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After a quiet year for Crest Area Theatre, the board of directors convened Sunday, Jan. 5, at Hot Air Brewing for their annual meeting. The meeting consisted of a potluck and review of their state of operations, alongside creating predictions for 2025.
Treasurer Jerry Huffman gave the treasurer’s report, saying CAT is, once again, financially sound. However, due to added costs of production, including a rising cost of liability insurance for using SWCC’s performing arts center, the board presented early ideas for how the community group can raise funds.
No action was made, but ideas included raising ticket prices from $10 to $15 and fundraisers to help keep the program stable.
A new slate of officers were elected for 2025. Bill Mullin and Jerry Huffman will remain as president and treasurer, respectively. Linda Huffman will move to the secretary position, while Justin Kendrick was elected to fill the vice president position. Julia Weisshaar-Mullin will remain as an at-large member, alongside Ahdri Evans, Ellie Soosloff, Pam Hoffman and Renea Fowler.
Due to absences at the annual meeting, reviews of 2024 and discussions for upcoming productions were postponed into February. CAT held two productions in 2024, a summer show “Remembering Buxton” produced in collaboration with Creston Arts and Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Co., and a Christmas show “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”
As an activity to encourage goals for the new year, the board and members attending the meeting participated an annual tradition of predictions. Every year, predictions for what will happen in the new year are made to help encourage attention to the program.