Back before the modern indicator of advanced civilization (i.e. before there was a Starbucks) in Columbus, Ohio, a group of organizational pioneers looked around and knew that live theatre was prominent in central Ohio because they were actively involved in such. Yet, alas, among the public, most persons seemed unaware of live theatre opportunities. Individual theatre companies were so busy with the magnitude of tasks involved with productions, that there did not seem to be anyone to build primary demand awareness of live theatre with the public locally. So, these hearty pioneers constructed a solution – a humble alliance of organizations to support the presence of live theatre in Central Ohio – the Theatre Roundtable.

Firman H. Brown sent a letter on September 17, 1986 to 25 persons with various theatre companies and schools for an October 2 meeting to help start the Theatre Roundtable of Central Ohio (TR). In February of 1987 following correspondence in 1986, several persons from various organizations met and approved the preliminary structure of the Theatre Roundtable of Central Ohio and the statement of the mission. The mission statement reads “The Theatre Roundtable is committed to the belief that knowledge of, and participation in, the theatre arts is central to human existence.

The Roundtable shall
-act as a lobbyist
-promote cooperation among local theatre
-encourage the development of theatre-in-education
-foster theatrical diversity
-work to expand the general theatre-going population and
-endorse the development of professional standards.”

During 1987, much of the planned joint activity of TR members appears to have been distributing an audience survey. Plans for theatre week were also discussed. Regarding organizational needs, the Ohio Theatre Alliance was approved to act as the fiscal agent for TR in November of 1987. Sometime between June and August of 1987, the Ohio Theatre Alliance became a 13th member of TR. Other members included Players Theatre, Reality Theatre, OSU, Center Stage Theatre, Otterbein College, Actors Summer Theatre, Columbus Junior Theatre, Players Th. Youth Th., Gallery Players, CATCO, Ohio Wesleyen U., and Capital U. In November of 1987, the initial by-laws were approved. In December of 1987, TR unanimously approved the following resolution: “That the Theatre Roundtable go on record as supporting the concept of an alternative high school for the performing and visual arts and will lend support to the development of such a program.” Rounding out the year’s completion, TR had a table at the Designer Craftsman’s Winterfair in December of 1987.

For the 1987/88 season the board of TR was comprised of: Firman Brown, President; Charles Dodrill, Secretary; Ed Graczyk, 1st Vice President; Geoff Nelson, 2nd Vice President; and Patricia Ellson, Treasurer. In January of 1988, thirteen companies participated in a theatre sampler - 5 shows for $25. During February of 1988, TR passed the following resolution: “The Theatre Roundtable would like to go on record in support of the GCAC Long Range Plan and lend our support to the accomplishment of the goals and objectives for 1987-1992 as identified in the report”. Records show that the first TR brochure was being worked on in February of 1988 also. The first filing for incorporation was placed during May 18, 1988 – record #725333. In early June of 1988, the TR had a promotional booth for various theatres at the GCAC Arts Festival. During October of 1988, Frank Barnhardt was elected as secretary with the other board members repeating a term. This started a somewhat regular rotation of officers for TR over the years. Also, during autumn of 1988 a 4-hour retreat was arranged to discuss the Theatre Roundtable purpose and future.

During June of 1989, the new board members were Geoff Nelson, President; Frank Barnhardt, Secretary; Ed Graczyk, 1st Vice President; Michael Paulsen, 2nd Vice President; and Pat Ellson, Treasurer. The statistics comprised for 1988/89 season for TR companies yielded 107 productions with 1224 performances and audience of 363,200. This equates to an audience estimate of just under 300 per performance.

October of 1989 was theatre month and utilized much of TR’s planning efforts that year. The goals of theatre month were: awareness [increased], audience development, audience education, and a collaborative effort of TR. During October 21, 1989 an open auditions session was scheduled with a $5 cost for those auditioning. Also, in 1989, the achievements of TR were listed as: the 1989 brochure Live One Thousand Lives, collaborative booths at Winterfair and Columbus Arts Festival, ticket exchange, minority outreach through the King Center during Summer 1989, other Arts group activities, and physical disability accessibility activities. Guest speakers, such as Michelle Toney of the Columbus Dispatch, became a somewhat regular TR activity at meetings or special events. Another achievement in autumn 1989 included publicity of October Theatre month with WCMH providing PSA’s as well as a story on the 11 o’clock news.

The legal status meanderings of TR have been an interesting journey. In August of 1989, it was reported that the refiling for tax-exempt status was completed with the correct forms that time. During November 1989, a notice from the IRS reported that TR’s tax exempt approval should be arriiving soon. In January of 1990, tax exempt status was received with ID#31-1287116 and the books were transferred from OTA to Treasurer Ellson of TR. Also, on August 29, 1990, the Theatre Roundtable Articles of Incorporation were filed in Columbus, Franklin County with Firman Brown, Geoffrey Nelson, and Patricia Ellson filing.

With the enhanced self-sufficiency of TR from OTA, members decided to not have a joint booth at the GCAC Arts festival of 1990. Several companies were going to have their own booths. This shift of activity was part of a continuing evolvement of TR toward finding what place TR, of itself, had in Central Ohio. What the various members of TR did seem to agree on based on amount of effort seen in archives for TR was… fundraising. Funds were needed so that sometime in the future, primary demand promotion efforts could be implemented. The means of attaining such fundraising settled on the idea of the Broadway Ball – first scheduled for October 5, 1990. Other concerns in 1990 included supporting the NEA, the theatre sampler, and other Theatre month (October) activities. There was also some discussion of gradiated fees based on revenues for members yet, the “= fees =say” contingent kept a flat rate for the fee structure.

The first Broadway Ball was planned as a big band dance – 1940’s style with entertainment, a silent auction, food, drink, decorations, costumes, publicity, and ticket sales planned. Admission was priced at $25. During the November 1990 meeting of TR, the Broadway Ball was announced as a success with 2929.08 as net profit and the reservation placed for the following season for the 2nd Broadway Ball. The Broadway Ball’s success also received news coverage in the October 23 1990 issue of the Columbus Dispatch. The article included quotes from Bill Goldsmith and Fran Bay.

Subsequently, the Broadway Ball continued to be a huge effort of TR activities. In October of 1991, the net profit of Broadway Ball 1991 was approximately $3300. The Broadway Ball in 1992 yielded net profits of approximately $2900.

In early 1990, TR members were calling for the Dispatch review process clarification as the coverage of the Dispatch became rather frequently called into question by TR meeting attendees. Also, during November of 1990, there was some discussion of whether to continue October as Theatre month. The new officers as of 11/08/90 were: Geoff Nelson, President; Pat Ellson, 1st Vice President, Bob Tolan, 2nd Vice President; Bill Goldsmith, Secretary; and Frank Barnhardt, Treasurer.

During early 1991, a note sent to the Columbus Dispatch was appreciative of some revamped and new listings. This seemed to present a large shift from a rather chagrined viewpoint documented in meeting notes from February. Also in February, there were various ideas discussed about the ticket sampler, a theatre festival in Columbus, and participation in the Ameriflora event. In March 1991, TR basically agreed that the Ameriflora assessment was unrealistic.

During April 1991, Grandparents Living Theatre was approved as a full member. TR approved a by-laws revision. There was some discussion about an awards event with TR. The slate of officers in Summer of 1991 were: Robert Tolan, President; Pat Ellson, 1st Vice President; Mary Delleseger, 2nd Vice President; Bill Goldsmith, Secretary; and Cheri Mitchell, Treasurer.

One TR benefit that six performance companies participated in was the October 22, 1991 “Theatre for hunger” fundraiser. Spotlight Dinner Theatre, CATCO, Center Stage, OSU, Columbus Jr. Theatre, and Players Theatre all had performances that night with proceeds going to support hunger relief efforts. Also during 1991, TR hosted a cash bar for the OTA conference in October. Membership efforts continued to be of concern during autumn of 1991. Discussions ensued about OCTA and Columbus City Schools also being invited to attend as TR continued to seek its place.

During the latter part of 1991, concern was expressed regarding GCAC funding. It seems that the GCAC rejected all but one theatre project proposal as their attention shifted to other projects including the 500 year anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery and the projects therewith.

1992 comprised a busy year of activity and involvements for TR. During 1992, TR participated with a waste exchange proposal for Franklin County. Also during 1992, the profits from prior Broadway Balls were contracted with Clary Communications with their marketing plan developed for TR. Please note that the Clary Communications plan is a promotional plan as they were provided the objectives for development. Other parts of the marketing mix of TR really were not examined in Clary’s plan. The cost of promotional activities planned equalled $6000 with half of that going to Clary Communications as fees for their services. In March of 1992, the Clary Communications plan delineated that TR should implement a comprehensive resource guide, a centralized hotline, PSA’s, special events such as Theatre Week, secure a media sponsor, and a press conference should be held. Ongoing negotiations with Clary over payment continued as there was no press conference and one company’s promo tab was left out of the resource guide.

TR conducted a survey regarding the GCAC among members in May of 1992. They also conducted a statistics project in 1992 with a 1995 and 1997 followup. Also, after a meeting on June 27, the Central Ohio arts forum met in August of 1992 for a meeting facilitated by Mary Marrill. GCAC was asked not to attend in a letter dated July 23, so that the participants’ candor could be freer.

TR did participate with an Arts Forum where 26 persons from 20 arts organizations represented area arts concerns and the forum participated in a mailing to GCAC. From that meeting, the suggestion to meet informally with GCAC representative Hanley was made after listing the pros and cons of GCAC at that time.

Forums became an important part of the focus of TR in 1992. These included forums with GCAC and a session with critics. The 2nd annual critics forum was held during October is Theatre month. A policy committee of TR which handled mission and direction of TR guided those discussions. The Theatre Enterprise Fund of Ohio began another experiment regarding local theatre in 1992. The sources of support for TR member companies’ theatre projects were becoming more diffuse. In April of 1992, TR added the category of Associate membership in its by-laws.

In 1992, TR developed the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable Resource Guide as suggested by Clary Communications. This featured sixteen theatres with their 1992-93 planned season.

These included Actor’s Theatre, Capital U. Theatre, Columbus Junior theatre, CATCO, Davis, Gallery Players, Grandparents Living Theatre, New Venture Theatre, New World Theatre, OSU Theatre, Otterbein College, Players Theatre, Reality Theatre, Spotlight Dinner Theatre, Theatre Project, and Weathervane Theater. Spotlight Dinner Theatre became a full member in July of 1992 with Weathervane joining a few months later. The geographic scope of TR was becoming more truly Central Ohio compared to primarily confined within Franklin County. According to the statistics project reported in Autumn of 1992, The Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable annually had 156 shows, 1808 performances and an audience of approximately 600,000 persons via its 19 producers including Broadway series. That represents an average of 330 audience members per performance!?!

During the October meeting of 1992, Pat Ellson became president of the TR organization. From the archives it looks like this was temporary due to others’ career changes and the slate of officers accepted in November of 1992 included: Bob Tolan, president; Chuck Schlaegel, 1st Vice President; Larry Pfiel, 2nd Vice President; Tod Wilson, Secretary; and Cheri Mitchell, Treasurer.

By November 1992, much of the agenda of TR was organized around specific projects. These project reports included those with Clary Communication, the Broadway Ball, the Critics Forum, and the Roundtable Vital statistics report. This project orientation structure has continued for at least 10 years with the annual projects now being the awards banquet, unified auditions, high school audience development, and other such projects.

Within the archives, a Plain Dealer news-story dated January 31, 1993 remarks how the Cleveland Arts consortium is big business. At about this same time, TR was working with Mill James constructing the PSA shoot. From this and other information at the time, TR appears to have been focused on growth of scope. During 1993, the February meeting focused on ADA guidelines with a guest speaker. March 1993 was designated by the AATE as theatre in our schools month. Also during early 1993, Mills James worked on the PSA short for TR. Part of the project with Clary Communications was developing realistic expectations of PSA’s and promotional efforts. The original script had to be paired down from the $50,000 project that it was. Local talent donated their efforts formulating the cast.

The September 1, 1994 meeting yielded a new slate of officers. They included: Mike Schirtzinger, President; Bob Wharton, 1st Vice President; Cheri Mitchell, 2nd Vice President; Tod Wilson, Secretary; and Bill Goldsmith, Treasurer. The first edition of a TR newsletter was printed in October 1994. This 1994 edition would be followed by an initial “premiere” issue of a TR newsletter in 1995.

One of the events being discussed in 1994 for participation was the 1st Night event. During Autumn of 1994 there was a TR retreat facilitated by Julie Gruber. The purpose was to attain “renewed agreement among the membership.” A priority list was developed subsequently from this meeting. Regarding how other similar organizations were operating compared to TR, the PACT brochure of Cleveland was examined as an example. TR’s newsletter and modifications were being discussed. Also, the National Arts Stabilization Fund was being discussed.

By February of 1995 after the retreat, TR had developed a working list of priorities of TR. Regarding long-range planning, this is one of the earlier documents that focus on overall strategy and, thus, identity of TR. These priorities are found in a January 1995 document with five strategic areas. They include: 1) networking opportunities, 2) collaboration projects, 3) media relations, 4) advocacy efforts, and 5) links with academic institutions.

During Spring of 1995, TR became focused on offering individual memberships. In order to pursue this new source of potential revenue and influence, TR derived a list of benefits that individual members would have. They include job listings, advance notice of auditions, class opportunities, calendar of events, theatre news and notes, discount tickets, quarterly speakers, and advocacy as TR speaks up for the arts in the region. While deriving this list, TR also reexamined the benefits full members receive. Those include a full vote, networking, listing in all TR publications, program listing in member programs, resource exchange, ticket exchange, speakers at meetings, advocacy, visibility with recognition and status, and monthly meeting attendance (service).

The 1994-1995 annual statistics for central Ohio state that 135 productions and 1656 performances were delivered to an audience of about 1/2 million. Of course, these figures would indicate that the average audience size per performance was about 300.

In autumn of 1995, the TR newsletter had its premiere issue. This follows an earlier volume 1, issue 1 newsletter from October of 1994. Whichever of these two documents counts as TR’s official first newsletter, the distribution of such represents a turning point.

TR started to become more similar to other regional performing arts service organizations with regard to products or services offered. Again, TR’s industry is comprised of performing arts service organizations while TR’s full members are involved in the live theatre production industry. This trend toward industry similarity would continue with recurring annual events that would be added through the remainder of the 1990’s.

By autumn 1995 another milestone had been reached regarding membership. Twenty organizations were now for-distribution documented as belonging to TR. These included: A Premier Playhouse, Actor’s Theatre Company, Capital University, Columbus Junior Theatre, Columbus Theatre Association (Broadway Series), CATCO, Curtain Players, Davis Performing Arts for Youth, Gallery Players, Grandparents Living Theatre, Little Theatre Off Broadway, New Venture Theatre, OSU, Ohio Theatre Alliance, Ohio Wesleyen U., Otterbein College Theatre, Reality theatre, Red Herring Theatre Co., Rosebriar Shakespeare Co., and Weathervane Playhouse. While some growth occurred, some theatre companies had left the scene between 1987 and 1995.

On January 25, 1996, the first “Roundtable Rag” is printed. This is at least the third attempt at creating a regular newsletter of TR. This newsletter with subsequent adjustments, including with the name change in July of 2000, is successfully employed and becomes an additional source of historical information. The first issue provided information about member discounts, interviews with new member theatres, announcement of member theatre shows and projects, audition opportunities, and meeting announcements.

January 1997’s issue of the Roundtable Rag in addition to sections mentioned earlier, also included the Secretary’s report which mentioned the elimination of quarterly meetings in favor of having as many as possible attend the monthly meetings. The issue also included a spotlight interview with Michael Grossberg with much of the text of that interview concerned with theatres obtaining publicity. At this time, five subcommittess of focus for TR were designated as program, membership, shared facilities, media, and nonprofit status. All of these areas continue to be concerns today. Bo Brown received a Central Ohio Critics Award for founding the Theatre Roundtable on January 9, 1997.

During April of 1997, the board of officers were: President, Bill Goldsmith; 1st VP, Pat Shannon; 2nd VP, Michael Garrett Herring; Secretary, Dawn Farrell; Treasurer, Jim Dalgarn; and Imme. Past pres. Michael Schirtzinger. Reports in the Roundtable Rag included those regarding shared facilities, an artist/volunteer database, and media committee reports.

While some board minutes are not available in the archive, the September 1997 minutes discussed officers’ reports, membership & discounts, website development, Directors’ studio branch from NYC, facility report, CAPA speaker Rosa Stolz, newsletter, logo, the program committee, and other announcements. Rosa Stolz asked for help in promoting Umabatha. October 1997’s meeting included the usual reports with a special focus on the topic of Equity Open Auditions. Since part of TR’s mission is to support professionalism in the theatre community, the lack of equity opportunities at the time were voiced as a cause for concern. Other news included the official start of Columbus State Community College’s Theatre Department – paving the way for greater theatre-in-education involvement of TR. November 1997’s meeting included previous report activities. There was some controversy over the delayed newsletter. Also, the Student High School Audience Development committee was formed.

During January 1998’s monthly meeting, the web site was reportedly already running. The media committee was seeking to rerun the Mill Jones PSA of five years earlier. An updated brochure was being developed. The facility committee report generated the most concern. The decision chosen at the meeting was to contact the GCAC about the shared facility effort. The February 1998 meeting was well attended and had several guests attending from the Critics circle. The media committee report noted some successes as well as some changes. The High School Audience Development Committee provided a report with suggestions after only being formed in November. The Critics Circle reported on awards given and participated in a question/answer session.

Also during the February 1998 meeting, a brief discussion of the mission statement after the need for a common denominator among theatre members was posed. This concern is common among not-for-profits. Yet, the contemporary multifaceted approach of TR at the time was attracting new members. The struggle between a tighter depth of focus that may yield a greater sense of unity and the greater breadth of focus that can attract more different types of members has been a repetitive concern.

The March 1998 meeting included notification that a change in banks for the TR account had been made due to lower costs. The report included newsletter, web site, program committee, media committee, and high school audience development committee reports as well as other regular reports. New developments included the High Five program of $5.00 tickets for high school students. The program committee continued to focus on equity actor auditions.

At the April 1998 meeting, the Lawyers Performance Ensemble and Footsteps of the elders joined TR. The web sit was reportedly complete with an on-line membership form. Also during the April meeting, the facility report continued with most of the discussion updating others about what was occurring with regards to various facilities. Also, the High five program continued to progress. The Unified auditions program committee finalized with the focus shifting from primarily equity to both equity and nonequity actors. Yet, equity status remained a key differentiating status among participants. The first Unified Auditions are announced during May of 1998.

Among the May 1998 reports, the newsletter had been delayed due to a lack of entries as summer was dark for most theatres.

The upcoming unified auditions event was discussed. The facility committee reported that TAPs, Athanaeum, and a site across form Buggy Works were all being examined closely for a shared facility. The High School audience development committee reported that the High Five program planned to commence in June.

The new roster of TR’s elected officers in May of 1998 were: President, Frank Barnhart; 1st Vice Pres., Brian Falck; 2nd Vice Pres., Pat Shannon; Secretary, Dawn Farrell; Treasurer, Jim Dalgarn. During June and July 1998, minutes reflect that the executive committee met. The facility discussion momentum continued. Also, one of the discussions centered upon TR sponsoring OSU’s Continuing Education Program’s Workshops. This proposal was approved on principle during the September 1998 meeting.

Among the usual items discussed at monthly meetings, the September 1998 meeting discussed discounts and comp’s policies as some persons were said to have overextended the privilege. The newsletter continued to be a focus of the meeting. Unified auditions were now made a separate committee. Some committees such as the media committee had difficulty with scheduling.

The facility committee had approached utilizing the GCAC to provide the consultant for an in-depth facility research project report. The report on brochures shifted focus toward member theatres promoting the theatre roundtable in their communications.

The November 1998 meeting yielded an important shift with the newsletter. After the previous editor resigned, Gaye Spetka was hired as the editor for $100 per issue in order to get the newsletter out. Most of the remainder of the meeting focused on the GCAC consultant. Susan Franano discussed survey questions related to the facility project.

During the December 1998 meeting different committee reports included: Secretary’s report, Treasurer’s report, Membership report, Web site report, Program committee report, Unified Auditions report, High School Audience Development report, Facility report, and the Newsletter report with the minutes indicating a growing excitement over the new arrangement with Gaye Spetka.

For the January 1999 Roundtable Rag, the format presentation was modified and an additional section of President’s notes written by Frank Barnhart. The TR database reached a level of 199 persons with 25 theatres listed.

The January 1999 meeting was held without a quorum attending. The program discussion included joint efforts of TR with another organization OCTA. Joint effort projects are one example where TR having official 501©3 status would be helpful in accomplishing its goals. Discussion at the meeting included the importance of having multiple events for individual members as well. A conversation regarding the newsletter and “advertisements” was held. Among other matters, the unified auditions committee plans continued. The facility report project had experienced delays due to low response by member theatres.

At the February 1999 meeting, Tony, Basil, Director of Continuing Education at OSU, helped clarify some contract issues and then agreed to back the sponsorship of classes program by TR. A motion carried to pursue these courses. Other reports continued. The Critics Circle Panel were guests.

The Theatre Use study was available in February 1999 from questionnaire responses during August of 1998. This study was prepared by Susan Franano. A majority sampling of relevant theatre members of TR were included in the analysis. The market research recommended a multi-performance space for 3+ resident companies and the pursuit of such a space.

The Feb./March/Apr. 1999 Roundtable Rag Consisted of usual sections plus a strong focus on the 2nd annual Unified auditions. The board of officers were: President, Frank Barnhart; 1st VP Pat Shannon; 2nd VP, Brian Falck; Secr., Dawn Farrell; Treas., Jim Dalgarn; and Imme. Past Pres., Bill Goldsmith. The weekly paper Columbus Alive was said to have increased theatre coverage in 1999 and has since maintained such adding more publicity for the local theatre market.

During the March 1999 meeting, COSI’s Spectrum Players were added to the membership roster of TR. The newsletter name changed dropping the word “rag.” During a discussion about the newsletter, “Central Ohio” was recommended to be more prominently displayed in TR’s communications. The more prominent regionalizing of the organization helps differentiate it from other Ohio organizations.

The May 1999 meeting included the membership report – a new level of 33 organizations were now represented at the Roundtable. The unified auditions report and discussion recommended a “professional time” for the auditionees. This has subsequently been adopted.

The high school audience development committee expanded their efforts for reach with a summer kickoff. The current board representatives continued into another year.

The Roundtable Rag in the Summer of 1999 featured an article on internships, a unified auditions report, president’s report, editor’s notes, actors’ workshop article as a new feature, and other sections.

The primary foci of the November 1999 meeting were the basic reports and signing people to specific committees in an attempt to increase each individual’s involvement. December 1999 meeting minutes noted that the brochure and letterhead were redesigned. The newsletter person resigned. The facility report continued with most locations too pricey. Unified Auditions continued as a focus. The work on an awards gala progressed.

The January 2000 Roundtable Rag featured articles of shows traveling outside Central Ohio to other regions of Ohio and one going to Germany. Such shows featured included “Oh, Jackie” and “I Was Young…Now I’m Wonderful.” Other sections such as season announcements, President’s notes, audition notices, etc were also included.

During February 2000, Enjoy Theatre was welcomed as a new member. The Unified Auditions and Central Ohio Awards Committee (both events involving individual members which was noted as a concern earlier) reports continued. Michael Grossberg, Dennis Thompson, and Joy Reilly attended with a focus on the awards. The facility committee report indicated a new direction – the formulation of a separate nonprofit entity. The prior direction had not yielded the desired results.

At the March of 2000 monthly meeting, the Columbus Theatre Awards Committee reported a focus on those awarded being “recognized for excellence” as it was thought that recognizing for “best” would be too divisive and exclusionary. In March 2000, the individual member renewal rate was reported as 40%. Regular reports were given. The Central Ohio awards Committee report held much of the meeting’s focus. Topics mentioned included media notices, GCAC support, various models to utilize, and joint effort with Critics Circle Awards. Also, the High School Audience Development Committee continued forming a late summer/ early autumn event.

During the monthly meeting of April 2000, several new theatres joined TR. The Unified Auditions report continued. The facility committee reported extensively and included discussion about a meeting with the mayor and Mike Brown. The facility committee was to be the prime issue for the upcoming meeting. The Web site report included a need for another webperson.

The May 2000 issue of The Roundtable Rag included 12 pages – the most of the 2000-2001 season. The size of the newsletters varied substantially based on submissions. The 3rd annual Unified Auditions were declared a success with a slight drop in number auditioning from the prior year (a participation record.) The Ohio Historical Society also premiered a theatre program featured in the newsletter. In addition to theatres’ season schedules and other regular articles, a story about Czech scenic and costume design was included in the newsletter.

According to the May 2000 meeting minutes, the awards committee continued to build momentum. Membership cards were discussed with the membership meeting. The meeting decided that all TR representatives would continue meeting during the summer with a focus on the facility committee.

The new officer slate elected included: President, Frank Barnhart; 1st Vice President, Greg Patterson; 2nd Vice President, Pam Scheer; Secretary, Dawn Farrell; and Treasurer, Jim Dalgarn.

During the June 2000 meeting, a discussion regarding membership ensued. TR decided to prod member theatres into participating more fully. In addition to usual activities, it was decided to draft a letter to send to reps regarding their need to contribute effort toward TR activities. Also reporting, the facility committee continued to pursue sites. The high school auditions committee decided on a new chair (Pam Scheer), new date and new location for the activity. During July of 2000, TR contracted with Mattson Design for the original TR webpage.

At the December 2000 meeting the usual reports were made. A motion was approved to reduce the number of newsletter copies made from 500 to 200 copies. April 28 was set as the date for the 2001 Unified Auditions. The facility committee report continued with several organizations contacted. The high school audience development committee discussed ways to improve the event for the following year including the adopt-a-school program idea. The web site needed updating for local theatres.

On January 15, 2001, the Critics Award Night is announced with TR joint support. For the January 2001 meeting, the usual reports were made. The Unified Auditions committee focused on the strong need for member theatres to attend the event. Also, increased promotions were being planned for 2001’s UA event. Contacts regarding the facility committee had recently focused on local associations. The awards event focused on an evening characterized as upscale casual for the event planned in February.

The February/March 2001 Roundtable newsletter featured an article on the Theatre Research Institute at OSU. This Institute later became the holder of TR archives. Also in this issue, the Ohio Historical Society and Black History Month programs were displayed. Among the usual reports for the February 2001 meeting, the membership committee report focused on potential new members. An advertisement for UA was chosen with cost of $230. The facility committee reported progress and discussion also included the choice of a separate nonprofit entity. Also, the meeting stressed the importance of the awards event. The high school audience development program report was extensive and included the decision to incorporate into the autumn COTA day event with the newer agenda formally adopted.

The facility committee reported during the March 2001 meeting that they had met with the Department of Health as well as others. A resolution was to be drawn up for the April meeting. According to the minutes reviewed, this is the meeting where the facility project looked most like a “go.” During this meeting, a new member joined. Plans continued for Unified Auditions. Awards night successes were discussed and plans started for the following year with changes suggested for the planned event.

During Spring elections of 2001, another roster of board members were elected. Those elected were: President, Greg Patterson: 1st Vice President, Pam Scheer; 2nd Vice President, Amy Bennett; Secretary, Dawn Farrell; and Treasurer, Jim Dalgarn. Immediate Past President Frank Barnhart rounds out the board membership.

The November 2001 Roundtable newsletter featured in addition to regular articles, an article about the 1st Annual Celebratory Awards held in February 2002. The event was oriented as a much more significant part of TR’s outreach efforts and sought to attract more individual members. Individual members were to vote for 5 shows that made a difference.

The recent support during a spring meeting of 2002 for the marketing committee of TR indicates a potential shift from a project focus to a functional area focus of TR activity.

Within the archives there is a somewhat extensive and attractively submitted history of TR compiled from Columbus Dispatch records. That history document reflects publicity of TR while this document of TR history attempts to focus on the internal process of TR.