The first ever reunion of past Pull-Tight Board Presidents was held at the theatre Nov. 9. This special event was hosted by current President Cabot Pyle and Pull-Tight’s Board of Directors. It was a heartwarming evening of food, fellowship, and remembrance. The overall atmosphere was one of true appreciation for our history and the contributions each of these folks have made to it.
Since no comprehensive list of past Presidents had previously been compiled, we culled through past Board records and our scrapbooks. We then found all contact info we could, and most living past Presidents were able to be reached and did get back to us. Some were unable to attend, but sent in comments to be read at the meeting.
Part of the fun was sharing the challenges over the years, all the way back to performing in various spaces, with tin cans enclosing light bulbs and trails of extension cords serving as the lighting equipment, outdoor shows where it rained, the trials of judging whether a space was usable (“no, but let’s try it!”), and the improvements that have occurred over the years to our current space (“no more birds flying through the open brickwork”).
We reflected that Pull-Tight has always been the hardest ticket to buy in town, but not always for the current reason of instant sell-outs. It used to be because we had a physical box office in the lobby to buy tickets, which was only open a couple of hours per evening the two weeks before show opening, with a member’s personal phone number to call for information.
Many of the positive changes over the years were noted. Past Presidents mentioned loving to see the new and different shows we are putting on the stage, noting that production values have come a long way and tech and set change transitions are much smoother. An obvious change is our greatly improved financial condition.
Other challenges over the years were discussed, including cast members showing up for a performance inebriated (the reason we have a no-alcohol policy), the COVID seasons, the year our Banquet venue got canceled, and the year we almost bought a new space, ultimately nixed by potential lenders.
The theme of families being involved together was a strong one, including couples who met at the theatre. The history and value of the Youth Guild was highlighted, with stress on how it created confidence in our youth. It was emphasized that many school and theatre programs in town give kids an opportunity to act onstage, but not to learn the technical or administrative aspects of running a theatre; they are getting some of the “theatre” part, but not the “community” part. Reassurances were given that our current YAG is on hiatus, but will hopefully come back in some form in the future.
Discussion also centered on the importance of involving both new and older folks at Pull-Tight. Newer folks expressed a concern that we may often stick with “how we have done things in the past” when it is time for change. Older members expressed the importance of knowing our past and what has made us successful, as well as requesting that production teams reach out to them, as they have valuable experience and often are retired and past raising children, so have the time to contribute. It was also expressed that newer, younger folks need to make sure they are not just performing onstage, but also actively contributing to the life of Pull-Tight in other ways.
Concerns for the future included being good stewards of Pull-Tight’s finances and cultivating a broader volunteer base.
Individual comments that came up included the following:
Our season tickets are still too cheap!
Pull-Tight may now find itself in a position to help other struggling nonprofits. We reach almost 100 people a night, which could make us a good platform to bring attention to other groups in need.
Could we approach the County Archives about having a permanent exhibit/display of our history? This could include our historic space and photos of how costumes and sets have evolved over the years.
Should we look at making the Lifetime Board Member a “Tenured” Board member instead, being voted in for a set number of years, with possible renewals? This would require a Bylaws change, but might make the position less daunting for anyone considering it.
The overall feeling most of us came away with from the evening was one of warmth, affection, and a strong desire to maintain everything that makes Pull-Tight special.
