Tuesday, January 31, 2012

City Lit seeks submissions for Art of Adaptation Festival

City Lit Theater Company seeks submissions to The Art of Adaptation, its festival of stage adaptations of non-dramatic literature. The festival will take place June 29, 30, and July 1, at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue. We anticipate it will consist of 6 to 10 adaptations presented in various combinations over the course of the weekend. A panel of Jeff Award winning judges will view all performances and award a $500 cash prize to the adaptor of the piece judged the best of the festival.

THE RULES:
1. All pieces must be between 5 and 20 minutes.
2. It must be an adaptation of non-dramatic material—a short story, an essay, a memoir, poetry, an excerpt from a novel, a video game, what have you; but not material from a play.
3. Each adaptor is responsible for whatever royalties might be due on your piece, as well as for your own rehearsal process. City Lit will not provide rehearsal space prior to tech rehearsal, nor will it provide services of a director or any actors for any piece.
4. All pieces will be performed on the same simple unit set with the same simple light plot (including one special per piece). A stock of furniture will be provided. If your piece requires furniture beyond the provided stock, it is your responsibility.
5. City Lit will provide performance space, backstage and front-of-house crew, publicity, programs, tickets and the $500 cash prize.

To submit a proposal for entry into the festival, send a one-page description of the project you are proposing, and ten pages of your adaptation script, to Katy Nielsen at City Lit Theatre, 1020 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago IL 60660. Proposals must be postmarked no later than April 30th.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Industry Ticket Offer

Clutter – MadKap Productions at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, is offering $15 industry tickets for Thursday and Friday night 7:30 performances through March 11. For reservations contact 773.404.7336 or visit www.greenhousetheater.org and mention the code “Industry”.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

G8/NATO

SO, Chicago will be hosting the G8 and NATO summits this Spring, but you already knew that. While it is unlikely that world leaders will be popping by your theatres, we should get ready. There will be a number of people from the foreign delegations in Chicago working on the summits throughout the month of May but more than that, I think it is an opportunity for us to generate discussions, plays, readings, and performance pieces around the topics that are typically discussed at these summits. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all get our audiences talking about global issues?

The League will be developing a page on our website of activities, discounts, etc. to run throughout the month of May, so please submit your events and offers to us (ben@chicagoplays.com). It can be anything, you can do a discount or tell us about your talkbacks, but it would be awesome if everyone came up with something that related somehow to the G8/NATO summits. We want to draw attention to theatre as a catalyst for examination of our world and the possibility of change.

During the month of May we will also be running a variation on our popular SHOWGO! program called SHOWGO8! See 8 shows during the month of May and win a $50 restaurant gift certificate. We won’t be doing the cards for this one – simply bring your 8 proofs of purchase to Hot Tix.

The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau are both undertaking efforts to point journalists in the direction of culture as one of the highlights of Chicago. We will make sure that they know about your efforts.

Here are some things you may or may not know but I didn’t until a few days ago and you might find useful. The G8 Summit begins at Noon on Saturday May 19 and runs through Noon on Sunday May 20. The NATO Summit begins at 2:00 PM on Sunday May 20 and runs through 2:00 PM on Monday May 21. Specific street closings and security measures will not be announced until 2-4 weeks before the summit begins.

Questions?? Suggestions?? You know where I am.

Deb

Chicago Theatre Intern Networking Event

Monday, February 27, 2011, 6 - 8 p.m.
Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn

Meet and network with interns at other Chicago theatre companies. Take part in breakout groups by job discipline led by established and emerging leaders in the Chicago theater community. Don't miss this unique opportunity to make connections and learn from the experience of leaders in the theatre community.

This event is FREE but space is limited! RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com before Friday, February 24 to attend. Please pass on to your company's interns.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Industry Ticket Offers

Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar - American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron, is offering $15 industry tickets for previews Friday 1/27 at 8 p.m., Saturday 1/28 at 8 p.m. and Sunday 1/29 at 3 p.m. Please call the box office at 773-409-4125 or go to http://www.atcweb.org/ and use the code PAREJA.

Penelope by Enda Walsh - Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted is offering $10 tickets for performances Tuesday, January 31st through Sunday, February 5th. To redeem tickets visit http://www.steppenwolf.org/ or call Audience Services directly at 312.335.1650 and use code “9704.” Tickets must be reserved at least one hour before performance. Subject to availability.

The Gingerbread House - Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont, is offering $10 industry tickets to preview performances February 2, 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.redtapetheatre.org for more info and the purchase tickets. Use code STUIND to reveal discounted pricing. Tickets also available at the door by seating is limited. Box Office is cash only. Contact Myah Shein at myah.shein@redtapetheatre.org with questions.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Pride Films and Plays Accepting Entries for Women's Work Contest

Pride Films and Plays is excited to announce that submissions to the second Women's Work Contest for plays and screenplays written by women featuring lesbian characters or themes will be accepted from February 1 to April 10.

Women's Work has both stage play and screenplay categories, and this year for the first time both Shorts and Full Length scripts and screenplays will be judged. Winning writers also earn a cash prize ($400 for full-length, $100 for shorts) and the authors will be invited to Chicago for up to ten hours of rehearsal with directors and actors from the Pride Films and Plays Artistic Ensemble prior to the performance.

Entry fee is waived if entry is received between February 1 and February 10. Regular deadline is March 10, with $15 fee. Final Deadline is April 10, with $30 fee. To make the final deadline, scripts must by received via email by 11:59 pm Central Time on April 10, 2012. CST. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.

Authors may enter as many scripts as you wish, but each entry form can be accompanied by only one (1) script. Each additional entry will require a separate entry form and separate entry Fee. Only one free application may be submitted. If submitting a second script there is a $10 discount for the second entry fee. The full entry fee is due for all entries made after that.

The judges will name five finalists in both the Stage and Screenplay categories for full-length submissions, based on a scoring sheet found in the contest rules. The top two scoring scripts in each category will receive a cash prize of $400, and will be performed as staged readings July 27 to 29 during the Women's Work Weekend at the Hoover-Leppen Theater at Center On Halsted in Chicago. Authors will be invited to participate in up to ten hours of rehearsal with cast and director prior to the performance.

In the Shorts category, up to 8 screenplays and plays will be selected to be performed during the Women's Work Weekend, and each author whose work is presented in that festival will receive a $100 cash prize. Authors will be invited to participate in one rehearsal with cast and director prior to the performance.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Victory Gardens announces call for Ignition Festival Submissions

Victory Gardens Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Director Jan Kallish announce the third IGNITION Festival of New American Plays. Victory Gardens is searching for new, challenging, and innovative plays by writers of color for the 2012 festival. Submissions will be accepted through March 1, 2012.

The third IGNITION festival will create a productive environment for both emerging and established playwrights of color to explore and develop their new work. IGNITION continues Victory Gardens’ core mission of presenting new plays that reflect and speak to diverse communities in Chicago and throughout the country.

Six new plays will be presented in a festival of readings scheduled July 29-August 5, 2012. The plays will be directed by leading artists from Chicago and around the country. Following the readings, the plays may be considered for further development and possible production at Victory Gardens Theater. Victory Gardens provides selected playwrights with housing and transportation as well as a stipend for one rehearsal week beginning July 29, through the final event of the festival weekend on August 5, 2012.

Facts about submission for the third IGNITION festival

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2012
Announcement of Six Festival Participants: May 1, 2012
Festival Dates: July 29 – August 5, 2012

Submission Guidelines:
• There is no restriction as to subject matter. Victory Gardens hopes that a diversity of perspective will inform the plays, but the plays do not have to deal specifically with race, ethnicity or identity issues.
• The initiative is open to all playwrights of color.
• Submitted plays must be unproduced and must be in English or primarily in English.
• Playwrights may only submit one full-length play.
• Plays must be submitted by mail, not electronically, and should not be permanently bound.
• Please include a biography or resume as well as the reading/development history of the submitted script. Please be sure to include your email address as well as your phone number(s).
• Please include a return addressed postcard if you wish to be notified when the script arrives. All scripts will be recycled after reading and will not be returned.
• There is no submission fee.

Submission should be mailed to: IGNITION, Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Industry Ticket Offer

Ameriville - Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. is offering $15 tickets for preview performances January 27 through February 5. Call 773.871.3000 to purchase your tickets and use Code INDUSTRY. To learn more visit http://victorygardens.org/onstage/ameriville.php.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Your Artistic Home

HowlRound recently launched an interesting new series about the search for an Artistic Home. Todd London the Artistic Director of New Dramatists kicked off the series last week by writing an insightful and inspiring response to the questions of what makes an artistic home and how do you find one? (Click here to read his entire piece.) In his post he includes a list of 16 suggestions for how we can create or build an artistic home for others. Some of his ideas would be more challenging, but I really like how simple some of the suggestions are such as providing free snacks and food. It doesn't take much work, but it could go a long ways towards creating a friendly and welcoming environment for artists. Does your theatre have any special traditions or ways of creating an artistic home? What are you doing to build that supportive environment for your artists, ensemble, company, staff, board etc...?

Register for the Arts & Education Exchange Summit

The Arts & Education Exchange Summit 2012 is a new event to connect educators with Chicago's arts providers. The Summit will take place on Saturday, February 4th at the Chicago Cultural Center from 10am-2pm.

The Arts & Education Exchange Summit is a one-stop resource expo to help educators enhance their instruction in the arts and other subjects. Educators are invited to meet with over 50 representatives from local arts and cultural organizations and to attend workshops led by experts in the field on a range of topics from how to build successful partnerships, to fundraising, and tools to assess the impact of partnerships on students. Attendees also have the chance to win free arts programming for their students.

RSVP by Wednesday, February 1, 2012 online or by calling 312.742.1761.

Eclipse Theatre Crafting O'Neill Event

Eclipse Theatre Company presents Crafting O'Neill: A Sneak Preview of their 2012 Season. Sunday January 22 at 3pm and Monday January 23 at 7pm at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N Southport. Featuring scenes from the 2012 Season, including Beyond the Horizon, Ah, Wilderness! and Long Day's Journey into Night, plus a special glimpse into O'Neill's long-lost play Exorcism. A reception and discussion with the artists will follow the event. Admission is free with a $10 suggested donation. To RSVP, please call 773-325-9655 or email info@eclipsetheatre.com.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Space Availability at Stage 773

Stage773 has DISCOUNTED last minute space available! Fully renovated Northside theatre space available for February/March at Stage773. Proscenium space seats 148 and theatre in great location near public transportation comes with lighting package, full box office and marketing assistance. Contact Jill Valentine at (773) 929-7367 x111 or jill@stage773.com for details.

Industry Ticket Offers

Time Stands Still – Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, is offering $10 tickets for performances Thursday, January 19 through Saturday, January 28 in the Upstairs Theatre. To redeem $10 tickets visit www.steppenwolf.org or call Audience Services directly at 312.335.1650 and use code “9703.” Tickets must be reserved at least one hour before performance. Subject to availability.

Romeo and Juliet - State Ballet Theatre of Russia at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, is offering 50% off tickets* for Sat, Jan 28 at 8:00pm and Sun, Jan 29 at 2pm. Use code INDUSTRY. Tickets available at 800.982.ARTS, www.ticketmaster.com/auditorium or the Auditorium box office. *Available on price levels 2-4 only.

The Second City’s Improv Extravaganza Explosion – UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave, is offering 2-for-1 tickets to both preview performances of their new kids show in January, Saturdays at 11am. For tickets call 312-662-4562 and mention the code industry. For more information visit http://www.upcomedyclub.com/.

The Ghost is Here - Vitalist Theatre at the DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph in Chicago, is offering $15 industry tickets for Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. through February 16th. Email TicketOffice@explorechicago.org or call 312-742-TIXS (8497). Visit http://www.dcatheater.org/ for more information.

This Is Not A Dance Concert – The Seldoms at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph, is offering a limited number of $15 industry tickets, limit 2 per person, for the 7 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. performances on Saturday, February 4th. Call (312) 334-7777 and mention the code: Industry. Visit http://theseldoms.org/ for more information.

Unnecessary Farce - First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Hall, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W 31st St, Oak Brook, is offering $10 tickets to industry professionals for Wednesday evening performances on February 1, 8 and 15. Tickets are on an "as available" basis and may be purchased no sooner than 48 hours in advance. Professionals must bring a union card, a headshot/resume, tech resume, or business card indicating employment in the theater business. Tickets may be purchased by calling 630-986-8067.

Moon Over Buffalo - Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, 425 Fawell Blvd.,Glen Ellyn is offering $10 industry tickets for all performances Jan. 19 to Feb. 12. Actor’s tickets are available with headshot and resume and designer tickets are available with business card or resume. Subject to availability. For more information call (630) 942-4000.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

We Need More Money

Yesterday, You’ve Cott Mail was devoted to the not for profit business model. I’ve always been a big advocate for looking at our business model and thinking about how we might do it better but as I was reading the email it struck me that whenever we are talking about business models we talk about non profit as if its somehow different from a for profit business model that isn’t broken. The basic difference is that in most cases, non profit businesses don’t pay taxes and many (but not all) philanthropic organizations require that you have IRS 501(c) 3 status in order to receive contributions.

It’s not like we sit around and think up ways not to make money so we can maintain our not for profit status. You never hear anybody asking if the for profit business model is broken, because that would call capitalism into question and in fact, well, maybe it is broken, but you see what I’m getting at right?

It’s not all the same – the non profit business model is not any one model – you can’t lump Northwestern Hospital and Greater Chicago Food Depository and Steep Theatre into the same category and say – yeah…not working. In fact many non profit businesses are thriving. But we are really talking about the performing arts. Paying bills, fulfilling missions, employing lots of people, being good citizens…many theatres are thriving as well, even if they do operate at a deficit. But you can’t operate a business, any business year after year at a deficit and expect to survive.

As I write this I say to myself, for once in your life you have to come up with some solutions. Well, sorry to disappoint you and myself…but here’s what I do have to say, we have to stop thinking about it like there is going to be solution out there that will fit all of us. Our ticket sales, in most cases, do not cover our costs. Contributions, in many cases do not cover the gap. I would suggest that we come up with more ways to diversify our income streams, invest in our future, think about our businesses as businesses that need to survive in the long term, but let’s stop talking about something that is broken and start looking at the real issue – we don’t make enough money and how are we going to change that.

Industry Ticket Offers

Enron - TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave., is offering $15 industry tickets to all preview performances January 17 - 26. For tickets call 773.281.8463 x6 and mention code industry. For more information visit www.timelinetheatre.com.

MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive Charity Partners Program

Looking for a fun and easy summer fundraiser for your non-profit organization? Apply to the MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive Charity Partners Program. Give your supporters an enjoyable way to make a real difference for your mission – by raising money to for your work and enjoying a bike ride on a car-free Lakeshore Drive on Sunday, May 27th. See attachment for more details or contact katie@activetrans.org.

Spring Space Availability at Chicago Dramatists

Chicago Dramatists has rental space available for a 6 week commitment, beginning March 26th and ending May 6th. Rental fee is $1,150 a week; this includes: Lobby, Bar Service, Lighting and Sound. To inquire further about this rental opportunity, contact Brian Loevner, Managing Director, at bloevner@chicagodramatists.org.

Rehearsal Space Availability at Gorilla Tango Theatre

Hey! Looking for someplace to rehearse? Gorilla Tango Theatre has rental rooms available for just $12/hour!

Rooms can be rented out online with a credit card at www.gorillatango.com/portal. Check availability, schedule out rooms, have a good time - all from the comfort of your own computer!

Gorilla Tango Theatre is located at 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60647 (Western stop on O'Hare Blue Line). Private second-floor rehearsal rooms are available to GTT and non-GTT producers alike, and include individually controlled AC, centralized heating, 10 foot ceilings, and carpeted floors. Note: sorry - no amplified music/drum rehearsals (acoustic and mp3 player music - OK).

Visit www.gorillatango.com/portal to rent out rooms, for more info, dimensions, etc!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

They Should Answer To Us

Welcome to the first blog of 2012. It’s been an eventful first few days, and not really in a good way, but one thing that’s been on my mind has been these Iowa caucuses. All of these will lead back around to why you should come to the advocacy roundtable on 1/23. So, of the 3 million residents of Iowa, 640,000 are registered republicans and can vote in the Iowa caucuses (actually, anyone can vote, they simply have to register as a republican wherever the caucus is being held). Of those registered republicans (and others, presumably) only 123,000 voted. Of those 123,000 only 60,000 voted for the top two candidates, that’s about the same number of people who are on the email list for our Hot Tix emails. Not too many. And, in fact, those caucuses do not even elect the delegates to the national convention, that comes later, it’s very complicated the way this thing works, you can look it up.

I think more people should vote. Each of those votes in Iowa counted for nearly 6 other republican votes. Even with the world watching less than 20% of republicans showed up to choose a republican candidate for president. No wonder politicians think they don’t answer to us. I think we, and I include myself, should be more involved politically, that we should communicate regularly with our elected officials. They should answer to us.

So, a couple of things, come to the advocacy roundtable on January 23. Did you know that the City of Chicago is working on a new cultural plan for the city? Well, they are…you can find out more here. There is a place there for suggestions and comments and we will be organizing a meeting between City officials and the theatre community soon. And…if you haven’t introduced yourself and your company to your Alderman yet, do it. They can actually help you in a lot of ways.

Deb

Industry Ticket Offers

Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah - Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, is offering 50% off tickets* for Sat, Jan 14 at 7:30pm and Sun, Jan 15 at 3pm. Use code LEAGUE. Tickets available at 800.982.ARTS, www.ticketmaster.com/auditorium or the Auditorium box office. *Available on price levels 2 & 3 only.

The Gingerbread House - Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont Ave. is offering $15 industry tickets to performances February 2 - March 3. Special industry night performance on February 13 at 7 :30 p.m. For tickets visit http://www.redtapetheatre.com/.

Death and Harry Houdini - The House Theatre of Chicago at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. offers $10 student and industry rush tickets available at all performances pending availability one prior to curtain at the box office window through March 11, 2012. Visit http://www.thehousetheatre.com/ for more information.

Winter Pageant 2011 - Redmoon Theater, 1463 W. Hubbard St. is offering FREE industry tickets for all Jan 7th and 8th performances. To find out more and to purchase tickets, please visit our website www.redmoon.org and use code "CROONER"

Space Availability at Greenhouse Theater Center

60-Seat Studio Rental available at the Greenhouse Theater Center. $1000/week includes box office, front of house services, lighting & sound package, Playbill, full-service bar & concessions and cross-promotion marketing opportunities with other Greenhouse Theater Center companies. Space is available from April 2-May 27, 2012. Please contact Jenn Kincaid at jennifer@greenhousetheater.org or at 773.404.7336 x200 for more information.

Short Run, 195-Seat Mainstage Rental available at the Greenhouse Theater Center. Perfect for Dance Companies or other shorter run opportunities! $3000/week includes box office, front of house services, lighting & sound package, Playbill, full-service bar & concessions and cross-promotion marketing opportunities with other Greenhouse Theater Center companies. Space is available from April 30-May 20, 2012. Please contact Jenn Kincaid at jennifer@greenhousetheater.org or at 773.404.7336 x200 for more information.