TCG Bulletin
February 2010, Volume 33, Issue 2
Editor:
Christopher Shuff
Associate Editor:
Claire Mazur
Contributors:
Laurie Baskin
Sarah McLellan
Alissa Moore
Jason Tseng
Also online this month:
FIELD LETTER
For the February Field Letter, Teresa asked Angel Ysaguirre, TCG board member and director of global community investing at the Boeing Company to write about why theatre remains relevant and important in today’s world. Angel offers a thoughtful and heartfelt answer which draws on both personal and professional experiences. He begins, “My response typically includes three reasons: the arts comprise a natural breeding ground for innovation; the arts provide a civic service; and the beauty from art serves as a respite from an increasingly overcrowded life.”
Monthly Mental Health Moment
Our government programs department is constantly working on a host of important advocacy issues from White Space to Visa processing. While these are major issues that seriously affect our members and constituents, it’s not that often that they make it onto popular television shows. However, the recent Colorado smoking ban—which does not include an exemption for smoking in theatrical performances —has riled up a lot of people, including Whoopi Goldberg. The actor and comedian, who got her start on Broadway, took the time to rant about the ban on her daytime talk show, The View. Keep an eye on this court case—member theatre Curious Theatre Company is taking it all the way the United States Supreme Court, with TCG’s full support behind them.
Smoking Ban from Theatre Communications Group on Vimeo.
Staff Picks
 |
 |
| Martha Neighbors, Director of External Relations | Eliza Bent, Associate Editor, American Theatre |
| My “staff pick” is definitely the annual TCG Theatre Practitioner Award. In the midst of all the insanity that accompanies the National Conference, stopping for a moment to acknowledge the amazing contributions to the field by brilliant, innovative, passionate and talented people always makes my heart stop. The roster of recipients is breathtaking: Peter Culman, Gilberto Zaldivar and Rene Buch, Woodie King Jr., Elizabeth LeCompte, Luis Valdez, Maria Irene Fornes, Ming Cho Lee, Ellen Stewart, Zelda Fichandler and Lloyd Richards. Wow. Last year, Peter choked up while delivering an incredibly moving and eloquent speech about what it meant to him to be recognized by his peers in this way. The added poignancy of being in his hometown of Baltimore meant that many of his CENTERSTAGE colleagues and friends could be there too. It was a wonderful moment. When Luis Valdez received his award, his wife was backstage with tears in her eyes and they shared a long embrace when he came offstage after saying it was really her award too for the work they’d done together over so many years. He sent TCG a beautiful heartfelt letter afterwards. I can’t wait to find out who the field nominates this year and I look forward to more tears (happy ones!) in Chicago. Visit the Conference section of the website to nominate an individual for the TCG Theatre Practitioner Award as well as other TCG awards. | The diamond in the rough of TCG’s website
is without doubt Theatre
Profiles. This handy dandy hidden gem of a tool allows
anyone, anywhere, at any time to look up a TCG member theatre’s
season—provided someone at that theatre has accurately
entered it online. Curious to know how many productions of Waiting
for Lefty are happening at TCG theatres this season? Search
by play title or by playwright (Just one Lefty at Montana
Repertory Theatre). Theatre Profiles is a marvelous research
means for anyone with an interest in what TCG regional theatres
have programmed. |
TCG NEWS
Snapshot Survey: Taking Your Fiscal Pulse-January 2010
We are pleased to launch our latest snapshot survey, once again in collaboration with the Association of Performing Arts Service Organizations (APASO). Whereas the annual Fiscal Survey provides a comprehensive look at the field over a period of time, this short survey captures the state of the field right now. This survey will not require you to crunch any numbers and should only take 5-10 minutes of your time. TCG member theatres were sent the survey prior to everyone else; while you may also receive it from another service organization, please only fill it out once. We look forward to hearing how you are doing!
Action: The deadline is February 12. Emails with links to the survey were sent out to managing directors of member theatres in mid-January. Visit the Snapshot Surveys section of our website for reports from our prior Taking Your Fiscal Pulse surveys. Contact Ilana Rose with questions.
Back to TopFiscal Survey 2009
UPDATED! This story was originally published in the November 2009 issue of the Bulletin.TCG member theatres are strongly encouraged to participate in this comprehensive annual survey, which serves as the basis for Theatre Facts, TCG's in-depth report on the field's attendance, performance and fiscal health. Only participating theatres will have online access to the full survey results.
Action: The deadline for Fiscal Survey 2009 has been extended to January 29. Email Ilana Rose with questions.
Back to Top
Nonprofit Finance Fund Workshop, Programmatic Modeling for Artistic and Financial Strength
This free half-day workshop at the Desmond Tutu Center in New York City is open only to TCG member theatres—limit two participants per theatre. It is designed for executive directors and other senior staff and will engage participants in a discussion about how to incorporate financial goals into planning for a vibrant and viable future. Using real-life case studies, NFF will offer interactive exercises to help staff develop financial plans that consider current financial dynamics, underlying business models and the full cost of providing healthy artistic programming. This practical symposium offers not-for-profit leaders the insight, tools and guidance they need to better understand the revenue and expense drivers of their annual operating results. The workshop runs from 12:30pm to 4:00pm and lunch will be provided.
Action: The registration deadline is February 12. Visit the NFF Professional Development section of the website for more information and to register. Registration is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Back to TopTCG Brain Bank: Where Knowledge Earns Interest Re-Launches for 2010!
The Brain Bank is a peer network of theatre professionals volunteering their time and expertise to offer guidance and support to their colleagues. The eligibility requirements for participation in the Brain Bank have been expanded to include senior level staff members at TCG member theatres, in addition to executive leaders at TCG member theatres.
Action: Visit the Brain Bank section of the website to register as a Knowledge Donor or a Peer today. Please remember that you must be executive or senior leadership at a TCG member theatre to register.
Back to TopSave the Date, June 14-16: TCG/American Express Foundation Leadership Boot Camp, Pre-Conference to TCG National Conference
The Leadership Boot Camp will offer a professional development workshop bringing together pairs of established and emerging leaders from 20 theatres. We will foster intergenerational dialogue and explore effective methods of communication, leadership and strategic thinking with an emphasis on nurturing emerging leaders. Pairs of emerging and established leaders must be from the same theatre and will file a joint application. The cost of transportation, lodging and program participation will be fully covered for all participants.
Action: Mark your calendars for June 14-16. Application guidelines and materials will be released in February.
Back to TopTCG National Conference 2010-Pre-Conference on Arts Education
This story was originally published in the December 2009 issue of the Bulletin.TCG will focus on arts education and assessment at a pre-conference to the June 2010 TCG National Conference. We will follow up on the Building a National TEAM: Theatre Education Assessment Models pre-conference from 2007. Education directors will be trained in adapting the national models for use in their education programs as well as aligning the evaluation and assessment work with federal and state standards.
Action: Save the dates June 16-17 and stay tuned for more information!
Back to Top
2010 TCG National Conference: Ideas into Action, June 17-19 in Chicago at the Palmer House!
This story
was originally published in the January
2010 issue of the Bulletin.
Join us in Chicago for TCG’s 20th National Conference! Last
year, we examined the landscape within which we now work. This year
we will dig even deeper, roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty.
In addition to providing ample opportunities to talk about “nuts
and bolts” issues in your work, we'll focus on four main programming
threads: artists and artistry, arts education and training, race
and gender and the creative ecology. The 2010 TCG National Conference,
Ideas into Action, is your opportunity to explore bold
new solutions, cultivate a community that strengthens and nourishes
your work and hear from theatres, artists and other thought leaders
who will inspire strategic thinking that leads to action.
Action: Registration is now open! Visit the Conference section of the website for more information and to register. Visit the Lodging page to reserve your rooms at The Palmer House Hilton, the conference location.
Back to TopIdeas Into Action: Call for Conference Session Proposals
This story was originally published in the January 2010 issue of the Bulletin.Want to share your experience and expertise? We are calling all practitioners, developers and innovators across the field to submit proposals sharing their knowledge and experiences through presentations and discussion focused on our conference theme. This year’s Conference, Ideas into Action, will follow four main tracks: artists and artistry, arts education and training, race and gender and the creative ecology. We also encourage proposals focused on the day-to-day challenges faced by our members.
Action: The submission deadline is February 12. Visit the Conference section of the site for proposal guidelines and materials.
Back to TopTCG Award Nominations!
This story was originally published in the January 2010 issue of the Bulletin.The annual TCG Awards are a vital part of acknowledging unyielding commitment and artistic contributions to the theatre field. Since 2001, the TCG Awards have saluted extraordinary dedication to the United States theatre community. These honors will be presented again at the 2010 TCG National Conference in Chicago. TCG strives to cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the theatre field and promote a larger public understanding of and appreciation for the theatre. It is up to the TCG community to call our attention to artists and funders who are shaping the theatre field and leading it into the future. Each TCG member theatre is urged to nominate one honoree in each award category.
Action: The nomination deadline has been extended to January 29. Visit the Conference section of the site for nomination guidelines and materials.
Back to TopStephen Sondheim and Peter Brook from TCG Books
TCG has published Road Show, Stephen Sondheim’s first new musical in over a decade, with book by John Weidman—the same team that brought us Pacific Overtures and Assassins. Winner of the 2009 OBIE Award for music and lyrics, the entrepreneurial odyssey follows the real-life Mizner brothers, from the 1890s Alaska gold rush to the 1920s Florida land boom. Also new from TCG Books is Conversations with Peter Brook, Margaret Croyden’s chronicle of the renowned director’s thoughts and work from 1970 to 2000.
Action: Visit the TCG Bookstore to purchase these titles and others.
Back to TopNew Generations: Future Collaborations Travel Grants
Theatres and individual theatre professionals may apply for these geographically unrestricted travel grants of up to $6,000 to facilitate international collaboration by way of hosting or traveling abroad.
Action: The deadline is February 22. Visit the Grants section of the website for application materials and guidelines.
ADVOCACY NEWS FROM THE PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE AND TCG
White Space Update! FCC Issues Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
UDPATED!
This story was originally published in the August
2009 issue of the Bulletin.
On January 15, the FCC approved and adopted an Order and a Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking that will affect the use of wireless microphones
in the performing arts. The Order will take effect upon publication
in the Federal Register—almost immediately.
The FCC Order carries several immediate implications:
- Necessity to comply with 700 MHz transition date, June 12, or earlier if requested by a public safety or 700 MHz commercial licensee
- Immediate shut-down of 700 MHz microphones upon notice of interference from a public safety or 700 MHz licensee
- Assess inventory of 700 MHz equipment for replacement
- Once the Order is published in the Federal Register, all wireless microphones will be legal, under Part 15, for the first time ever. Unlicensed users must comply with interim operating conditions. These are the Conditions for Part 15 Interim Use:
- May not operate at powers exceeding 50mW
- May not cause harmful interference (must accept interference)
- Must comply with technical rules
- Must use devices certified under Part 74
Further, the Order includes a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that expresses interest in expanding eligibility for Part 74 licenses and requests comments with regard to defining parameters for eligibility. Expansion in eligibility for licensing will also allow for interference protections and continues to be our core request to the FCC. TCG believes this will best serve the field as the FCC pursues reallocation of the broadcast spectrum. TCG is working closely with the Coalition of Wireless Microphone Users and the Performing Arts Alliance to draft Comments to submit to the FCC.
Action: Please help us spread the word about the June 12 vacate deadline to any persons or organizations that use wireless microphones and alert production managers, technical directors and sound engineers to these changes. This table, found on the FCC website, should help in determining whether the wireless microphones your organization uses operate within the 700 MHz band and will need to be replaced or retuned. TCG may need to quickly gather information from the field to help in our ongoing advocacy efforts on this issue, so if you receive an Alert, please respond! If you have comments or questions, please contact Laurie Baskin.
Back to TopColorado Smoking Ban Update
UPDATED!
This story was originally published in the January
2010 issue of the Bulletin.
Denver’s Curious Theatre Company plans to appeal the Colorado
Supreme Court decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. TCG will continue
to support the case by filing Amicus Briefs, as needed, and generously
contributed by Bruce E.H. Johnson, trustee of Seattle Repertory
Theatre and member of TCG’s National Council for the American
Theatre.
Action: Please stay tuned and if your locality or state has a smoking ban with an exemption for theatrical smoking, please send a copy of the law or regulations to Laurie Baskin.
Back to Top2010 National Arts Advocacy Day, April 12-13
UPDATED!
This story was originally published in the December
2009 issue of the Bulletin.
The dates for the 2010 Arts Advocacy Day have been announced—April
12-13. The 23rd annual Arts Advocacy Day is the only national event
that brings together a broad cross-section of America’s cultural
and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots advocates
from across the country, to underscore the importance of developing
strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding
for the arts and letting congressional leaders know that the arts
are an economic engine for development.
Action: Visit the Americans for the Arts website to register. Email Laurie Baskin at TCG so your visit can be coordinated with other theatre advocates. This year TCG would like to organize a special networking reception on Sunday evening, April 11, if enough of our members register and participate in Arts Advocacy Day.
Back to TopFTM ARTS LAW Chosen by Arts Presenters as the 2010 Recipient of the Sidney R. Yates Advocacy Award
FTM ARTS LAW, a division of Fettmann, Tolchin & Majors, PC, was chosen by Arts Presenters as the 2010 recipient of the Sidney R. Yates Advocacy Award for outstanding advocacy on behalf of the performing arts. FTM ARTS LAW was selected for the award in recognition of its successful advocacy efforts to improve the process by which foreign artists and performers obtain visas and work authorization to enter the United States; its acclaimed workshops and seminars proving basic legal knowledge and business skills to artists and arts professionals; and the fundamental impact of its work on the arts industry.
Action: Visit the FTM ARTS LAW website for more information.
ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
Harry Ransom Center 2010-2011 Research Fellowships
Fifty fellowships will be awarded to support scholarly research projects in all areas of the humanities, including literature, photography, film, art, the performing arts, music and cultural history. Applicants must demonstrate the necessity of substantial on-site use of the Center’s collections.
Action: The deadline is February 1. Visit the Harry Ransom Center website for application guidelines and materials.
Back to Top2010 Festival of New Musicals Accepting Submissions
Held every fall over two days in New York City, the Festival showcases a select group of new musicals before a select audience of NAMT members and industry professionals, with the experience and resources to move the work forward.
Action: The deadline for Non-NAMT Member Professional Theatre Organizations and Theatrical Agents is Febraury 4. The deadline for NAMT Member Theatres and Festival Alumni Writers is February 18. Visit the NAMT website for application guidelines and materials.
Back to Top2010 Primus Prize Accepting Submissions
Historically this award has been given to an outstanding female playwright, but the committee may also consider directors or artistic directors. Playwrights must have had a fully staged, professional production of her script within 2009. For other artists, there must also have been some significant achievement in the calendar year. In both cases, the committee will consider a body of work going back several years.
Action: The deadline is February 28. For application guidelines and materials contact Christopher Rawson, ATCA Chair or Barbara Bannon, Primus Prize Committee Chair.
Back to TopWatermill Center Summer Program 2010
This program focuses on new projects being developed in all areas of the arts by artistic director Robert Wilson. Emerging artists from all over the world are provided with the opportunity to learn from established professionals in a laboratory environment.
Action: The deadline is March 8. Visit the Watermill Center website for application guidelines and materials.
Back to Top2010 Amy & Eric Burger Essays on Theatre Competition
The College of Arts and Sciences at University of Wyoming is offering a $2,500 prize for the best unpublished 1,800-7,500 word essay written in English on any aspect of drama or the theatre.
Action: The deadline is March
10 for postmark and March 15 for receipt. Send two copies
of the essay (do not identify author on essay), along with a cover
letter with the title of the essay and the author’s name,
address, phone number and email address to: National Amy & Eric
Burger Essay Competition, University of Wyoming, c/o Dr. Jim Volz,
President, Consultants for the Arts, Theatre & Dance, PO Box
6850, Fullerton, CA 92834-6850
About Face Theatre 2010 XYZ Festival of New Works Accepting Submissions
This festival seeks scripts that challenge expectations and ideas about gender and sexuality in historical or contemporary context and that break traditional ideas about dramatic form, structure and presentation. Full length scripts at any stage of development, as well as new works that have not seen full production (readings and workshops okay) will be considered. Plays selected for the festival will be given seated or staged readings with the support of professional directors and actors in the fall of 2010.
Action: The deadline is March 15. Visit the About Face Theatre website for application guidelines and materials.
Back to Top18th Annual Nationwide Blank Theatre Company Young Playwrights Festival Accepting Submissions
Submissions will be accepted from playwrights 19 years of age and younger. Winning plays will be presented in four performances by professional actors and directors from June 3-27 at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, CA.
Action: The deadline is March
15. Visit the Young
Playwrights website for application guidelines and materials.
2010 Princess Grace Awards in Theatre and Playwriting
Theatre Awards take the form of scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships. Grants are awarded based on the quality of the emerging artist's past work, his/her potential for future excellence and the impact the collaboration between the nominating organization and the artist will have on the individual's artistic growth. The Playwriting Award includes a residency at New Dramatists, Inc. and opportunity for the winning play to be licensed and published by Samuel French, Inc.
Action: The deadline is March 31. Visit the Princess Grace Foundation website for application guidelines and materials.
ARTS EDUCATION
TCG National Conference 2010 - Pre-Conference on Arts Education
Action: See story in Current TCG News section.
Back to TopU.S. Department of Education Announces FY 2010 Application Opportunity: Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Program
The Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination (AEMDD) program supports the enhancement, expansion, documentation, evaluation and dissemination of innovative, cohesive models that are based on research and have demonstrated that they effectively (1) Integrate standards-based arts education into the core elementary and middle school curriculum; (2) strengthen standards-based arts instruction in these grades; and (3) improve students’ academic performance, including their skills in creating, performing and responding to the arts.
Action: The deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply is February 16 and the application deadline is March 16. Visit the Department of Education website for application guidelines and materials.
Back to TopChanging Education Through the Arts Conference, Kennedy Center, Washington DC, April 7-10
This conference shares a decade of the Kennedy Center's experience in 20 Washington, DC-area schools aimed at building a school-wide philosophy for and practice of arts integration. The program, Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA), is a school reform effort realized through ongoing, in-depth professional learning for teachers.
Action: Visit the Kennedy Center website for more information.
Back to TopCall for Papers: ATHE's Performance Studies Emerging Scholars Panel, Los Angeles, CA, August 3-6
Performance Studies locates itself at the boundaries and intersections of scholarly and artistic practice. In moments of global crisis and catastrophe, what strategies can the field of Performance Studies deploy to ensure its own survival and the survival of performance in general? How do performance-based innovations provoke new approaches to the circulation and exchange of information in our increasingly mediatized world? How do the tensions between media and performance contribute meaningfully to contemporary dialogues surrounding human survival in the twenty-first century? What can a focus on media and survival reveal about disciplinary and aesthetic habits? What does such a focus risk obscuring or leaving out? Submissions to the PSFG Emerging Scholars' panel might engage these disciplinary questions, or a range of others around the conference theme.
Action: The deadline is February 13. Visit the ATHE website for more information or email Joseph Cermatori.
Back to TopNew Arts Education Book by James Catterall
James S. Catterall, professor of education, UCLA, recently published Doing Well and Doing Good by Doing Art: A 12-Year National Study of Education in the visual and performing arts.
Action: Visit the UCLA website for more information (PDF).
CONFERENCES & SEMINARS
Call for Proposals: Performing the World 2010: Can Performance Change the World?, New York City, September 30-October 3
Performance activists and scholars are asked to reflect on and address the political aspects of their performance work. Social change activists are also invited to reflect on and address the performance aspects of their political activities. Proposals can take the form of panels, workshops, performances, demonstrations, installations, etc. that address the theme's question.
Action: The deadline is March 1. Visit the Performing the World website for more information.
DEVELOPMENT
Utah Shakespearean Festival Receives $3 Million Grant
The Utah Shakespearean Festival, in Cedar City, UT received a $3 million grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation for the building of a new theatre.
MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
The Fine Arts Fund Publishes The Arts Ripple Effect: A Research-Based Strategy to Build Shared Responsibility for the Arts
This study provides research-based strategies to build public support for the arts using the approach that “a thriving arts sector creates ‘ripple effects’ of benefits throughout our community.”
Action: Visit the Fine Arts Fund website to download the full report.
Back to TopImportant Changes to Metrics for Not-for-Profit Evaluations
Guidestar, Charity Navigator, Philanthropedia and GiveWell recently announced plans to phase out the use of overhead expense ratios in not-for-profit evaluation. Ken Berger, CEO of of Charity Navigator, proposed the following dimensions to evaluate the effectiveness of a not-for-profit: financial health, accountability and outcomes. Instead of using a ratio of programmatic costs to administrative and fundraising costs, Charity Navigator will embed all three dimensions into their weighted star system.
Action: For more information visit the Idealware blog and the Charity Navigator blog.
Back to TopBCA Ten: Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America Invites Nominations
This award recognizes businesses for their exceptional involvement with the arts that enrich the workplace, education and the community. Companies of all sizes that support the arts in the United States are eligible.
Action: The deadline is February 26. Visit the Americans for the Arts website for nomination guidelines and materials.
Back to TopCaring Institute Invites Nominations for Caring Awards
The Caring Institute honors and promotes the values of caring, integrity and public services. Nominees should exemplify caring and serve as worthy role models for others.
Action: The deadline is March 1. Visit the Caring Institute website for nomination guidelines and materials.
RESOURCES
Outrageous Fortune, the Life and Times of the New American Play Now Available from TDF
This new study by former TCG board member Todd London and Ben Pesner represents the most comprehensive field study in the history of the not-for-profit theatre to analyze new play production practices and the economics and culture of playwriting in the United States.
Action: Visit the TDF website to read more about and purchase Outrageous Fortune.
Back to TopTwo New Online Courses from Fractured Atlas
Fractured Atlas is offering two new courses through Fractured U.: Social Media Marketing for Arts Professionals, and Working with Performing Arts Agents.
Action: Visit the Fractured Atlas website to learn more about these courses and register.
Back to TopNEA Webcasts Now Archived Online
The webcasts of the Cultural Workforce Forum, as well as the conversation and review of the 2008 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts are now both archived and available online.
Action: Visit the NEA website to view the webcasts.
NEW TCG MEMBERS
Brevard College
Theatre Studies Dept
1 Brevard College Dr
Brevard, NC 28712
tel (828) 966-5500
Kelly Carolyn Gordon, Coordinator of Theatre Studies
gordonkc@brevard.edu
www.brevard.edu
TCG DEADLINES
| January 29: | Deadline to submit nominations
for TCG
Awards Deadline to submit Fiscal Survey 2009 |
| February 1: | (noon EST) ARTSEARCH deadline for February 1 issue |
| February 8: | Reservations deadline for the April issue of American Theatre |
| February 12: | Deadline to submit National
Conference session proposals Deadline to submit Snapshot Survey: Taking Your Fiscal Pulse-January 2010 |
| February 15: | (noon EST) ARTSEARCH deadline for February 15 issue |
| February 19: | Ad materials deadline for the April issue of American Theatre |
| February 22: | New Generations/Future Collaborations Travel Grants application deadline |
Looking for a list of TCG Staff?
Copyright 2010 Theatre Communications Group, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Information appearing in the TCG Bulletin may not be reprinted
without permission.