A newsletter from your friends at Pull-Tight Theatre
If you would like to receive this monthly newsletter via email, sign up today.
In This Issue
- A Letter From the President
- Board of Directors Nominees
- Introducing the Cast of Harvey
- Congratulations – These Shining Lives and Fools
- Ad Hoc Committee on Board Policy re: Casting Family Members
- Heartfelt Thanks to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
- New Lifetime Voting Members – Steve and Cathie Stamps
- Pull-Tight Banquet July 11 – Hall of Fame and Player of the Year Nominees
- Did You Know? – Pull-Tight Playreading Committee
- Save the Date – Artist Membership Meeting May 3
- Volunteer Spotlight – Bryan Kratoska
A Letter from the President
The Pull-Tight Board of Directors met at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for its February meeting. We reconvened there after a long absence during extensive renovations at the Church, to include the addition of a second floor to its administrative wing. Before the meeting started, Iain Macpherson gave us a tour, and everyone agreed the church did a wonderful job.
Perhaps most heartening of all was when Iain told us the Church is hoping Pull-Tight will return to our practice of routinely holding Board meetings, auditions, and rehearsals there, as we have before. The sentiment of St. Paul’s gesture is yet another example of the welcoming nature of the broader community that Pull-Tight calls home.
Speaking of the Board, we approved the slate of nominees for the Board of Directors presented by the Nominating Committee, which consisted of Pat Street, Stephanie Dillard, and Iain. Their nominees include Cindy Davis Massey, Pat Evans, Dustin Greenleaf, Carmela Hofstee, Becky Leopard, Mark Mason, and Lenny West. We very much appreciate each of these Artist Members for their willingness to be nominated and, if elected, serve in this very important capacity. Ballots for that election, along with bios for each nominee, will be mailed in early April, in advance of the Artist Membership Meeting on May 3.
One of the highlights of the Board meeting was getting final reports about These Shining Lives and our second Readers Theatre production, Fools. These two stories could not possibly be more different. One is a stunning true-life drama of uncommon courage, told in a current of emotions whose tone was enhanced by the very creative use of multi-media. The other is a comedy whose jokes make us laugh time-after-time, all while the unadorned charm of a readers theatre disarms the audience’s mood as much as Neil Simon’s humor.
And yet, as they unfolded on our stage at Pull-Tight, it was obvious that the telling of these two stories had something priceless in common. Both productions were led by the thoughtful instinct of their directors – Bre Hall and Glenn Whelan. And both were blessed by the richly diverse talents of a cast and crew that bonded like family to ensure they honored the trust of those who came to be enlightened and entertained. A winning combination for sure.
In closing, I would like to address a pledge your Board of Directors made to you in October when we voted to “withdraw the policy approved last month, which prevented directors from casting family members, pending further study.”
Never one to bury the headline, let me say right now that at its February 22 meeting the Board did, in fact, vote to rescind that policy.
But before we turn the page on this chapter, I would like to reflect on what I believe to be a very meaningful affirmation to come of all of this.
I drafted the original motion, which the Board debated at its September 21 Board Meeting and eventually approved. The reaction to this news from our theatre community, however, was swift, and its tone gave the Board pause.
As I wrote in a Special Edition of “Curtain Call” in October, “The debate that unfolded at the September 21 Board Meeting was respectful, thorough, and well intentioned. The belief then was that this new policy would serve the long-term best interests of Pull-Tight.”
Nevertheless, the Board appreciated that the need to tap the brakes was clear. More importantly, we respected the fact that listening to one another is among the chromosomes in our Theatre’s DNA that we all prize the most.
Pat Street very thoughtfully led an Ad Hoc Committee in pursuit of the further study that we tasked ourselves to undertake. She convened Board Members and fellow Artist Members in a series of meetings where discourse was intentionally uninhibited.
What stands out in Pat’s report to the Board is not so much the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation, but rather how her report captures the spirit of those meetings.
I think we can all agree that in an honest and trustworthy relationship, people don’t just bother to hear what the other person is saying. Rather, they listen. And when someone truly listens, then the sincerity invested in the relationship is a given, and the act removes oneself from their own point of view and compels them to seek an understanding of others.
So, in short, when your Board of Directors met on February 22, a motion was made and then seconded to rescind the policy in question. Trust me, rescinding a previously approved policy is not a routine matter. As we have done before, we consulted Robert’s Rules of Order to ensure we got the protocol and governance right.
And, as has been the case throughout the year, the debate that followed was not carried simply by the ten voices in the room, but rather by more than 100 voices that represent our fellow Artist Members.
To be completely transparent (a quality this Board especially values), some of those voices remained in favor of the original policy, while others called for it to be repealed. As always, the majority of votes decided the matter.
Bottom line, your Board listened to every voice, and after a very balanced debate, elected to bring this chapter to a close and look ahead.
Speaking of looking ahead, all of this reminds me of an endearing quote from Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey – “Oh, an element of conflict in any discussion is a very good thing. It shows everybody is taking part and nobody is left out. I like that.”
Don’t we all,
Cabot
  |
 |
Thank you to the members of the Family Casting Policy Ad Hoc Committee for your thoughtful work, careful consideration, and dedicated service to our organization!
Board Members: Pat Street, Chair, Jeanne Drone, Joey Echeverria
Artist Members: Laurel Aiello, Matt Grimes, Claudia Finnegan, Mark Mason
Focus Group: Leslie Berra, Helen Carter, Forrest Hutchinson, Becky Leopard, David Weatherbee
New Lifetime Voting Members!
At its February meeting, the Pull-Tight Board of Directors unanimously voted to confer the designation of Lifetime Voting Member to long-time artist members Steve and Cathie Stamps.
This honor is bestowed on select artist members as acknowledgement and appreciation of their volunteerism and contributions through the decades as determined by the Board of Directors. With this title, Steve and Cathie will enjoy lifetime voting rights at Pull-Tight Players’ annual Artist Membership Meetings.
Let’s give a big thank you to these dedicated folks for all they’ve poured into Pull-Tight over the years and for the incredible impact they’ve had on making it what it is today. Congratulations, Steve and Cathie!
Did you know that the Pull-Tight Playreading Committee reads an average of 25–30 plays and 10–12 musicals apiece every year? Their thoughtful evaluations help the Board of Directors select the shows that best fit Pull-Tight, artistically and content-wise, while keeping in mind our audiences, our pool of actors, our production capabilities, and the unique limitations of our theatre space. Their dedication is an essential part of shaping each successful season, and we thank the 2025 Committee, capably led by Lenny West, for the extraordinary time and care they invested!
Chair: Lenny West
Members: Paige Alkire, Jennifer Bennett, Heather Bottoms, Chelsea Glass, Forrest Hutchinson, Philip Johnson, Jon Kieffner, Bryan Kratoska, Myna Sowell, Glenn Whelan
Volunteer Spotlight – Bryan Kratoska
What first inspired you to get involved with Pull-Tight, and how long have you been with us?
I’ve been with Pull-Tight for about three years. I joined while recovering from a traumatic accident that required speech therapy. My little brother, Eli, and others encouraged me to get back out there just to be around people. Guys and Dolls (a personal favorite) was running that season, and it became my way to find a sense of normalcy and relearn how to speak in a structured setting. The community was incredibly helpful in getting me there.
Can you share a favorite memory or moment from your time here?
Oddly enough, it might be crawling under the stage during Guys and Dolls to run lighting wires! Outside of that, there are some specific moments of connection I’ve shared with friends on stage that remain my absolute favorites.
What roles or tasks do you enjoy most when volunteering, and why?
I enjoy the human connection—getting to know people and hearing their stories. Theater gives us a chance to see people in vulnerable places; I love working with others through that process. Whether acting or crew, facilitating that connection is what I enjoy most.
What has volunteering at Pull-Tight Theatre taught you or brought into your life?
First and foremost, it brought me my lovely wife, Meredith! We met during Guys and Dolls and have been together ever since. Beyond that, it gave me a community when I was struggling to find one. I am very grateful for the family I’ve found here.
If you could play any role on stage or in a production crew, what would it be—and why?
I actually had the chance to play the role at the top of my list at Pull-Tight: Georg Nowack in She Loves Me! Currently, I am thrilled to be directing Once Upon A Mattress. I’ve fallen in love with directing in the past—helping actors bring characters to life and empowering them to speak their minds is one of my favorite things. While I’ll always jump back on stage for the right show, “Director” is the hat I’m most excited to wear right now and in the future.
