A Template for Future Collaboration

I am very excited about the launch of fugardchicago2010.org. This website, created by Remy Bumppo, Court Theatre and TimeLine and sponsored by the League was the brainchild of the three theatres that discovered they were all doing Fugard shows this season. It is a superb example of ways in which we can collaborate. Check it out here

The best thing about this website is that we can use the basic site for other collaborations, so…if you and a couple other theatres want to do something like this or if there is some other way in which you feel your patrons would benefit from seeing a number of different shows in a season, you can use this site to promote that. If you would like to sell collaborative subscriptions, you can use the site to do that. All kinds of good stuff can happen.

The original three theatres will be using the site this season, but if you have something for the summer or for next season that you think would work well, let us know.

Deb

Industry Ticket Offer

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play - American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron, is offering $10 industry rush tickets for the Thursday, December 10th performance at 8 p.m. Industry Rush tickets go on sale at the Box Office at 7:15 p.m. Please present head-shot, resume or equity card.

The Saints Now Accepting Grant Applications

The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts, are now accepting applications from not-for-profit Chicago-area performing arts organizations for grants. To see qualifications and to download an application, go to www.saintschicago.org. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 30. If you have any questions or want more information, contact Dale Kuypers, Grants Chair, at grants4saints@sbcglobal.net.

Yale Institute for Music Theatre Now Accepting Applications

Now in its second year, the Yale Institute for Music Theatre, a collaboration between Yale School of Drama and Yale School of Music, endeavors to bridge the gap between graduate school and the professional world for gifted, emerging composers and playwrights. Developed as a laboratory for the creation of music theatre works, YIMT runs from June 13 to 27, 2010. Three works will be selected for workshop. The Institute is process-oriented. The selected composers and writers will be matched with directors, music directors, actors, and singers from New York and Yale to workshop the selected scripts/scores. The final week will culminate in public open rehearsals of each work. The writers will each receive a stipend of $1,000 plus travel and housing accommodations in New Haven. Submissions must be received by January 11, 2010. The three selections will be announced by March 1, 2009. Book musicals, opera, and other imaginative music-theatre projects are welcome. Only composers, playwrights, lyricists, or librettists who are current graduate students, as well as those who have graduated from an accredited degree granting institution (undergraduate or graduate) within the past five years, or are current Yale students, are eligible to apply.

Click here for this year's guidelines and application materials.
Questions? Contact: YIMT@yale.edu.

Chicago Fringe Festival Now Accepting Applications

The Chicago Fringe Festival (CFF) invites emerging and established performing artists from Chicago, the U.S. and beyond to showcase their work and add to the dialogue of theatrical art. The Festival also seeks to enhance the perception of Chicago as a major hub for theatre. CFF encourages performers to take bold risks by providing an avenue for affordable productions. It also seeks to bring in non-traditional theater-goers through a commitment to low ticket prices and outreach into communities not commonly represented. In this fashion, The Chicago Fringe Festival provides an avenue for diverse artists and audience members to connect in a singular and immediate way.

For more information and to apply: http://www.chicagofringe.org/perform.html

Request for Proposals: Shakespeare in American Communities

Shakespeare for a New Generation, part of the NEA’s Shakespeare in American Communities initiative, provides grants to professional theater companies to introduce middle and high school students to the power of live theater and William Shakespeare. Theater companies selected present productions of Shakespeare plays with accompanying educational activities to students from at least 10 schools in their communities.

The program period is June 1, 2010-May 31, 2011. Approximately 40 theater companies will be selected. The standard grant award is $25,000. Grants must be matched 1:1 with nonfederal funds. Deadline: January 20, 2010.

Visit http://www.shakespeareinamericancommunities.org/ to download the Request for Proposals and to connect to Arts Midwest's eGRANT. Proposals must be completed through eGRANT.

Questions? Contact Christy Dickinson, program director at Arts Midwest at shakespeare@artsmidwest.org.

Attn: Drama and Improv Instructors

Do you work with a hilarious group of teen improvisors, sketch-writers, or stand-up commedians? The 2010 TEEN COMEDY FEST is now accepting submissions for individuals and groups of students between the ages of 13 and 19 to participate in our fourth annual festival. The Teen Comedy Fest is produced by the Chicago Improv Festival and features a variety of styles of teen comedy performance from across the country. Participants take part in workshops, performances, and inter-group jam sessions in this full-day event. For more information or an application, email festival director Emily Dugan at directordugan@gmail.com. Application deadline Jan 15, 2010.

Upcoming Events

There are a few community events coming up in the next couple weeks that we'd like to remind everyone about and encourage your attendance. Each event provides a fantastic opportunity for networking, conversation and to share a little holiday cheer. We hope to see you at one or all of them! Just follow the links below for more information and to RSVP.

Chicago Storefront Summit II - Sunday, December 6, 7 - 9 p.m. at DANK Haus, 4740 N. Western Ave. Click here for more information.

'Tis the Season Holiday Party with Season of Concern - Monday, December 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division. Click here for more information.

Executive/Managing Director Roundtable - Monday, December 14, 6 - 8 p.m. at ComedySportz Theatre, 929 W. Belmont Ave. Click here for more information.

Arts Midwest Performing Arts Fund Grants

This fund supports the inter-state touring of professional performing artists throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Grants are applied for and made directly to presenting organizations, and engagements must feature a professional performing artist or ensemble from anywhere outside the applicant’s state. The review of applications will begin on March 24, 2010 and continue until funds are depleted. Visit the Arts Midwest website for application guidelines and materials.

2010 CAAP Grants Application and Deadline

The Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) is an annual grant opportunity open to new, emerging and mid-career artists and nonprofit arts organizations. Applicants can request a maximum of $1,000 for projects that address specific professional and artistic development needs. Applications are available in mid-December and are due on January 25. The Department of Cultural Affairs is offering a series of Application Assistance Workshops to those interested in applying. More

Industry Ticket Offers

The Snow Queen - Victory Gardens Theater at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln, is offering $10 industry tickets Thursday, Dec. 3rd to Thursday, Dec. 10th . Available online, by phone or in person. Subject to availability. For tickets call 773-871-3000 or go to www.victorygardens.org and use promo code "INDUSTRY"

Holiday Divas - Theatre and Intepretation Center at Northwestern University is offering $5 off tickets to the two-night-only cabaret event featuring Ross Lehman, Susan Moniz and Hollis Resnik performing favorite and festive holiday classics. Performances take place December 7-8 at 8 p.m. Tickets: (847) 491-7282 or www.tic.northwestern.edu. Mention promo code: SING.

Industry Ticket Offers

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play - American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron Street, is offering $10 industry rush tickets for the Thursday, December 3rd performance at 8 p.m. Industry Rush tickets go on sale at the Box Office 45 minutes prior to the performance. Please present a head-shot, resume or equity card at time of purchase.

Democracy - Eclipse Theatre Co. at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., is offering $10 industry tickets for the Thursday, December 3rd at 8 p.m., and Saturday, December 5th at 3 p.m. performances. Call the box office at 773-404-7336 and mention "industry discount". Visit www.eclipsetheatre.com for more details.