2008

Guidelines for Participation

and

Application Form

Theater

Title of the Project

Playwright

Director

Composer
(if Applicable)

Guidelines

for Application

Application Must Be Received at the Kennedy Center by August 1, 2007

Any applications received after this date will not be considered.

Please enclose the following:

1.Completed Application form.

2.Background information about the theater.

3.Resume or bio of playwright.

4.Resume or bio of director.

5.Resume or bio of composer (if a musical or opera).

6.A written statement describing the project, what goals you wish to accomplish during your time at the Kennedy Center and how this project will benefit from participation in New Visions/New Voices.

7.A self-addressed stamped postcard for acknowledgement of receipt of the application

8.ONE of the following:

a)The current draft of the script. If a musical or opera, please include a written copy of the score and a CD of the music.

b)If project is in preliminary development, please send:

  • A detailed treatment or scenario of the project.
  • Writing sample(s) from the playwright.
  • Musical demos from the composer (if a musical or opera).

9.THREE copies of the script, score, and/or proposal with the name of the playwright, composer and theater removed.

Guidelines for Submission

  • Proposals must be submitted by a professional theater. Any individual unsolicited scripts will not be accepted.
  • A theater may submit more than one proposal
  • College/University theaters are eligible only if:
  • A professional playwright is commissioned to write a piece for young audiences.
  • The school has a professional theater company producing work for young audiences.
  • Proposals must include both a playwright and a director, who may not be the same person. Both must be able to be present in Washington, DC from April 21-27, 2008.
  • Proposals must not have had a full production, though they may have had a rehearsed reading as part of the developmental process. A rehearsed reading is defined as “book in hand” and one that does not require any memorization, no technical elements (i.e. sets, costumes, props, etc) and where no admission was charged.
  • Proposals should be in the future plans for a production at the submitting theater.
  • Proposals may be at any stage of development ranging from an idea to a completed script. If a draft script has not been written, a detailed description, scenario, or treatment must be submitted with the application. Since the adjudicators are judging completed scripts as well as scenarios, it is to your benefit to provide as much detail as possible about the proposed project.
  • Proposals will be screened by outside adjudicators and final selections will be made by the Kennedy Center.
  • New Visions/New Voices 2008 will include six to seven rehearsed readings, one or two of which may be selected from international applications. The Kennedy Center may also choose to workshop one of its own productions.
  • All scripts must be written in English. All rehearsals, readings and discussions will be conducted in English.


APPLICATION

Information and Production Requirements for Selected Projects

  • If your submission is based on a proposal, not a draft script, and is chosen to be a part of New Visions/New Voices 2008, we must receive a First Draft of the script no later than November 15, 2007.
  • We of course understand that plays and projects evolve, but if at any point a selected project deviates significantly from the application (including, but not limited to change of director, or change from a non-musical to a musical), the Kennedy Center reserves the right to put another project in its place.
  • Readings will be held in the Kennedy Center Family Theater. While past readings have been limited to one hour, some readings may be longer than 60 minutes. New Visions/New Voices staff will determine the allowable time for the reading in consultation with the project’s director after plays are selected.
  • The Kennedy Center provides actors, stage managers, and limited dramaturgical and production support. For musicals and operas, we will provide a music director, as well as a piano or synthesizer.
  • The Kennedy Center practices non-traditional casting and, in consultation with the project’s director, casts the projects from local Washington, DC area actors. Once finalized, casting will not change.
  • New Visions/New Voices staff schedules rehearsals, taking into account AEA Theatre for Young Audiences guidelines, availability of rehearsal space, and the schedules of actors. Projects are assigned to rehearse either mornings or afternoons. The overall time allotted to the rehearsal and reading is 16 to 20 hours with four to five hours of rehearsal per day for five days. AEA guidelines for staged readings specify that performers must remain on book with only minimal staging and no technical elements, such as props, light cues, etc.
  • Since we are unable to provide computer access, it is recommended that project teams supply their own laptop(s).
  • For U.S. Projects: The Kennedy Center will provide round-trip travel to and from Washington D.C. for the Playwright, Director, and Composer (if the project is a musical or opera) and an honorarium towards hotel and per-diem expenses to participating theaters.
  • For International Projects: The Kennedy Center will provide round-trip travel to and from Washington, D.C., hotel accommodations, and per diem for the Playwright, Director, and Composer (if applicable). The Center will also assist with necessary visa applications.

Title of the Project:

What kind of play is the script (as in drama, musical, opera, etc.)? ______

Has the script had a rehearsed reading?Audience Age Range:

Estimated playing time: ______# of actors: ______# of characters: ______

If the script is a musical or opera, please provide vocal requirements, including vocal ranges for each actor/character:

______

______

Is the script written to be performed by young (high school or younger) actors?

When do you envision the show being produced in your theater’s season: ______

Special Project Needs:

Anything else we need to know about your project? ______

______


Contact

Information

Theater

Primary Contact

Address

City

StateZip

Country______

PhoneFax

Email address______

Playwright

Address

City

StateZip

Country______

PhoneFax

Email address______

Director

Address

City

StateZip

Country______

PhoneFax

Email address______

Composer

Address

City

StateZip

Country______

PhoneFax

Email address______

Please read the following statement carefully. The Theater’s Artistic/Producing Director or the Executive/Managing Director must sign below, as well as the Playwright, Director, and (if applicable) Composer of the proposed project.

By signing below, we hereby commit our organization to participate, if selected, in New Visions/New Voices 2008. We have read the guidelines, and certify that our submission meets the necessary qualifications listed and agree to abide by the terms herein. We understand that if selected the specific terms of participation shall be governed by a separate contract which will be provided upon selection. We also agree to be responsible for all costs above those provided by the Kennedy Center (actors, stage managers, and production support). We understand that the honorarium that we receive is not considered to be full compensation for our expenses.

______

Signatory on Behalf of the TheaterPlaywright

______

TitleDirector

______

Composer (if applicable)