Benefits of Joining the Okoboji Summer Theatre Association

The Okoboji Summer Theatre Association (OSTA)

This entry isn't about the Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST), www.okobojisummertheatre.org. Instead, it's about the OSTA, an association of volunteers who support the OST with donations of "the three T's of giving: talent, time and treasury." As with most volunteer organizations, the amount one contributes to the OSTA depends on the individual. Other than the $10.00 annual membership dues, there are no minimum participation requirements.

The OSTA: What It's Not

It's important to note that the OSTA is not a governing body. It's not a board of directors, a steering committee, or a leadership guild. The OST is owned and operated by Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, www.stephens.edu, and is in no way governed by the OSTA.

The OSTA is governed by its own officers who act as a board of directors, but only for the OSTA, not for the OST. OSTA members meet with OST senior staff several times a year and, when requested, members offer suggestions for the operation of the OST; however, the OSTA in no way runs the theatre.

OSTA Membership Benefits

Membership fees for the OSTA, due annually, are $10.00 per person. There are several benefits to being a dues-paying member of the OSTA.

The most notable benefit, at least for me, is another way to support the OST. When it comes to "the three T's of giving," I'm unable to support the OST with as much "treasury" (money) as I'd like, but the OSTA provides an opportunity to support the OST with "talent and time."

Another benefit is being invited to special events that are not open to the general public. For example, each July, the OST hosts an annual donor recognition reception complete with free drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and live entertainment. In addition to the donors, (people who support the OST with financial donations above and beyond purchasing tickets), dues-paying OSTA members are invited to the reception. As another example, each August, the OSTA hosts an annual late-night party for the OST staff and students -- formerly the annual Reed OST Party, recently renamed the Grand Finale Party -- and OSTA members are invited to attend as long as they help out as hosts.

OSTA members who pay their dues by the annual spring meeting in May are listed in the OST program distributed at performances of all nine OST mainstage productions.

Dues-paying members also receive email correspondence from the OSTA officers regarding upcoming meetings, special events, social gatherings, performing arts outings, ushering for some of the OST musicals, and other opportunities to support the OST. For example, so far this spring, OSTA members have been invited to group outings for performances by the Cherokee Symphony Orchestra, Many Voices Choir, and Lakes Community Theatre (LCT), www.lakescommunitytheatre.org.

OSTA Meetings and Other Events

The OSTA meets at least three times a year. Ad hoc meetings are sometimes called, but there are just three regularly scheduled meetings each year. Representatives of the OST senior staff attend all three meetings.

The winter meeting is in late January during the Saturday of the annual University of Okoboji Winter Games, www.uofowintergames.com. The spring meeting is in mid or late May, following the arrival of the OST pre-season staff, who usually begin arriving the third or fourth Sunday of May. The summer meeting is in mid August during the final week of the OST season.

The annual OSTA spring meeting is next Tuesday, May 25 in the Frances Shloss Greenroom on the OST lot. Social time is at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:00 p.m., and the meeting will begin around 6:30 p.m., give or take. After the meeting, there will be a tour of the Smith House, renovated during autumn 2009 by members of the OSTA, followed by the annual unloading of the semi trailer from Stephens College. Helping with the unloading is entirely optional.

The annual spring meeting is a great time to learn more about the OSTA, and I invite all interested persons to join us at the meeting. Those who are interested in becoming new members can pay membership dues at the meeting.

OSTA and OST History

The OSTA has a long and distinguished history. Interestingly, it's actually five years older than the current incarnation of its "parent" organization, the OST.

Incorporated in 1953, the Summer Theatre Association (STA) was formed to support the Sanford Summer Theatre, owned and operated by Grinnell College from 1947 to 1954. In 1953, Grinnell moved its summer theatre from Arnolds Park to an airplane hanger in Okoboji, the location of the current OST lot. After two relatively unsuccessful summers on the new lot in 1952 and 1953, Grinnell canceled its summer theatre program, and one of the goals of the STA was to find a new college to lease the space. In 1956, Grinnell rented the theatre to Carthage College, and in 1957, it sold the property to a group of local businessmen organized as Lakes Educational Projects, Inc.

Representatives of Stephen College visited Okoboji in 1957, and Stephens performed its first season of plays there in 1958. Stephens was the operator of OST for four summers, 1958-1961, until it purchased the lot from Lakes Educational Projects, Inc. in 1962, at which time Stephens became the owner of OST. The STA eventually became the OSTA.

More Information and How to Get Involved

In closing, for more information about what the OSTA has planned for the upcoming OST 53rd Season and the remainder of 2010, reprinted below is the latest correspondence sent via email to dues-paying OSTA members by current Co-Presidents Marsha and Dick Swanson...

<< Dear Friends of OST,

We invite all friends of the Okoboji Summer Theater (OST) to become members of the Okoboji Summer Theater Association (OSTA). We are a group of dedicated volunteers who love the theatre and support the goals of the program, students, and staff of the Okoboji Summer Theatre. Over the past 50 + years, the Association has supported OST by encouraging attendance, selling discount voucher booklets, assisting with unloading equipment sent from Stephens College in the spring, helping out in the costume and set shop when needed, working on grounds and upkeep, ushering for the musical, sponsoring one production each season, and providing scholarships for students. If you are interested in joining this wonderful group, please read further...

1. OSTA May dinner, meeting and truck unloading - This annual event will again be held in the OST dining area (Green Room) next to the theater on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 with 5:30 PM social time and 6:00 PM dinner.

a. Food - As in the past, our Association will be providing meals for all of the staff and students on the lot while Stephens provides the beverages. This year members will pay $10 each for meals and MUST make a reservation by Friday, May 21st in order to eat. Reservations may be made by emailing us at swanson@ncn.net or by phoning us at 712-332-7561. The meal will be prepared by OST Chef, Kerrie Kramme, with a menu to include fried chicken, salads, and those fabulous desserts we all love. If you choose not to eat, you may join us for the meeting and/or service time afterwards.

b. Meeting - There are lots of exciting items to be discussed!

c. Smith House - We look forward to taking those of you interested, on a tour of the house after our meeting so you may see the redecorating progress sponsored by OSTA with work provided by our volunteers.

d. Truck unloading - Those who are able will assist in unloading the semi full of theater equipment, props, costumes, and students' belongings.

e. Hosta plants - If any of you have hostas that you could divide and donate, or if you would be willing to purchase and donate, please bring them that night. We would like to plant some at the entrance to the Smith House and in other areas.

2. OSTA Dues for 2010 - We will accept $10 dues/person for renewal or new members at the May meeting or better yet, you could mail a check to OSTA Treasurer, Deb Ditsworth, 15430-215th Ave., Spirit Lake, IA 51360. Be sure to include your address, phone number and email address so you will receive the member's information. Our membership year is Jan. through Dec.

3. Clean up Days - Stephens College Director of Facilities, Lee Curtis, will be coming up the same week that the staff arrives. He will work with Michael Burke for two days on developing a work list and helping to set priorities and to outline projects that volunteers can support.

--Work sessions will run from June 1-4 (Tuesday-Friday).

--The morning session each day will run from 9 a.m. - Noon. The afternoon session will run from 2-5 p.m. If you are willing to work an evening session, please let us know that also.

--Stephens would like 5-10 volunteers to sign up for each shift -you can sign up for one session or as many as schedules allow during that week.

--They would like you to sign up in advance of May 25th so they can plan the tasks to be completed during each work time. Please do that by emailing us at swanson@ncn.net or by phoning us at 712-332-7561.

4. OST Website - This location gives you this summer's schedule including the Boji Bantam Children's Theater Schedule! http://www.stephens.edu/news/stephenseve...

We look forward to seeing many of you May 25th and welcome your involvement in planned activities throughout the year!

Sincerely,

Marsha and Dick Swanson

Co-Presidents >>

Thank you for your time! Please support the arts!