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.
Interested in submitting a play for consideration for Cottage Theatre's 2021 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, 2020 to be considered.
Brief outline of the 2021 Season Selection Process:
|
By March 15
April - May May 18 Early June Early June June 15 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 2021 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 2021 season (if no rights or other issues cause delay) Artistic Committee notifies directors (confidentially) of decision 2021 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 2021 submissions:
• Appeal of the play/musical to our audience (While this is always a factor, in 2021 it will be especially important as we are planning another reduced four-show season in order to complete work on our ACT III Remodeling Project in fall 2021.)
• 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.
Timeslot Considerations:
Show #1 January 29 – February 14, 2021 (3 weekends)
Strong play with cast size of approximately 6 – 20.
Ideally a title with good name recognition (or obvious marketability). Either comedy or drama. (A few examples of this kind of play: Arsenic and Old Lace, The Importance of Being Earnest, Twelve Angry Men.) Please note that the final performance is on Valentine’s Day.
Show #2 April 2 – 25, 2021 (4 weekends)
Large, well-known 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 4 - 20, 2021 (3 weekends)
Strong play with cast size of approximately 6 – 20.
Ideally a title with good name recognition (or obvious marketability). Either comedy or drama. (A few examples of this kind of play: Moon Over Buffalo, The Crucible,Twelve Angry Men.)
Show #4 August 6 - 29, 2021 (4 weekends)
Well-known musical with modest set requirements
While we normally schedule only a 3-weekend run in August, we’d like to include a second 4-weekend run in the 2021 season for budgetary reasons. (We will again be planning a reduced season in order to complete work on our ACT III Remodeling Project beginning in September 2021. Because of the youth production scheduled for July 16-18, 2021, there will be a smaller set build window than normal, so a modest set is essential. (A few examples of this kind of musical: A Chorus Line, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Fantasticks.)
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 2021 submissions:
• Appeal of the play/musical to our audience (While this is always a factor, in 2021 it will be especially important as we are planning another reduced four-show season in order to complete work on our ACT III Remodeling Project in fall 2021.)
• 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.
Timeslot Considerations:
Show #1 January 29 – February 14, 2021 (3 weekends)
Strong play with cast size of approximately 6 – 20.
Ideally a title with good name recognition (or obvious marketability). Either comedy or drama. (A few examples of this kind of play: Arsenic and Old Lace, The Importance of Being Earnest, Twelve Angry Men.) Please note that the final performance is on Valentine’s Day.
Show #2 April 2 – 25, 2021 (4 weekends)
Large, well-known 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 4 - 20, 2021 (3 weekends)
Strong play with cast size of approximately 6 – 20.
Ideally a title with good name recognition (or obvious marketability). Either comedy or drama. (A few examples of this kind of play: Moon Over Buffalo, The Crucible,Twelve Angry Men.)
Show #4 August 6 - 29, 2021 (4 weekends)
Well-known musical with modest set requirements
While we normally schedule only a 3-weekend run in August, we’d like to include a second 4-weekend run in the 2021 season for budgetary reasons. (We will again be planning a reduced season in order to complete work on our ACT III Remodeling Project beginning in September 2021. Because of the youth production scheduled for July 16-18, 2021, there will be a smaller set build window than normal, so a modest set is essential. (A few examples of this kind of musical: A Chorus Line, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Fantasticks.)
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!