Carlton Dramatic Society

Here are the committee, as voted in by the membership at the Annual General Meeting, July 2008, with changes included since then.

	David Hall Chair "The Boss" Responsibilities To Chair meetings, making sure agenda/relevant topics are covered, that everyone has their say, keeping members on the point, summing up points made, instituting a vote when necessary. Tactfully defusing the situation when the discussion gets heated. Making sure that the interests of all the membership are considered: younger and older, male and female, well-off and hard-up etc. Not dominating, bullying or overpowering the rest of the Committee. Book theatre venues.
Kathie Arundell Vice-chair "The Wing Commander" Responsibilities Chairing members when Chairman is absent – as (1) and (2) above. Between them, the Chairman and Vice Chairman should try to be aware of the opinions, aspirations, interests of the membership, aided by the rest of the Committee. As (3) above. Taking responsibility for booking/cancelling space: rehearsals rooms, Annual General Meeting etc. To represent the Society on the Wimbledon Community Association Committee. (This is subject to confirmation)
	Alison Raffan Secretary "The Woman of Words" Responsibilities Keeping minutes of Committee meetings. Circulating copies to Committee members and others as appropriate. Initiating and dealing with correspondence as appropriate – (typing/wordprocessing skills an advantage!) In liaison with Treasurer/Newsletter Secretary, maintaining uptodate membership list. Making appropriate arrangements for Annual General Meeting ie distribution/collection of nomination forms etc.
Andrew Candish Treasurer "The Money Man" Responsibilities Keeping us solvent; keeping our accounts up to date (and arranging audit at year-end). Being on hand to collect new members’ subscriptions particularly around audition times. Spotting possible financial implications in plans for new productions and helping directors etc to make sensible estimates and keep within them. Dealing with banking, floats, etc. Dispatching cheques to cover rights, theatre bookings etc
	Debbie Fowler/Claire Hoult Membership Secretary "The Name Collectors" Responsibilities Maintain the email accounts (including answering emails from prospective members, maintaining and updating the email address lists / folders and dealing with other emails as appropriate. Develop and update the membership database Communicate regularly with current and prospective members and keep them informed of news, productions and other events Maintain an up to date membership address list and distribute it to the membership at regular intervals Liaise with other members of the committee eg Hon Treasurer, Social and Fundraising Representatives so as to be aware of matter which need to be raised with Carlton members.
Rob de la Poer Newsletter Editor "The Communicator" Responsibilities Noting down anything arising from Committee meetings which needs to be publicised to the membership. Encouraging other members to submit letters, articles, pictures etc. Continuing to produce and distribute, as required, an informative / attractive / entertaining Newsletter which the membership will really want to read. In liaison with information received from Treasurer, distribution of membership list with Newsletter.
	Alun Goodman Publicity Person "The Press Gang" Responsibilities Press, posters, programme printing. Liaison with local schools; maintaining contact lists with Heads of Drama/Modern Languages/English so as to be aware of the syllabus. Maintaining a Source List for programme printing/costume hire/props/furniture/equipment etc (with assistance from membership and Committee members).
Jo Crabtree Social and Fundraising Officer "The Party Animal" Responsibilities To arrange social events which attract/include as many of the membership as possible: older/younger, male/female, well-off/hard-up To keep members not currently involved in a production (in touch), and part of the family. To arrange theatre trips to broaden our joint knowledge of plays and acting styles. To arrange fundraising events which are fun as well as profitable Arrangement of Raffle at productions; Christmas Party arrangements
	Jeff Graves Stage Management Officer "Smoke and Mirrors" Responsibilities Spotting the technical implications of suggested new productions; knowing the technical capabilities of the venues we use, what is possible and what will cost extra. Arranging for Director(s) to meet with Committee, as appropriate, to monitor and progress generally and specifically updating on lighting/sound/costume/props etc. Gives Committee opportunity to ensure timetables are being met relative to the original schedule that was presented. Ensuring that people are available and trained to undertake duties such as lighting and sound.

All Committee Members

1. To take a long view of the Carlton: where it is going; forward planning etc.
2. Maintaining good relations within the Society and with outside organisations: Theatres, Community Centres etc
3. Keeping in touch with the rest of the membership – eg by attending rehearsals etc
4. Arranging sufficient productions, workshops, readings etc to maintain the interest and participation of our current (large and enthusiastic) membership.

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Or, if you'd like to meet us in person, feel free to drop into one of our rehearsals, or come and talk to us after a production.

• Who are we?
• Contact details
• Committee Members
• What do we do?
• When do we meet?
• Where are we?
• How can you join?
• Any other questions?

We are a dramatic society based in Wimbledon, performing in the local theatres, and occasionally at other local venues. We are amateur in the sense that we mostly have jobs during the day, with members coming from many walks of life, but our performances run side-by-side with professional groups using the same theatres. We have been performing for nearly 80 dramatic years, and we plan to keep on going strong!

Acting

Of course, as a drama group, acting is the principle reason for our existence and the chief reason why most people want to join us. We normally perform between three and five plays at local theatres during the year. We also hold one 'Showcase' event each year, during which we perform a number of short plays or scenes, or even songs. The atmosphere for these is much less formal than our theatre productions, and is an ideal opportunity for new or less experienced members to try acting or directing, or to try something a little out of the ordinary. That's not to say that new members shouldn't audition for our theatre productions though! Many of our plays have roles for a range of acting skills - so you may not be the next Olivier (yet!), but there may still be a part for you.

Here's a description of a typical show week, after all the weeks of rehearsal

Sunday	Get in and set up in the theatre
Monday	Dress rehearsal
Tuesday	First night nerves!
Wednesday	Getting into it
Thursday	Nearly halfway
Friday	After Show Curry Meal
Saturday	Matinee / Final Show / 'Get out' of theatre / Party!
Sunday	That was fun! What's next?
...	...
Following Tuesday	POST SHOW BLUES

"One man in his time plays many parts..."

In addition to performing in plays, we also hold workshops where members may improve or learn new acting skills, play- readings where members may explore characters outside of those in our main productions, and rehearsed readings where you will get the opportunity to exercise your dramatic talents without needing to learn all your lines!

Backstage

The Carlton is not just about acting, of course. Plays would not be possible without the support of a backstage crew, and we are always open to people who would like experience of the various aspects of production. Our backstage crews consist both of actors who are not in the cast of a play, or members who have joined specifically to work on the production side of our plays.

As with our drama, we are open to new members with any level of experience - even if the various production tasks are new to you, we welcome people who are willing to learn.

Music

Even though the Carlton Dramatic Society has not so far gone in for musicals, music plays a valuable part in most of our productions. Whether it's incidental music to set the scene, or part of the script, we often need musicians to write or play music, and sometimes sing in our productions. So, if you've got a musical talent, we can put it to good use.

Sound

The Carlton is always on the lookout for someone who can operate a mixing desk! Sound in our productions varies from simply playing the right track at the right time and volume to creating complex soundscapes to recording sound effects, music and speech. If you like playing with sounds, and have got the imagination to put them to good use, you could be just the person for us!

Carlton members in dire need of
modernising their own wardrobes!

Costume

Without our wardrobe the cast would all be a bit cold! We'll always need people to stitch and sew, modify or make costumes and generally manage the wardrobe for a show.

Stage Management

If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs, and can make sure all the actors have their props and go through the right door - then you could be our next stage manager!

Rehearsals

We hold rehearsals on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm until 10.30pm at the community centre in St. George's Road, Wimbledon. Prospective members are welcome to drop into these rehearsals to meet us and find out what we get up to. For information on how to find our rehearsal rooms, please click here [FIX THIS LINK].

Social Events

Relaxing in the pub after a rehearsal

At the Carlton we provide a wide range of social activities in addition to our plays. While our rehearsals provide a weekly focus for our social life, we hold many other events throughout the year.

Receiving a 'Nettie'

No play would be complete without the after-show party, and Carlton parties are infamous for going on well into the night - and often into the next morning too! Not to be missed at after-show parties are The Netties, The Carlton's highly irreverent answer to The Oscars.

In addition to the after-show parties, we also hold various social events throughout the year. Fortunately, at our parties, we rarely use Shakespeare for recipe advice! Slightly more cerebrally (or at least slightly less drunken), we also organise visits to other theatrical events.

We have picnics in the summer, and the more energetic members of the Carlton are also known to kick a ball around in the park and have indulged in other activities such as paintballing. Our range of activities is, in fact, limited only by our members' imaginations. You can get involved as little or as much as you like!

You can find the Carlton Dramatic Society performing here:

• Wimbledon Community Centre
• New Wimbledon Studio Theatre
• Colour House Theatre

You can find the Carlton Dramatic Society rehearsing here:

• Wimbledon Community Centre

more

The Carlton Dramatic Society holds rehearsals each Monday and Thursday from 8pm until 10.30pm at Wimbledon Community Centre, St. George's Road, Wimbledon. Around productions and on bank holidays arrangements may change, so if you're planning on visiting then, please contact us first to check on arrangements.

Travelling by train/District line tube:

Leave the station by the main entrance. Cross over infront of the station and turn right. Walk to the cross-roads and cross over onto the right side of St. George's Road. Walk about half way up St. George's road - the Community Centre is the white building on the right hand side.

Travelling by bus:

Buses 156, 163 and 164 stop opposite Wimbledon Station. Alight from the bus and head for the cross-roads. Cross over St. George's Road and turn left, walking up it to the Community Centre as before. Bus no. 219 stops at the end of St. George's Road. Alight here and walk back around the corner and down St. George's Road to the Community Centre. Bus no. 57 stops outside Sainsbury's in Worple Road. Alight here and walk up Worple Road to the cross-roads with St. George's Road. Turn left along St. George's Road and left again - keep walking until you reach the Community Centre. Buses nos. 93 and 493 stop just before Wimbledon Station. Alight here, turn left and walk down towards the cross-roads, then turn left to walk up St. George's Road to the community centre.

Travelling by car:

The Community Centre is also easily accessible by car, and parking space is available in the car-park opposite.

For a more detailed map, click here.

The New Wimbledon Studio Theatre is easily accessible on Wimbledon Broadway, behind the New Wimbledon Theatre.

Travelling by train/District line tube:

Leave Wimbledon station by the Centre Court exit and carry straight on down Wimbledon Broadway until you reach Wimbledon Theatre. Walk on past the main theatre entrance and you will find the entrance to the Studio Theatre on the right. The walk should take about 5 minutes.

Travelling by Northern Line tube:

Leave South Wimbledon station and walk up Merton Road. At the top of Merton Road turn left and carry on down Wimbledon Broadway. Walk past the Odeon Cinema and carry on past the Car Park. The Studio theatre is on the left. The walk should take about 10 minutes. If you don't fancy the walk, you can pick up a No.57, 93 or 219 bus on Merton Road and get off directly outside the theatre.

Travelling by bus:

Buses nos. 57 (towards Kingston), 93 (towards Putney), 219 (towards Wimbledon) and 493 (towards Richmond) stop directly outside the theatre. The stop for these buses travelling in the opposite direction (towards Streatham, Morden and Tooting respectively) is just across the road from the theatre. Buses 156, 163, 164 and 200 stop outside or close to Wimbledon Station - follow the directions above to walk to the theatre from there.

Travelling by car:

Wimbledon Studio theatre is accessible by car with parking space available in an adjoining car park.

For a more detailed map, click here.