DIRECT A PLAY
We choose our season each year based upon play submissions from prospective directors. Our Artistic Committee reviews these submissions each spring and brings a recommended slate of shows to the Cottage Theatre Board of Directors. The Board makes the final decision about the season according to the process and schedule detailed below.
THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR OUR 2020 SEASON HAS NOW PASSED.
The next cycle, for the 2021 season, will begin in February 2020.
THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR OUR 2020 SEASON HAS NOW PASSED.
The next cycle, for the 2021 season, will begin in February 2020.
Interested in submitting a play for consideration for Cottage Theatre's 2020 season?
Wonderful! Here’s what to do:
1. Read through the guidelines on this page.
2. Complete the Play/Musical Submission Form (click button at very bottom of this page to access the form).
3. Submit a copy of your proposed play(s) (and soundtrack or music if you’re submitting a musical):
• via email to artistic@cottagetheatre.org
• or drop off to Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove
PLEASE NOTE:
All documents must be in PDF format.
Music must be submitted either as mp3 files or as a link to MTI (or other licensing) website.
Examples of acceptable music submission formats:
Wonderful! Here’s what to do:
1. Read through the guidelines on this page.
2. Complete the Play/Musical Submission Form (click button at very bottom of this page to access the form).
3. Submit a copy of your proposed play(s) (and soundtrack or music if you’re submitting a musical):
• via email to artistic@cottagetheatre.org
• or drop off to Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove
PLEASE NOTE:
All documents must be in PDF format.
Music must be submitted either as mp3 files or as a link to MTI (or other licensing) website.
Examples of acceptable music submission formats:
|
Completed submission forms and scripts must be received no later than March 15, 2019 to be considered.
Brief outline of the 2020 Season Selection Process:
|
By March 15
April - May May 20 Early June Early June June 17 By July 1 Late August |
Potential directors submit play proposals by March 15 deadline
(Note: If we receive your submission by March 8 we will be glad to review for completeness and provide preliminary feedback.) Artistic Committee reviews director proposals and develops recommended slate of plays for 2020 Artistic Committee Chair presents report and recommendation to Board of Directors Board reviews and discusses proposed season If needed, Artistic Committee reconvenes to respond to Board questions or requests for revision Board finalizes and approves 2020 season (if no rights or other issues cause delay) Artistic Committee notifies directors (confidentially) of decision 2020 Season is publicly announced |
Selection Criteria:
Cottage Theatre strives to offer a balance of show genres, sizes, and casting requirements each year. Directors are encouraged to submit more than one play title for consideration to increase the chances that one of their selections might be considered for the season.
Please note that we are looking for full-length productions of 90 minutes or more. Our target cast size range is typically 4-40, ie. a minimum of 4 roles up to a maximum total cast of 40. If your play falls outside any of these parameters, please address this in your comments.
The following are among the factors that will be considered in evaluating 2020 submissions:
• Appeal of the play/musical to our audience (While this is always a factor, in 2020 it will be especially important as this will be the first season in our remodeled
facility, so we'll have 33% more seats to fill than we're used to.)
• The show’s technical requirements and CT’s ability to produce it
• Verifiable directing experience and/or previous participation at CT as a Stage Manager or Assistant Director
• The director’s “people skills”
• Whether the show is a good fit with the proposed timeslot
• Thoroughness/quality of director's proposal
• Please note that we usually don't repeat a play more frequently than once every ten years.
• Please also note that we are not interested in producing a Shakespeare play in 2020 (as we are doing one in 2019).
Timeslot Considerations:
Show #1: January 31 - February 16, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a strong play with cast size of approximately 6 - 20. Ideally a title with good name recognition or obvious marketability. (A few examples of this kind of play: Arsenic and Old Lace, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Twelve Angry Men.)
Show #2: April 3 - 26, 2020 (4 weekends)
Looking for a large, exciting musical that will fill four weekends. (A few examples of this kind of musical: The Sound of Music, Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia.)
Show #3: June 5 - 21, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a play or smaller musical with a more modest set due to shorter build time between shows #2 and #3. (A few examples of this kind of show: A Year With Frog & Toad, The Fantasticks, Moon Over Buffalo, The Crucible.)
Show #4: August 14 - 30, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a play or smaller musical. (A few examples of this kind of show: Treehouse, Steel Magnolias, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown).
Note that early rehearsals of this August 2020 show will share the stage with our summer youth production which runs July 17-19, so it may not be possible to fully complete or dress the set until after that July production has closed.
Show #5: October 2 - 25, 2020 (4 weekends)
Looking for a blockbuster musical that will fill four weekends. (A few examples of this kind of show: Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Wicked.)
Show #6: December 4 - 20, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a big name, family-friendly, holiday-appropriate play or musical. (A few examples of this kind of show: A Christmas Story; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Seussical.)
Feel free to contact Cottage Theatre via email or phone (541-942-8001) if you have any questions. Thanks very much for your interest in directing a show!
Cottage Theatre strives to offer a balance of show genres, sizes, and casting requirements each year. Directors are encouraged to submit more than one play title for consideration to increase the chances that one of their selections might be considered for the season.
Please note that we are looking for full-length productions of 90 minutes or more. Our target cast size range is typically 4-40, ie. a minimum of 4 roles up to a maximum total cast of 40. If your play falls outside any of these parameters, please address this in your comments.
The following are among the factors that will be considered in evaluating 2020 submissions:
• Appeal of the play/musical to our audience (While this is always a factor, in 2020 it will be especially important as this will be the first season in our remodeled
facility, so we'll have 33% more seats to fill than we're used to.)
• The show’s technical requirements and CT’s ability to produce it
• Verifiable directing experience and/or previous participation at CT as a Stage Manager or Assistant Director
• The director’s “people skills”
• Whether the show is a good fit with the proposed timeslot
• Thoroughness/quality of director's proposal
• Please note that we usually don't repeat a play more frequently than once every ten years.
• Please also note that we are not interested in producing a Shakespeare play in 2020 (as we are doing one in 2019).
Timeslot Considerations:
Show #1: January 31 - February 16, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a strong play with cast size of approximately 6 - 20. Ideally a title with good name recognition or obvious marketability. (A few examples of this kind of play: Arsenic and Old Lace, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Twelve Angry Men.)
Show #2: April 3 - 26, 2020 (4 weekends)
Looking for a large, exciting musical that will fill four weekends. (A few examples of this kind of musical: The Sound of Music, Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia.)
Show #3: June 5 - 21, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a play or smaller musical with a more modest set due to shorter build time between shows #2 and #3. (A few examples of this kind of show: A Year With Frog & Toad, The Fantasticks, Moon Over Buffalo, The Crucible.)
Show #4: August 14 - 30, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a play or smaller musical. (A few examples of this kind of show: Treehouse, Steel Magnolias, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown).
Note that early rehearsals of this August 2020 show will share the stage with our summer youth production which runs July 17-19, so it may not be possible to fully complete or dress the set until after that July production has closed.
Show #5: October 2 - 25, 2020 (4 weekends)
Looking for a blockbuster musical that will fill four weekends. (A few examples of this kind of show: Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Wicked.)
Show #6: December 4 - 20, 2020 (3 weekends)
Looking for a big name, family-friendly, holiday-appropriate play or musical. (A few examples of this kind of show: A Christmas Story; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Seussical.)
Feel free to contact Cottage Theatre via email or phone (541-942-8001) if you have any questions. Thanks very much for your interest in directing a show!