Become the Solution ----- Attend TheatreFest 2015

What a strange title for an article written by the Treasurer of TETA! But I have been an acting coach, a theatre director/teacher and an actress far longer than I have been a treasurer, so the language of acting comes to me much quicker than the language of finance. Borrowing from William Ball, A SENSE OF DIRECTION, “Some Observations on the Art of Directing”, I frequently said to my students “always want to DO, never want to BE” when searching for the action verbs to help them explore a character’s wants and needs, and the reasons why the character says and does what she says and does. So, when contemplating what the subject of this article could be, and when considering the roller coaster that the acquisition and reconstruction of TETA books and records has been on since January, 2014, I began to think that what I need/want (good verbs) to tell you is that TETA is currently in the black, but we need YOU to become the solution by attending TheatreFest15 and participating in workshops, and discussion groups that will shape the direction TETA will follow in the future. And since most forms of “to be” are not verbs that lead to action, I added the action verb ATTEND! Please….we need YOU; we want YOU!

You can become the Solution by wanting to contribute your voice, your ideas, your skills and talents to Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc. during the one time a year that we all gather together as K-College/University theatre educators to share, to network, and to fine tune knowledge and skills we can take back to our campuses and share with our students.

If you read Luis Munoz’s recent article, you will understand that TETA has played a significant role in the development and inclusion of Theatre Arts as a Fine Art and viable course of study in Texas schools. As the demand for an excellent education in theatre arts grew, so did the demand for excellent theatre educators. Just look at the many high schools, colleges and universities in this great state where the student of theatre can further develop the skills and talents needed to succeed in educational or professional theatre! TETA has helped nurture these programs; TETA provides a place where our members can learn from the best by attending the countless workshops taught by some of the best Master Teachers and Actors and Directors and Designers and Technicians in our country! And by the way, many of these Master Teachers are Texas born and raised and came out of the very programs I’ve been talking about.

If you read Marion Castleberry’s article “Rising Like a Phoenix”, I hope you were as inspired by his words as I was. Dr. Castleberry spoke so eloquently about where TETA has been in the last year, and where we are headed…..how we are indeed rising from the ashes to embrace a new day with excitement, energy and hope. He also explained some of the struggles we’ve been experiencing as we’ve tried to recreate the year 2013 financially without books or records.

And, I can tell you, it has been a struggle to get a handle on TETA finances because of the lack of complete books and records. But, enough has been reconstructed to file our 2013 Form 990; enough has been reconstructed to allow me to create a Chart of Accounts, with the help of a CPA who is guiding me in the process. Enough has been reconstructed so that the Board of Directors feels confident that TETA will be financially viable going forward, even though the actions of the former Treasurer have hurt the organization financially.

Hey, another reason to attend TF 15 is you will get a detailed financial report….but it will not be accompanied by music , or a light show. Just want to prepare you for the dull but cold, hard facts of TETA’s finances…..they will be presented to you at convention. But you WILL see what your money pays for! And btw, it pays for scholarships to your deserving students, and for you to further your theatre education, if you would just apply for the scholarship! It pays for the workshop spaces (not free), for the fabulous speakers and artists that Missey Head and her dedicated and hardworking committee are lining up for TF15. They will tell you more about speakers and artists in an article coming soon to your inbox. It also pays for more food and drink (non alcoholic of course) at convention for various receptions and events. And so much more….tune in at convention for details. And Jerry Ivins and his associates must be recognized for the countless man/woman hours they’ve spent negotiating, debating, arranging and finalizing all the organizational details with the Hyatt that must be ironed out so YOU will have an incredible experience at TF 15.

And now for a little housekeeping: TETA is still getting mail that has been forwarded from the former Austin address, so some of you have not told your school district accounting office that we have a new address! So, when you think we will receive your check by a certain deadline that is not happening if it first goes to Austin! YOU can fix that too, by putting the new address on everything you submit to your ISD for payment to TETA. TETA, INC. 650 W. Bough Ln., Suite 150-199, Houston, TX 77024. If your office needs a copy of the new W-9, it can be found on our website in the TETA File Cabinet.

More housekeeping: when you send a personal check, please include your TDL #, a phone number and your address. It very clearly requests this on the membership and registration forms. We do not want to start sending them back for incomplete information.

I hope you are pleased with how easy it is to pay dues and register online, and to download and print the forms you need. Thank you Darve!

In conclusion, as Dr Castleberry said, as Luis said, as Poe has said, as Scott Allen has said, as EVERYONE is saying, TETA needs you! Please stand up for and with TETA and become the Solution by attending TheatreFest15, and encourage others to join you. Help shape the future of this organization that has contributed so much to theatre educators and education in Texas. We must work Together Toward Tomorrow!

I can’t wait to see you in Houston at TheatreFest15!

With much anticipation,

Rachel Mattox, your Treasurer