2022 SUDS AGM: As it happened
The theatre kids are having an election
On an overcast Tuesday afternoon in the leaky bowels of the Cellar Theatre (roof intact), the stage is set for the most dramatic event of the year. No, we’re not talking one of twelve slots in which USyd’s most promising young thespians whet their dramatic beaks on the grindstone of amateur theatre, we’re talking C&S politics.
You will find no actors on this stage, only those looking to grasp the reigns of Australia’s oldest continually running theatre company. As the premier campus culture laboratory, PULP is here backstage to report on all the line-drops, prop errors, and wardrobe malfunctions that make any SUDS production tick.
5:17pm: As we enter the Cellar, we’re immediately enamoured by the set of the soon-to-open The Popular Mechanicals. Shoutouts to the tree and drumkit! We want to play it!
5:24pm: Outgoing President Kimmi Tonkin enters stage left to inform a buzzing crowd that the AGM will be commencing in FIVE minutes!
5:34pm: Outgoing Vice President Oliver Durbidge does a silly little dance centre stage. What could this mean!! He waves at us in the nosebleeds and mouths “I love this”. Thx Ollie xx
5:36pm: We’re off! Kimmi opens the meeting, thanking the thirty-odd attendees for coming along on a rainy Tuesday evening. The minutes of last Wednesday’s executive meeting are accepted.
5:38pm: In their respective reports, Treasurer Tilda Wilkinson-Finch and Secretary Lily McGuinness hit us with some quick facts!
12 slots, one major production.
Online booking system trialled and implemented.
579 cellar bookings made
21,734 words of minutes
$4000 made
Two shows sold out online: Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Titus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus was the most profitable show, making $2062.
5:40pm: Kimmi opens her Presidential report with a hearty congratulations to her 11 fellow executive members. Everyone claps! She congratulates the team behind Accidental Death of An Anarchist, a delayed slot from 2021 which performed a sold out run at the beginning of this year. We’re given statistics for slots throughout the year; an assortment of successful shows, original works, adaptations and recontextualisations of classics. She mentions a USU-mandated Cellar shutdown, which saw new lighting installed. Five shows didn’t require rights, 11 shows were performed, props to the new online booking system for the cellar, a successful SUDS census, and organisational heavy lifting in the treasury department! Special mention to the Cultural Festival, which saw the society bring in new external sponsors and guests for events that were open to the general public. Further shoutouts to Cellar Officers Sam and Adele, and Publicity Officers Jim and Daisy for their herculean efforts!
Kimmi ends her speech reflecting on her own experiences in SUDS: “This society has never seemed so unpredictable and yet so successful. I am so proud I was able to bring my vision into reality, a reality that wouldn’t exist without an incredibly strong executive team.” Rapturous applause!
5:54pm: Prospective returning officer Isla Mowbray whispers “Thank god” as she hears the sound of hands raising in her favour during the RO vote-of-confidence.
5:55pm: Former Vice President Isla Mowbray and Former President Alice Stafford are voted in as Returning Officers! Rejoice!
5:58pm: President’s up first! Daisy Semmler is the sole nominee. Jim Bradshaw gives a thumbs-up from the audience: The IG boomerangs are ready! In her capacity as outgoing Publicity Officer, Daisy informs all present that pitches will be recorded for socials. Daisy notes her experience in SUDS across prod and acting roles, as well as being President of Arts Revue this year. Daisy is running a joint Pres-VP ‘ticket’ (sorry) with current Archivist Danny Yazdani. Fun!
“What we learned from this year is what works and what doesn’t.” If elected, Daisy wants to bring changes to workload to the exec, giving website responsibilities to the Archivist to free up time for Publicity Officers. She also proposes an EGM to reduce the number of slots from 12 to 10, noting multiple uncontested slots and a non-existent(?) slot 9. She says 10 slots a year would give each slot at least eight weeks from pitch to performance. An overarching goal is to improve membership retention!
Daisy also mentions strengthening connections with external organisations to develop more original works for the society, and generate works that are more personal and collaborative. We end on a quote from Dylan Thomas, the exec will not “go gentle into that good night!” These are big reforms!
6:05pm: Our own Marlow Hurst (2021 Archivist) asks if there is a benefit to slots being contested. Daisy answers that the value of less slots is reducing the chance of burnout and people repeating prod roles between slots. Marlow replies: “Love that.” In response to a question about the logistics of the ten slot model, Daisy notes ‘a document’ to structure out the new arrangement. All ten slots would have a minimum eight-week rehearsal period and a two-week run. Daisy says that competition shouldn’t discourage people from nominating, it should motivate them; a democratic process becomes arbitrary. “Slots need to be contested, it makes it interesting!” approving “mmmmm's” from the crowd.
6:09pm: Jim runs across the stage, phone in hand, and everyone has a fun little giggle. Daisy speaks to relieving the Publicity team of their workload. “Facebook is a nightmare to look at, when you look at all of the events, it’s terrifying!”
6:13pm: RO’s Alice Stafford and Isla Mowbray conduct a vote-of-confidence and Daisy Semmler wins the SUDS presidency! In doing so, Daisy breaks the four-year reign of terror that former Cellar Officers have had over the position. The last non-Cellar Officer President was 2018’s Caitlin Williams — a humble publicity officer like Daisy herself.
6:15pm: Only one nomination for the role of Vice-President, current archivist Danial Yazdani. Danial proposes a number of administrative reforms, with plans to publicise the internal SUDS calendar on the website, introduce the use of a Google Calendar, and upload GM meeting minutes to the website (for those who cannot attend). Danial also proposes a complete redesign of the grievance officer role. To be renamed the wellbeing officer, the role would have mandatory attendance requirements for slot events and the Executive team of 2023 will host a planning day to flesh out the nature of the new role. Danny would also like to continue the cultural festival hosted this year, but with a few tweaks. Namely, to see it spread out over a longer period and positioned in a more convenient part of the semester.
6:22pm: After a vote-of-confidence, Danial Yazdani is announced as Vice President! A tender hug between Danny and Co-RO Isla (2021 VP). “It’s just so nice to be in person!” she says. It’s worth noting that this is the first instance of an Archivist Vice-President in living record (since 2003 — i.e. the years Marlow has on his spreadsheet)! It’s also worth noting that, like Daisy, Danial puts an end to a four year streak with his successful election — with the last four SUDS Vice Presidents being former SUDS Social Secretaries.
6:22pm: With President and Vice President voted in uncontested, let’s hope that the GMs of 2023 can be different!
6:24pm: Nominations for Treasurer are opened to no avail! No one nominates for the position in an oblique homage to the AGM of 2021 and the vote is delayed to an EGM. Many might yearn for the days when Marlow Hurst (2021 Archivist) unsuccessfully contested the position of Treasurer twice! Once in 2019 and once in 2020. How the mighty have fallen…
6:47pm: We return from our constitutionally mandated roughly 15 minute-ish break. There were tasty snackies in the foyer including, but not limited to: snickers, milky ways, mars bars, skittles, chicken crimpies, cheezels, ccs, grapes, and cinnamon donuts. The coffers are well-lined — yum yum yum! We hope the complementary refreshments have coaxed some prospective Treasurers from within the crowd.
6:50pm: Scattered cries of “Shame!” as the ROs prompt all attendees who aren’t SUDS members to raise their hands. We need to check that we still have quota!
6:52pm: Noms for Secretary open. Aqsa Suryana nominates Georgie Eggleton, who is sadly absent — but is speaking to their nomination via video! A sheet has been hung centre stage and a silence settles over the rabble as we wait for the video to begin.
6:54pm: If SUDS had an AV Officer, it would be Georgie! The video takes us through assorted skills such as her words-per-minute typing count (73), time-management and organisational skills (“Bullet journals, so many fucking bullet journals”), involvement with about ten shows over two years.
“As every male-manipulator says: I’m a great listener.”
Georgie wants to try keep up mentee retention and incentivise new members to attend GMs. She compliments Lily’s work on maintaining the online booking system, and suggests some improvements too! At 4 minutes 43 seconds, this video (while entertaining) might be unconstitutional — but it sure is fun! Georgie is the sole nominee for Secretary.
7:02pm: Georgie’s in! Outgoing Publicity Officers Jim and Daisy scramble; god they’re good!
7:04pm: The election of 2 Publicity Officers is up next. Josie, Claire, Mariika, and Tom nominate. 4 nominations — contested election alert! Sophie Newby tries to second a nomination and is reminded she is in fact not technically a member of SUDS and cannot second; scream!
Josie has produced two shows and done photography as well as assorted theatre involvement outside of SUDS including work with KXT. She has assorted media experience in a working and studying capacity (MECO student alert)! Josie has worked with Claire in a video editing capacity.
Claire (PULP bestie alert) first got involved with SUDS through radio plays, has acted in two shows, and done photography and graphic design across several shows including the upcoming major Everynight. She says she has the capacity to design and publish content, and time management skills galore!
Mariika has been a part of five slots and is showrunning a Summer slot. She has been photographer for two productions and has interned for a not for profit in social media management and editing. She built the Popular Mechanicals tree!
Tom also helped build the Popular Mechanicals set, and cannot wait for more SUDS opportunities to come! He flexes his 10 hours and 13 minutes of average daily screen time: “I’m hip and down with the kids, I’m always on my phone.” He wants to make callouts more accessible by placing them on the website.
7:16pm: All the nominees take the stage for question time. After several questions on time management and ability to work with slots, outgoing VP Ollie asks the age old question: If unsuccessful in running for Publicity Officer, will the nominees run for anything else. Everyone wants Publicity and nothing else! Marlow the inquisitive asks each nominee what their favourite social media platform is.
Josie and Claire: Instagram
Mariika and Tom: TikTok
2 - 2 factional split alert!
7:24pm: Alice and Isla explain the process of preferential voting, which we now all have to do. In a Federal Election year, we’re thankfully all well-equipped with this knowledge (you’d hope)!
7:30pm: While Alice and Isla disappear to count the votes, we move on to nominations for 2 Cellar Officers. Bella and Amelia nominate — uncontested! If, recently broken, historical trends are to be believed, either of tonight’s nominees could go on to be SUDS President in 2024!
Bella takes the stage in a Titus hoodie. She loves SUDS, she loves prod roles, and she’s REALLY good at using power tools (direct quote). Set design experience galore, knowledge and experience of the WHS requirements of the Cellar. “As much as we all love The Cellar Theatre, she can always be improved!”
Amelia takes the stage. She shows off a poster made for the occasion: “Please let me be Cellar Officer next year” it reads. She’ll have been involved in seven shows by the end of the year — so many! She wants to liaise more with the USU to improve the accessibility of the Cellar, including campaigning for an accessible toilet! “Cellar cleanup, also frothing!”
The two nominations for Cellar Officer tonight firmly hale from Slot 7: The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus. With Amelia being its Assistant Director and Bella being its Costume and Set Coordinator. Their (prospective) tenure as Cellar Officers will surely be anything but lamentable!
7:36pm: The ROs have returned. Publicity Officers time! Josie and Mariika are elected. Commiserations to Claire and Tom!
Cellar Officer question time! Current Co-Cellar Officer Adele Beaumont asks if Bella and Amelia have experience working together; it’s an important skill! Bella answers that the two have seen each other almost every day for the last 3 or 4 months. Other Co-Cellar Officer Sam Hill-Wade asks if the two will maintain bump the designated bump-in and bump-out schedules. They answer… yes!
7:44pm: As question time ends and the RO's take the stage, former President and Cellar Officer Alice Stafford is confronted by a feeling of overwhelming grief! To Alice, these nominees are her “great grandchildren.”
7:47pm: After singing all the voting prompts (with angelic voices no less), ROs Alice and Isla announce that Bella and Amelia are victorious! They have the confidence of the Cellar!
7:48pm: Nominations are called for two Social Secretaries. Mali Lung and Tom Findlay are the only nominees!
Tom meekly returns to the stage (following his unsuccessful bid for Publicity Officer) and expresses his undying love for SUDS as a hive of social splendour. Keeping it short and sweet, Tom identifies himself as a social guy who would love to be Social Secretary!
Mali takes the stage to rapturous applause. She notes the value of SUDS as a creative community and a space to meet likeminded people, but thinks more can be done to retain first-year members. Proposing more first-year focused events beyond the usual Slot 3, a first year film for the SUDS Film Festival, and some targeted reforms to the Coffee Catch-up System — advice on how to audition, how SUDS works, and how to navigate slots. With a final flourish, Mali floats the idea of more lighting and sound workshops (with lighting and sound designers/operators in short supply).
A few rapier-sharp questions are posed to the nominating pair. An interesting insight to spring from these inquiries is that neither nominee has attended a SUDS Rough Cuts (R.I.P Rough Cuts, the machine is well and truly dead). Firing off a final salvo, former Vice President and Social Secretary Isla Mowbray asks for their blue sky ideas: Tom suggests theatresports and Mali suggests a cruise ship!
8:03pm: Continuing their musical electoral tradition, the ROs walk us through voting with a jazzy series of prompts. After a smooth democratic process, Mali and Tom are announced to be victorious!
8:06pm: Nominations are called for Archivist. Aqsa Suryana and Stuart Rich throw their hats into the ring.
Aqsa wants to maintain a number of existing programs while starting a few new initiatives of her own. Continuing the work of Danial Yazdani, Aqsa wants to carry on with the digitisation of the archives and keep the SUDS census up-and-running. In a new spin on an old favourite, Aqsa wants to create a SUDS archival hard-drive containing show recordings, programs, and scripts — forgoing the space-poor Google Drive. “I’m pitching for archivist cause I want everything in the cellar immortalised, it’s worthy of that.” Aqsa’s favourite period of history is Ancient Greece.
Stuart works part time as a web developer and is doing English honours next year — suggesting that he’s ready to manage the SUDS website and has a passion for research. Stuart proposes online exhibitions and a focus on preserving not just SUDS’ productions, but its people. Stuart’s favourite period of history is the Assyrian Period.
8:23pm: After a quick (non-musical) vote, the ROs announce Stuart as the winner!
8:25pm: Nominations are called for Festivals Officer. Luna Ng is the sole nominee!
Luna wants to continue the Winter Festival, collaborate with external partners (like SignSoc), and continue to make SUDS a safe and inclusive space for POC. She gallops to a close after Outgoing President Kimmi Tonkin indicates that the pitch has 1 minute remaining.
8:32pm: Following the fastest vote of the night, the ROs announce Luna as Festivals Officer!
8:33pm: In her final plea for a SUDS Treasurer, Outgoing President Kimmi Tonkin opens up nominations once more. Paul, who has worked as a Production Assistant on Titus Andronicus and Alice in Bed, is the sole nominee!
Paul wants to support SUDS in an administrative capacity and wants to help work with the new team on their vision.
Paul is asked if he is power hungry. He says no, but if he WAS he wouldn't be running for Treasurer and instead something like VP. Entertained ‘Oooooos’ from the audience and a few eyes on Danny — all in good fun!!!
Paul’s in! SUDS financies rejoice!
8:40pm: Kimmi takes the stage for a final time. “We did pretty well!”
8:41pm: Time for plugs:
Ollie shouts out the upcoming SUDS Major Everynight (November 3-12).
Danny shouts out next year’s slot 1: The Glass Menagerie. The team is wanting applicants for prod and audition roles from people of colour and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Kimmi insists we note that The Popular Mechanicals, opening tomorrow night, is the PENULTIMATE PERFORMANCE of the year. We gracefully agree. How exciting!
Daisy stands up to shoutout the power within gender dynamics Summer Season series of writing workshops, expressions of interest are open now! Performances in a sort of rudimentary open eyes setting in late-January.
Amelia and Bella are back! Promoting their fanfic and YA-love propelled Summer Season, one-night show ‘A Racket’ (like Arrakis in Dune, get it? hehe)
Marlow and Isla spring up from their seats to promote original Summer Season musical StuJo the Musical
Finally we spring up to promo THIS ARTICLE; EVERYBODY READ IT.
8:48pm: We’re all done! Thank you and goodnight!