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Direct in 2008-09
Information for Directors - Civic Theater 2008-09
Mainstage Season
The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (A2CT) Play Selection Committee is now accepting
applications to direct for the 2008-09 mainstage season. The following
information is being provided for your assistance in the development of
your proposal. The Season will begin in September 2008 and end in June
2009. Fill out the 08-09
Director's Proposal Form.
If you are interested in directing a production for the Studio Series
or the Junior Theatre, please contact Cassie Mann at A2CT.
Process
To help the committee develop a balanced season, the committee will
be using a three-phase application review process. The first phase will
require director applicants to submit a resume, a list of references,
and no more than three preliminary proposals for works they are interested
in directing (See initial proposal for details). Upon review of the preliminary
proposals, a committee chairperson will notify selected applicants to
request more detailed proposals. The committee reserves the right to ask
directors to consider alternative play selections in order to better round
out a season.
In the second phase of the process, selected applicants will be asked
to submit full proposals for one or more of the preliminary proposals.
In addition to each proposal, applicants must submit a (paper or electronic)
copy of the script that has been clearly annotated in any place the director
plans on making changes. If the submission is a musical, a (CD or electronic)
copy of the music should also be provided. Scripts and music should be
submitted as soon as possible after a full proposal has been requested
to allow the committee time to thoroughly review the material. Upon review
of the full proposals, a committee chairperson will notify all applicants,
and schedule interviews with selected applicants.
In the third phase of the process, the entire committee will interview
each selected applicant. After the interview has been completed, should
an applicant be chosen to direct, they will be expected to fulfill their
obligations. After all applicants have been interviewed, the committee
will meet in a closed session to select the season. The committee will
recommend a season to the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Board in January. After
the board has approved a season, all applicants will be notified of the
final season selections.
Guidelines
The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre main-stage season includes six productions,
which is typically broken-down into three musicals and three plays. A2CT
will be using two theaters, the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater and the Arthur
Miller Theatre at the University of Michigan. Typically, the Mendelssohn
Theatre is used for all three musicals and the Arthur Miller Theatre is
used for all three plays. While this isn’t a rule, there are many
reasons (financial, patronage, etc) why the breakdown happens in this
manner. The Arthur Miller Theatre is a reconfigurable theatre that has
two configurations, thrust or proscenium. The configuration of the theatre
is dictated by the University of Michigan, and will be unknown to A2CT
until after the selection process has been completed. Because of this,
any director that will be using the Arthur Miller Theatre must be willing
to use either configuration.
The committee is intent on helping A2CT as it continues to strengthen
its organization, audience and participants. In order to help A2CT achieve
these goals, the committee is actively trying to determine ways of attracting
a wider demographic audience than we have in the past. To that respect,
the committee believes that it is important to provide plays that are
easily recognizable to audiences that provide opportunities to attract
new actors, designers and technical staff while achieving a balance across
the entire season. As you weigh your options regarding potential play
selections, please consider shows that have recognizable titles, gender
balance, engaging scripts and manageable production goals. Your play considerations
could include a classic or modern comedy or drama, a mystery or thriller,
large-scale musicals, etc.
As always, the Play Selection Committee will strive to keep the play
selection process as fair as possible. That said: the ultimate charge
to the committee is to recommend the best season for Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.
The intention of the committee is to follow everything outlined in this
document however if a case arises that causes the committee to alter procedure,
the committee will make every attempt to extend the change to all prospective
directors. If at any point in the process you have questions, comments
or complaints regarding the process, please feel free to contract the
chair(s) of the committee, the A2CT office or the President of the Board
of Directors.
Timeline
October 26, 2007 (12:00 noon) – The initial proposal submissions
are due at the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre office. If there are technical
difficulties and you are not able to submit a complete initial proposal
application within the established timeline, submit a proposal anyway
and indicate on the application form the issue(s) that are preventing
you from completing your submission.
Week of November 12, 2007 – Directors will be contacted. Some
will be asked to create full proposals. Those directors not asked to submit
full proposals will also receive feedback from a committee chairperson.
November 30, 2007 (12:00 noon) – Full proposals are due at the
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre office from selected director submissions.
December 15 and December 16, 2007 – Interview times yet to be
determined. Director interviews will be scheduled for the directors whose
full proposals have been selected.
January 2008 – Committee recommendations for the 2008/2009 season
will be made to the Ann Arbor Civic Theater Board of Directors. Upon approval
by the board of directors, all prospective directors will be contacted
regarding the selected season.
If you have any questions concerning the process or if you need assistance
please contact Emily Rogers (volunteer@a2ct.org) at the Ann Arbor Civic
Theatre office or co-chairs Joyce Casale (jacasale@gmail.com) or Nathaniel
Madura (nmadura@umich.edu).
Thank you for taking time to create a directing proposal for Ann Arbor
Civic Theater. Your time and efforts are appreciated.
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