FESTIVAL@FIRST 7
Call for Directors (Updated – changes/additions listed in italics)
Theatre@First seeks directors for its seventh annual festival of one-act plays. This year we are trying something new—a Shakespeare-inspired show. We are looking for re-contextualized scenes from Shakespeare’s canon[1] and/or 10- to 20-minute plays inspired by this work. (Longer segments may be considered if appropriate; however, we anticipate choosing between 4 and 7 scripts to result in a 90-120 minute production, including intermission.) The theme is “Shakespeare with a Twist” or “Shaken Up Shakespeare” (exact title to be chosen when plays are selected). We are looking for creative, low-tech interpretations that rely on basic-yet-evocative costume pieces and props to communicate the context. Some things to consider:
- Many non-traditional interpretations of Shakespeare do not hold up across the full play; this festival is an opportunity to experiment with such ideas in a focused way.
- The company is coming off a series of fairly expensive shows and is looking to keep production costs (including performance rights) low.
- Selections will be made by the Producer, Festival Director, and Technical Director on the basis of artistic merit, technical and financial feasibility, as well as synergy and balance with other pieces chosen.
- Performances will occur in the basement of Unity Church of God in Davis Square
- Don’t think too hard about breaking new ground; we’re looking for fun and creativity!
NOTE: Scripts without directors will NOT be considered.
Schedule
New Deadline! Applications are due by the end of the day on Monday, March 22. Please let us know in advance if you intend to submit a proposal. We encourage early submission, although this will not increase a play’s likelihood of being chosen for production. We reserve the right to contact you with follow-up questions after your proposal has been submitted.
Directors will be notified no later than Thursday, April 15. In the event that the committee cannot assemble a full slate of plays for production, additional recruitment may occur between proposal deadline and director notification. Failure to produce a full slate of plays will result in cancellation of the festival.
In addition to regular rehearsals with individual casts, we expect all directors to be available for directors meetings[2], auditions, callbacks[3], all-cast rehearsals[4], and tech week. Additional communication will occur via email and group discussion lists (e.g. yahoogroups).
If you have any questions about the above information or proposal requirements, please contact us at .
An informal discussion about ideas for twists is available on the Theatre@First Livejournal: http://community.livejournal.com/theatreatfirst/110336.html
APPLICATION TO DIRECT
Please fill out the application below and submit it by email to by end of day on March 15, 2009. Directors will be notified of selections by end of day on April 15.
Your Name:
The Play: (include scene number(s) if reinterpreting the canon)
The Twist:
Please submit a (rough) copy of your script with your proposal. Full text of Shakespeare’s plays can be found at http://shakespeare.mit.edu/ (you are not required to use this particular folio). We understand that additional editing may occur during the rehearsal process. If your script is not available electronically, please let us know as soon as possible so we can provide a mailing address or rendezvous point before the application deadline. All materials must be received by March 15.
THE BASICS
Cast size and composition:
Please include breakdown for male/female/flexible-gendered characters, as well as willingness to cross-cast roles or share actors with other plays.
Rights-free? Yes No
If no, please provide cost and licensing (source) information:
Anticipated running time:
ESSAY QUESTIONS
Your answers to each of the following three questions should be between a paragraph and a page in length. You may also attach supplemental materials (e.g. images, illustrations, background) if needed; however this is not required. Please be judicious.
What is your vision for this piece? Why do you want to direct it?
How will you bring it to life? (While this call for submissions does focus on costumes, props, etc. please be sure to include your technical needs in the areas of set, lighting, and sound as well. Remember that the committee is looking for creative minimalism!)
What experience and skills would you bring to the directing team?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In order to help us assemble the appropriate crew, please tell us what level of support you anticipate needing in the following areas. (Your answers will not affect your script’s likelihood of being selected for production.)
Dramaturgy: High Medium Low None
Costuming: High Medium Low None
Props: High Medium Low None
Rehearsal Assistants: I have one I don’t need one I need help recruiting one
Comments on any of the above:
What conflicts, if any, do you have with the proposed production schedule?
Auditions: Week of May 10 Rehearsals: May 17 through July 15
Tech weekend: July 10-11 Performances: July 16-24
Your plan for managing these conflicts:
IN CONCLUSION
Is there any other information you feel the committee should know about your proposal?
[1] By way of example: Queen Lear (reinterpreted gender); disco-era Midsummer (reinterpreted time period), Titus Andronicus as a restaurant Chef seeking revenge for a critic’s bad review (reinterpreted context); Twelfth Night’s Malvolio as a bullied high school student, a la Mean Girls (reinterpreted characters and setting); etc. Be creative!
[2] We expect to hold one such meeting before auditions, another within the first few weeks of rehearsals, and others to be scheduled by the festival director/tech director if needed
[3] Even if you don’t need them yourself
[4] Monthly during general rehearsals, more frequently toward the end of the rehearsal period