CET Booster Club General Meeting

Minutes, September 18, 2025, Approved

Present: In attendance were twelve adults plus four members of the Booster Board (Sascha Matish, Margie Morris, Barb Chaffer Authier, and Alisse Portnoy), CET’s director (Emily Wilson Tobin), and two students (including student board co-president Paige Plavnick).

The meeting was called to order by Emily Wilson-Tobin at 6:02 pm.

  1. Emily Wilson-Tobin welcomed everyone, introduced herself and the board, and talked about the upcoming show and what it means to be in CET. 

    1. Emily summarized Fahrenheit 451, talked about the Ray Bradbury novel and Bradbury’s adaptation into the play, noted some production ideas including video and projection ideas as well as intentions to be playful and creative with the chorus roles (noting the chorus is large because many people auditioned and CET puts everyone into the cast). 

    2. Emily talked a bit about what it means to participate in CET, with some support from Paige Plavnick, one of the student board co-presidents. 

      1. Emily is pretty flexible as director, and wants students to live their whole lives as they take CET seriously and produce a great show. Emily and Paige noted that students can be in CET and do other things too. 

      2. Emily prizes communication if there will be absences (with crew leaders or Emily), and encourages students to be the primary communicators/advocates for themselves, though she understands that sometimes there might be reasons for parents/guardians to reach out directly to Emily. 

      3. Attendance during Tech Week is expected every day. It’s intense and busy, and CET feeds the kids during Tech Week. 

    3. Emily reinforced that the CET Student Board is great. They support students getting to know one another, bonding, and other CET-related things. Student board members are great contacts for students who have questions, and also if students would prefer to reach out to other students about production questions, financial support for outings such as Pinball Pete’s or NYPD during Tech/Performance Week, and the like. 

  2. Sascha (CET board president) spoke about the Boost Club Board, letting folks know it’s small and welcoming; volunteering is a great way for parents/guardians/caring adults to see what the kids are doing. 

    1. There are a lot of opportunities for involvement. The biggest need for support is during Tech Week, including providing and serving meals. Volunteers also can work the concession stand, be a seamstress, run errands, and the like. Emails requesting volunteers will be sent out, and information also is on CET’s website.

    2. CET’s website is highly recommended for general information and photos as well. The password is available by emailing Emily or a member of the board. 

    3. Bus passes for public buses are available for students participating in CET over weekends (the school bus pass only works during the week, not on weekends). If a student wants a bus pass for the weekend, check in with Emily. 

    4. Show t-shirts and CET apparel will be available. 

  3. Barb (CET board treasurer) and Margie (CET producer) talked about dues, donations, and ad sales. 

    1. Dues: Each student is requested to pay dues of $75 for one show, $140 for the whole year. It’s fine to pay for the first show now and a reduced amount for the second show. Dues are not required for participation, if anyone is unable to pay dues or pay the full amount. 

    2. Making Payments on CET’s website: 

      1. Please enter a payment amount, even if it’s 0, so we don’t reach out for “unpaid” dues. 

      2. If you are able to pay part of the dues, or want to make a donation, please do that through the donation tab. 

    3. Ad sales: CET does not require buying or selling program ads. You’re welcome to buy or sell ads, but it is not required. Often parents/guardians of seniors will take out an ad in the program for the second show (the musical). If the cost gets in the way, please reach out to Emily as CET is happy to welcome ads for seniors even when payment isn’t possible. 

  4. Schoology is working very well for students. It’s great for parents/guardians to use, but it’s not automatically copying parents/guardians on emails. Emily is working on that piece with AAPS IT, and will send emails to parents/guardians in the meantime. Parents can join as members or observers, as per the attached handout. 

  5. Tickets: The theater is small and wonderful, and requires creativity. Shows will sell out. Families will be emailed information to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the public. Buy as soon as pre-sales open up, but also please be judicious and don’t buy all the tickets so that everyone has access to them. 

  6. Question & Answer responses

    1. The show is about 90 minutes; with an act break, it will be under two hours. 

    2. If students aren’t listed on the cast call, they don’t need to come to that rehearsal. 

    3. Tech Week: Emily lets Community teachers know in advance, but many people don’t understand the intensity of that week. Teachers don’t lighten the load during tech week, but they usually will work with students who approach them and advocate for themselves ahead of time. 

    4. Folks can do chorus and crew. It’s a lot, and can be a lot for some students; others love it. 

  7. People were invited to stay for the Booster Club Board Meeting immediately following the General Meeting. 


The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:40 pm. 


Respectfully submitted,

Alisse Portnoy, Secretary