquail Centre.

This dried up fund-raising for CDS since people could not see that two theatres would be needed.

The Prospect site became inactive and overgrown and CDS reverted to using whatever locations it could to stage plays.

CDS – Competing interests

In 1989, Peter and Penny Phillips led a committee tasked with examining whether the Prospect building could be completed and at what cost.

It was determined that CI$50,000 would enable completion for use as a workshop theatre. The Society gave the go-ahead to seek a loan facility.

Jack and Evelyn Andresen, two members of the Society, generously donated US$50,000 and a new theatre, the Prospect Playhouse, was born, opening its doors in October of 1990 with the production “Pirate Princess”.

CDS – Back to the Future

In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan ripped away most of the walls and roof surrounding the stage and devastated the Playhouse.

Peter Phillips headed a team of volunteers creating a tarpaulin-backed stage area and plays went ahead.

Rebuilding since then has allowed the inclusion of storage for props and wardrobe. The stage roof was lifted to allow flying in of sets. Additional area was made available adjacent to the stage allowing for more complex productions

CDS – Ivan and onwards…

CDS – Ivan and onwards…

CDS is 37 years old. It has staged over 150 productions. It has staged the world premieres of

◦ Magna Carta – The Musical◦ Watler’s War

It introduced professional “flying” to Cayman in its production of Peter Pan during which four cast members were flown.

It is entirely volunteer. It is registered as a charity.

CDS – Some facts…

Structure of theCayman Drama

SocietyHow does community theatre operate?

Committee structure

Executive Committee

Theatre Management Committee

Membership Committee

Media and Public

Relations

Fund Raising Committee

Social Committee

Schools Liaison

Chairman Theatre Manager Secretary Treasurer Executive Committee members (3 – 5)

The Executive Committee

Committee membership and role is by election at the Annual General Meeting. If insufficient Executive Committee members are elected, then the Executive may invite members of the Society to fill the vacancies.

To set policy for the Society To manage the assets of the Society To approve all capital expenditures To create committees and appoint members To approve all productions To approve third-party use of the theatre To report annually to the membership

Responsibilities: Executive Committee

Chairman◦ To chair all meetings of the Executive◦ To provide a casting vote in the case of a tied vote

Theatre Manager◦ To manage the day-to-day operations of the

theatre Secretary

◦ To keep the records of the Society◦ To take and circulate Minutes of all meetings

Treasurer◦ To keep the accounts of the Society

Specific Roles: Executive Committee

Responsible for day-to-day operations◦ Theatre rentals◦ Productions management◦ Maintenance and repairs◦ Enhancements◦ Theatre access and security◦ Consumables and supplies


Responsible for day-to-day operations◦ Theatre rentals

There is a schedule of charges for theatre rental, whether the production is a CDS production or a third-party production.

Schools and charities receive preferential rates. Rate covers use of facility including utilities, sound

and lighting but does not cover technical assistance. Technical assistance can be provided for a fee.


Responsible for day-to-day operations◦ Theatre rentals◦ Productions management

A facility booking calendar is kept based on an application form which allows the Producer of the production to specify rehearsal, technical and dress rehearsal and performance dates, all of which have different fees and terms and conditions.

Skilled TMC members can assist productions which are using inexperienced stage and production crew.

TMC will also address any special needs for productions and advise whether they can be met.


Responsible for day-to-day operations◦ Theatre rentals◦ Productions management◦ Maintenance and repairs

TMC is responsible for the upkeep of the theatre and its grounds including Public areas – foyer, restrooms, bar, gardens Cast areas – dressing rooms, rehearsal areas, green

room Stage and offstage areas Technical areas – lighting and sound Storage areas – props, wardrobe, lights, furnishings and

special effects


Responsible for day-to-day operations◦ Theatre rentals◦ Productions management◦ Maintenance and repairs◦ Enhancements

Evaluating space and equipment requirements and proposing new acquisitions to Executive Committee

Liaison with bidders and contractors Management of retentions held against contract

completion and warranties


Responsible for day-to-day operations◦ Theatre rentals◦ Productions management◦ Maintenance and repairs◦ Enhancements◦ Theatre access and security

Visiting the theatre in the event of security alerts Controlling access to specified individuals only

Theatre management designees Producer of the next production Bar Manager


Responsible for day-to-day operations◦ Theatre rentals◦ Productions management◦ Maintenance and repairs◦ Enhancements◦ Theatre access and security◦ Consumables and supplies

Purchase and distribution to usage point for all consumables and supplies excluding food and beverage.

Ensuring that a sufficient stock of production consumables is always available – lamps, gels etc.


Chairman Committee members (3 – 5)

The Membership Committee

Committee membership and role is by invitation of the Chairman who is appointed by the Executive Committee.

• Maintains the Membership database• Develops programmes to attract new membership• Provides a periodic e-mail newsletter to all members• Operates a Public Relations and Media sub-committee• Authorises all written or pictorial content supplied to media• Develops news releases to inform the general public


The Public Relations and Media Sub-Committee

Committee membership and role is by invitation of the Chairman who is appointed by the Executive Committee. The Chairman of this committee is a de facto member of the Membership Committee.

• Authorises all written or pictorial content supplied to media• Approves all programmes supplied during productions• Develops news releases to inform the general public• Coordinates CDS attendance and/or promotion at functions• Maintains the Society’s web site


The Fund-Raising Committee


• Designs corporate and private sponsorship programmes• Approaches potential sponsors• Develops coverage for corporate sponsors• media coverage through the PRAM sub-committee• advertising in audience programmes

• Coordinates special invitation-only events for sponsors


The Social Committee


• Plans and stages events which bring Society members together• Provides through such events a vehicle for personal networking


The Schools Liaison Committee

Committee membership and role is by invitation of the Chairman who is appointed by the Executive Committee at the recommendation of the Theatre Management Committee. The Schools Liaison Committee Chairman is a de facto member of the Theatre Management Committee.

• Acts as an interface between schools and CDS• Provides assistance to drama teachers in multiple ways:• Theatre tours• Practical workshops• Classroom visits• Work experience on live productions

• Assists with equipment loans were practical and possible

Structure of theCayman Drama

SocietyWhat are the physical components of a theatre?

Box office – ticket sales and checking Foyer – programme-linked displays Food and beverage bar with kitchen Auditorium – 140 seats or 70 diners Stage and off-stage storage - 12/16’ sets Technical areas – lights and sound booths Green room and Male/Female dressing

rooms Other facilities including rehearsal area,

library, props and wardrobe storage, office

Physical components

Pysical components

The ground floor of The Prospect Playhouse

Tiered seating for audience viewing comfort Up to 140 seats for normal theatre Up to 70 seats at 20 tables for dinner

theatre Air-conditioned High quality power-amplified speakers Comfortable seating - stackable for storage Also used for art and other exhibitions

Physical components -Auditorium

28’ wide by 30’ deep usable acting space 12’ or 16’ flats can be used for sets Storage overhead for 2 x 12’x16’ flats which can

be flown in in seconds as a back wall More than 75 lights, either overhead the stage

or over the auditorium – some focusable 16’ of storage SR and 10’ of storage SL Small/large hydraulic manlifts for overhead work Black tabs, legs, borders are adjustable Lighting rack with auxiliary controller is SR

Physical components -Stage

Modern DMX light controller Capacity for 96 lights Sequence-programmable Chase scenes Portable – can be moved to stage or

auditorium during lights setup by Director and Lighting Designer

Physical components -Lighting

Modern theatre quality mixer 2 x CD players and double tape-deck Amplifiers Feeds from

◦ Overhead stage microphones◦ Front-of-stage microphones◦ Wireless microphones

Feeds to◦ Auditorium, foyer, green room, dressing rooms and

upper rehearsal areas◦ On-stage speakers for singers

Physical components -Sound

On-stage storage for set components, props and wardrobe for current production

250 sq ft of storage for technicals – lights etc 100 sq ft of storage for props upstairs

◦ Pictures, tableware, household items etc 250 sq ft of storage for wardrobe upstairs

◦ 100’s of individual items of clothing◦ Shoes, hats, wigs

400 sq ft of storage for set construction elements such as timber and plywood as well as for elements retained for use in future productions

200 sq ft of storage for chairs and tables

Physical components -Storage

Well equipped kitchen allowing for the hosting of Dinner Theatre

Bar and bar storage areas Restrooms including handicapped facilities Rehearsal area upstairs allowing a second

production to be in rehearsal while the stage is in use by the current production. This is vital for musicals which can also require two rehearsal areas.

New office facility upstairs

Physical components -Other

Productions by theCayman Drama

SocietyWhat kind of productions have been staged?

In keeping with its Mission Statement, CDS presents entertainment which reaches out to all aspects of Cayman’s community

Each year, a balanced programme is aimed for so that there will be something for everyone – both actors and audiences

Productions selected take account of community values and tastes in order that audiences will rarely be offended

Productions - Philosophy

Find The Lady – a murder mystery You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown Watler’s War – a Cayman play - premiere A Night of Broadway – Dance and song Two Acts and a Donkey - Club nights Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Productions – A sampling - 2008

The King And I – musical The Reticence of Lady Anne / Last

Panto in Grand Cayman / Are You Being Served

Arsenic And Old Lace – murder mystery Forever Plaid – Musical The Story Of Jack and the Beanstalk


Beruit Fiddler on the Roof Sleeping Beauty


1990 – Pirate Princess 1991 – Fallen Angels (with CNCF) 2006 – Elmina’s Kitchen 2007 – Miriamy 2008 – Watler’s War

Productions – Caribbean

Membership of theCayman Drama

SocietyWho can be a member?

Member Categories◦ Life Member◦ Member – 18 and older◦ Student Member – 17 and under

Membership criteria◦ Must complete an application form◦ Must be approved by the Executive

Committee◦ May be rejected in extreme circumstances

CDS Membership

Membership is open to all without distinction of any kind.

Members drive the Society forward through their voting for candidates for the CDS Executive Committee, and through their participation in the annual Production Meeting

Members are kept informed through periodic e-mails and the CDS website:◦ http://www.cds.ky

CDS Membership

a brief look at the cayman drama society. the cayman drama society is committed to staging quality...

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