Student OrgsRock-Bottom Musicals

ARTICLE I- Name

The name of this organization shall be Rock-Bottom Musicals. Rock-Bottom Musicals is a student organization at Gustavus Adolphus College. This organization’s purpose shall be to put on musicals and other productions in the absence of or in supplement to the productions put on by Gustavus Theatre and Dance. Even in the absence of support or resources, the show must go on.

ARTICLE II- Objectives

The objectives of this organization shall be:

1. To provide opportunity to participate in musical productions considering that the Gustavus Theatre and Dance department does not put them on every year.

2. To put on student run, collaborative, director-less productions based on constructive criticism and team skills.

3. To provide educational and leadership opportunities in musical theatre.

4. To encourage participation in theatre among those who might not typically be involved via a low commitment and easygoing setting which contrasts the rigorous rehearsal schedule of the Gustavus Theatre and Dance department.

ARTICLE III- Timeline

The season for Rock-Bottom Musicals shall be carried out as follows:

1. The first meeting shall take place within the first two weeks of classes in September of the present season.

2. Beginning in September, the Officers shall be elected for the current season. The election date shall be set by all voters present at the first meeting. The voting date must occur before October 1.

3. Campaigning for office may not begin until September 15 of the current season.

4. The application for the license for the selected show must be submitted by November 1 of the current season.

5. According to MTI licensure rules, a signed contract and deposit of $400 must be sent in to MTI within 6 weeks of licensure application. However, the organization shall submit the license deposit by November 15.

6. Application for funds from Student Senate as well as any needed fundraising for the license and license deposit shall take place between October 3- November 1 of the current season.

7. Any remaining funds needed for licensure and production shall be raised between November 2-December 15.

8. Auditions shall be held before November 30, or after the deposit for the license has been submitted. The audition date shall be determined by voting members at a meeting.

9. Rehearsals shall begin after January 1 of the current season.

ARTICLE IV- Membership

1. Members and officers must be enrolled students at Gustavus Adolphus College.

2. Non-students may act as associate members, but may not vote in officer elections.

3. First Years may not hold office.

4. Any new members must indicate their intention to participate in the organization by January 1. No newcomers will be accepted after this date in the interest of efficiency in production and coordination of schedules. However, if there is a position to be filled, there may be an exception to fill those spots.

5. Suspension

   1. In cases of malfeasance, members may be suspended from membership.

   2. Suspended members are still required to attend rehearsals and meetings, but may not vote on issues or in elections.

   3. Suspensions extending beyond 2 weeks are terms for expulsion from organization participation without vote or hearing.

ARTICLE V- Donations 

1. No individual member shall make a donation exceeding $50 towards licensure or production.

2. No individual member may loan towards licensure or production exceeding $50.

3. According to MTI licensure rules, a signed contract and deposit of $400 must be sent in to MTI within 6 weeks of licensure application.

4. Any needed fundraising for the license deposit shall take place between October 3- November 1 of the current season.

5. All remaining funds needed for licensure and production shall be raised between November 2-December 15.

ARTICLE VI- Auditions

1. Auditions shall be held before November 30, or after the deposit for the license has been submitted. The audition date shall be determined by voting members at a meeting.

2. Auditions shall be open to all Gustavus Students and current organization members.

3. Members from previous years who are not cast in a lead role shall be cast in the ensemble if desired, and the remaining ensemble slots shall be filled by participants in auditions.

4. Cast size shall be dependent on performance space, never exceeding 30 cast members for the sake of efficiency and rehearsal scheduling.

5. Auditions shall be heard by the Executive team and the Performance Advisor.

6. Auditions shall be recorded and presented without knowledge of identity to all standing officers, who shall formulate the final cast list.

7. Audition participants shall prepare approximately one minute of a song of their choice to audition for the role.

8. If callbacks are necessary, the called back roles should be asked to sing a piece for the role in which they are called back.

9. Receiving a callback does not guarantee casting into the show.

10. All students who audition should be contacted and asked about participation in another form within the organization if not cast in a role or ensemble.

11. Cast members shall confirm their involvement and accept their role by January 1.

ARTICLE VII- Officers

1. The organization shall be run under a structure of officers split into three teams.

   1. Executive Team:

      1. Co-Presidents (2 members)

      2. Treasurer

   2. Backstage Team:

      1. Stage Manager

      2. Vocal Director

      3. Assistant Vocal Director

      4. Pit Director

      5. Choreographer

      6. Assistant Choreographer

   3. Publicity Team:

      1. Front of House Manager

      2. Publicity Coordinator

      3. Events coordinator

2. Officer Positions

   1. Officer positions include the following responsibilities:

      1. Co-Presidents:

         1. Oversee processes of production

         2. Coordinate teams and ensure both effectiveness and efficiency

         3. Manage proceedings of meetings and rehearsals

         4. Co-Presidents must hold weekly meetings consisting of at least 30 minutes to discuss necessary topics relating to the organization.

            1. This time shall be separate from scheduled rehearsals.

      2. Treasurer:

         1. Manage finances and funds

         2. Approve allocation of funds to specific purposes

         3. Head fundraising initiatives

      3. Stage Manager:

         1. Lead Backstage Team

         2. Ensure effectiveness and efficiency of Backstage Team

         3. Be present at technical rehearsals and rehearsals leading up to them

      4. Vocal Director:

         1. Lead vocal rehearsals

         2. Lead sectionals

         3. Ensure effective and efficient learning of vocal parts

         4. Coach musical nuances in music

         5. Assign memorization dates

      5. Assistant Vocal Director:

         1. Assist in vocal rehearsals

         2. Lead sectionals

      6. Pit Director:

         1. Hold auditions for pit members

         2. Lead pit rehearsals

         3. Conduct pit

      7. Choreographer:

         1. Lead dance rehearsals

         2. Plan flexible choreography

         3. Teach choreography to cast and individuals when needed

         4. Provide a choreographer’s eye on blocking

      8. Assistant Choreographer:

         1. Assist in dance rehearsals

         2. Provide a choreographer’s eye on blocking

      9. Front of House Manager:         

         1. Lead Publicity Team

         2. Manage ticket distribution

         3. Ensure all seats are filled on night of performance

         4. Ensure that no one without a ticket enters the performance space

      10. Publicity Coordinator:

          1. Advertise auditions

          2. Advertise performances

          3. Advertise fundraising events (communicate with events coordinator)

          4. Post on Rock-Bottom Social Media accounts (instagram, facebook)

      11. Events coordinator:

          1. Lead all organized event planning

          2. Reserve event spaces

          3. Deal with event logistics

          4. Communicate with Publicity Coordinator to advertise events

3. Electing Officers

   1. Voters consist of all organization members, excluding the executive officers.

   2. Executive officers shall only vote in the case of a tie. In this scenario, executive officers shall each anonymously cast their own vote.

   3. All voting procedures shall be anonymous.

   4. Members may only vote if present on the day of elections.

   5. Office elections must take place before October 2 of the current season.

   6. Executive officers, once in office, may choose to hold their position until graduation.

   7. Upon the school year of graduation, the executive officers will ask voters to elect the incoming executive officers for the next season, date determined by voters present at first meeting. These newly elected future officers will act as assistants to the current officers through the end of the retiring officers’ senior year.

   8. At the beginning of the next season, the executive trainees will fill the position on their own, in the absence of the prior executives.

   9. All non Executive officers shall be elected at the beginning of each season, date determined by voters present at first meeting.

4. Campaigning

   1. Potential officers may announce their intention to campaign for an office position beginning on September 15.

   2. Campaigning may only consist of conversation with other members rather than merchandise or material propaganda, including posters.

5. Recall of Officers

   1. Officers are subject to recall for malfeasance in office. Malfeasance shall be defined as:

      1. An inability to perform the requirements of office

      2. Willfully disobeying Gustavus Adolphus Rules and Regulations governing student organizations

      3. Breaching the Student Code of Conduct

   2. Recall procedures will be initiated at the request of five active members.

   3. A hearing will be conducted outside scheduled rehearsals for the presentation of evidence from all concerned parties

      1. Those requesting a recall of officer(s) shall be given 10 minutes to present their case

      2. Those officers being recalled will have five (5) minutes to question their accusers

      3. Those officers being recalled will have 10 minutes to rebut the charges presented against them

      4. The club will then have five (5) minutes to question those being recalled

   4. A two-thirds majority of those active members voting in a recall at the end of the hearing is necessary to remove any office.

   5. Recalled officers may still participate in the organization as a voting member, but may not hold office until the next season.

ARTICLE VIII – Amendments

1. This constitution may be amended by a 2/3-majority vote of those present at time of vote.

2. Voting on amendments must be conducted after a minimum notice of 2 weeks.

3. Articles VIII and IX may not be amended.

ARTICLE IX – Not-for-profit Statement

This is a not-for-profit organization.

ARTICLE X- Nondiscrimination Statement

Under no circumstances may any student within this organization be denied membership or office because of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance or other categories protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.