Melodrama Festival

 

Purchase your tickets to the 2012 Melodrama Festival by clicking here.

 

 

The Annual Melodrama Festival Kicks off at The Art Centre Theatre February 10 – 19, 2012. We are currently taking any and all submissions from writers/directors for shows for the festival. Please see requirements below.

  1. Each melodrama must be no more than 30 minutes in length.
  2. If you make a submission, we assume that you have already found an individual to direct your show and you have begun the casting process for your show. We will not monitor this … but you will be signing a contract stating as much once you have been slated into the festival.  At our first meeting, we will require documentation of a cast and director. The first meeting will be held the second week of January 2012.
  3. Each submission must be a Melodrama and must follow the classical format for the genre “Villain / Hero or Heroine / character in distress” … Happy Ending with a resolution.
  4. Each group will be given two opportunities to present their work, (delete – one evening and one afternoon show). The times will be determined by the Festival Council after all entries have been received and reviewed.
  5. There is absolutely no cost to be involved, other than the cost you incur yourself in the production of your work.
  6. There are no stipends or budgetary allotments for this show.  Financing is left entirely up to each group.
  7. During the first weekend, the Festival Council and audience members will be allowed to vote on the best melodrama.  The second weekend will be the finals for the top 4 melodramas which will again be voted on by the Festival Council and audience members.  Net profits from the preliminary performances will be split among all participating groups.  Net profits from the finals weekend will be split between the four finalist – 1st Place 50%; 2nd – 25%; 3rd – 15%; and 4th – 10%.  What you do with that money is entirely up to you. We have no way of giving you an estimate of how much that profit will be.
  8. The First Place winner (writer/director/company) will be provided the opportunity to produce and perform a full-length production with a two weekend run at the ArtCentre Theatre during the next season (2012 -2013).
  9. We simply provide a free venue with minimal staging for you to display your work.
  10. All participants should be aware that this is a professional theatre and all members of your troupe are expected to behave accordingly. Any damage, vandalism or proprietary misconduct that occurs because of your company’s negligence will be the sole responsibility of your group.
  11. Each group must elect, or present, a responsible party to sign all contracts and take fiscal responsibility for the group while at ACT. Although there is no cost, this person must be of legal age and must fully understand their role and responsibilities.
  12. There will always be an ACT staff member present at every show and rehearsal to help you.
  13. All companies will need to secure a Stage Manager, light board operator (we will train them), a sound board operator (again we will train them) two ushers and two box office personnel to assist our front of house manager.
  14. ACT will provide each group with 2 hours of rehearsal time on stage before we open the festival. You may bring design elements/ props/ costumes and leave them at the theatre throughout the run of the show, however The Art Centre Theatre takes no responsibility to any damage theft or injury that occurs during your run or presence in our theatre.
  15. Your cast must have at least 3 but no more than 25 actors and can be made up of any age group or dynamic. Kids / adults / the aged /(please no pets).
  16. This is a professional Theatre we expect actors to be off book and well rehearsed by tech week. Should that not occur, we will pull the show with no financial obligation. However, all companies should be aware that they will be required to sign an “intent to perform” contract and should they pull from the show after said contract is signed they are liable for up to $10,000 of advertising monies used to promote them and their company in the show. So if you are not serious about this … then don’t sign up.

This exciting opportunity allows local playwrights of any age to submit their original works for consideration in this 10 day festival. We encourage local high schools, colleges, drama schools, magnet schools, churches, and any and all area writers of ANY age/ race / creed/ culture/ background/ sexual orientation / religion/ gender / political affiliation or credit status to send us their submissions. Submissions must be postmarked by January 5th, 2012 for consideration and should include:

Cast of Characters List

Synopsis

The Director’s name and contact information

A working email address

The script (numbered / bound or stapled / blocking notes)

A cast list or character list if you haven’t gotten that far yet.

A conceptual set design ( a rough drawing will do .. .you will not be loading in a set … however when we at the theatre are designing the elements of stage to be used for the festival we will try to take all your needs into consideration).

A conceptual costume design (a list of basic costume ideas will do)

Please mail to:

The Art Centre Theatre
ATTN: Melodrama Festival Submission Review Committee
5220 Village Creek Drive
Plano, Texas 75093

This is a preliminary submission and by no means guarantees you a spot in the festival. However, once your submission is received it will be reviewed and you may expect a response in 5 business days. Once accepted you will receive an informational packet outlining all the requirements of the festival and what we will expect from you and what you may expect from us. We are a family organization so write to your audience, however, there are no limitations or expectations regarding this festival. Having said this, your time placement in the festival will be directly decided by the subject matter of the genre.

 

By November 13, 2011

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