Where next for the Supporters Trust? Its achievements, challenges and future opportunities

Original impetus for the Trust 1. Social activity - building on the group feeling of being part of the 2012 2. New developments or study of Mystery Plays: a. Desire to support new productions whoever was staging them b. Educational or similar activities related to the plays. 3. Desire to ensure the continuation of large-scale productions into the future.

Our achievements Fund raised for the Plays and sponsored the Minster wrap party Produced our own Waggon Play courtesy of the Festival Trust Established regular communications via newsletters, leaflets and the web Put on members’ social events Provided information and advice to enquirers, the Minster team Regular liaison with artistic groups staging the Plays Liaised with the University of York re lectures/courses

Our challenges Membership numbers: from 129 in 2013 to 85, of whom about 60% are original members Dwindling attendance at events Lack of interest in taking on Committee roles In 2013, Committee of 12 – now 7 of whom 4 are from original Committee Succession planning for the Committee

Do we still need YMPST? Community drama fulfils the need for active engagement and seems to have a secure future: from 2012 to Suffragettes and beyond Mystery Plays may continue to happen: Festival Trust Waggon Cycle four-yearly - 2018 2012, Minster 2016, possibly 2020 community drama – thereafter? How does the Trust add value to this?

Issues affecting future productions: Strengths Expertise and commitment: stakeholders and community Festival Trust for the Waggon Plays Cultural and financial benefits: local and tourism Potential for youth involvement Potential for joint working across city organisations National and international awareness of the York Plays

Issues affecting future productions: Challenges Sustainable levels of finance – short and long term No central organisation commissioning the staged Plays Ageing audiences Danger of over exposure: how many productions are too many? Venue for the staged play Costs: e.g. Minster 2016 City Council: no significant evidence of commitment

Where does YMPST fit into this? Stakeholder view: The Trust hosted a meeting in October 16 to look at the future of the Plays and the role of the Trust. Who was at this meeting? The Theatre Royal, Riding Lights, the Festival Trust, the Minster, Make it York, Media Arts, NCEM Key point: the Plays belong to the people of York – not one organisation

Stakeholder meeting: key points Individual artistic groups should be responsible for the artistic direction and financial liability There is opportunity for joint working between organisations A planning cycle is required: 4/8/12 yearly framework New funding models for production are needed Youth engagement needs to be one of the priorities YMPST could be the commissioner and co-ordinator of the planning cycle – representing the community of York.

The Trust as commissioner – what does this mean? Member endorsement of the change of the Trust’s role A proactive role in seeking out organisations prepared to put on the Plays Clear definitions regarding liability and financial commitments Active member involvement: such a role goes beyond the capacity of the current Committee

If the Trust took on this role, we would need: An increase in active membership; A development plan to build the skills over the longer term; An active fundraising strategy; Promotion: to source expertise, develop and maintain contemporary website and communications; Subgroups to take on responsibilities, working to the central Committee; Mentorship: from city stakeholders.

A look at the future If the Trust took on this role – we could develop a planning cycle for productions by (for example): Joint working with Festival Trust and York theatres Establishing a timetable for productions by * Linking to Medieval Festival: every 4 years pageant production * A large-scale community theatre production every 8 years. * A Minster production in year 16 * Scoping for new artistic producers beyond York.

Open to the floor What do people think of this proposal? Is this a role we should take on? What would we need to do to move from where we are to where we would need to be? If we do not take up this challenge, what is the future role of YMPST?