2017-18 Season Submission Guidelines About CoHo Productions and the CoHo theater For 21 years, CoHo Productions has pioneered artist led co-production as a model of creating theatre. Each season, CoHo solicits scripts and project proposals from Portland s community of theatre professionals and selects three to produce in partnership at CoHo Theatre in Northwest Portland. The artistic vision is democratic, reflecting the tastes of the Portland theatre community. Seasons are diverse and unpredictable; the sole quality nurtured and insisted on is excellence. Submissions are selected by CoHo's Artistic Council, consisting of esteemed members of Portland's theatre community and CoHo s Producing Artistic Director. CoHo was founded in 1995 by Gary Cole and Robert Holden. In 2001, CoHo opened the black box theater to great audience and critical acclaim. Located at 2257 NW Raleigh Street, just off the busy NW 23rd corridor in Portland's thriving Nob Hill/Slabtown neighborhood, the CoHo theater features a three-quarter thrust configuration with three rows of seating, providing an intimate theatrical experience for audiences. From world premieres to innovative interpretations, CoHo has an exceptional track record of excellence, garnering critical acclaim and more than 30 Drammy awards for our productions over a distinguished history. CoHo s main season shows run for four weeks, with performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Each production generally runs for 15 performances, with a preview performance on a Thursday, the opening performance on a Friday and the closing performance on a Saturday. Application Guidelines for Prospective Co-Producers September 26, 2016 November 30, 2016 Early February 2017 Early March 2017 Co-Producer's Open House Q&A at CoHo theater Submission deadline Interviews with co-producer finalists CoHo's 21st Season selected and announced The work at CoHo Productions is done on a co-production model. Co-Producers in the past have been actors, writers or directors. CoHo enters into an agreement with an individual (or several individuals or a group) to produce a particular script. Co-producers are active partners with CoHo: they organize an artistic and technical team, oversee the implementation of their designs, prepare a budget, and share responsibility for the details of the production.
Clarification on the Division of Labor Between CoHo and Co-Producers CoHo provides: Financing for the production, up to $12,500 Use of the 95-seat CoHo theater for performances and (limited) rehearsals. Marketing and media relations resources (hard-copy marketing collateral, i.e. posters, postcards; active website; email newsletter; press releases, etc.) Support from CoHo board members and staff Coordination with Co-Producer for production meetings, planning, etc. Curatorial oversight Co-producer provides: The vision for the production A high level of artistic leadership, commitment, and professionalism The personnel: auditions, hires and coordinates all technical, production and artistic staff and cast Continuous, clear, and timely communication with CoHo throughout the process A commitment to actively partner in the marketing process with CoHo's staff Application Guidelines for Prospective Co-Producers A One-Page Summary that gives the following information: Your name(s) as co-producer Your contact information including phone and email The name of your script, its author, and the date of its first production (if any) A concise plot summary of your script Production Narrative (approx. 1000 words) Provide a brief outline of the proposed production, and comment as to why this project is noteworthy, artistically exceptional, unique and especially timely or relevant. Discuss your vision for this production, name and tell us about your proposed artistic partners (i.e. actors, directors, designers, etc.). Please also provide a brief production history. Has this production/script been seen in Portland previously? If it is a new work, what sort of advanced readings or workshops has it enjoyed? If the play has been previously produced, we strongly encourage you to submit copies of reviews. A range of comments would be most helpful to us. Marketing Description (approx. 500 words) Identify the subjects, themes or people involved with your proposed production that are most compelling for local, regional or national media coverage. Describe ideas for social media content or campaigns. Specify any local connections to the production, community partners or special events.
Budget CoHo will provide $12,500 for each production. If your budget needs exceed this figure, please submit a fundraising plan as part of your overall proposal. Use the following template to create a budget for the production. Please provide numbers that are as close to exact as possible. Royalties - As CoHo Productions pays performers hourly wages, CoHo is now considered a professional theatre company by DPS and Samuel French standards. Please contact the relevant organization to request the estimated licensing fee. $2,250 Director $1,000-2,000 Equity Actor $2700 per actor Non-Equity Actors $1500 per actor Stage Manager $1500 Scenic Designer $500 1500 Lighting Designer $400 800 Costume design and construction $200-750 Sound designer $250-500 Technical Director/ Set Builder $250-1000 Master Electrician- $50-2 Set materials $200-1500 Props $25-500 Costume materials and maintenance $250-500 Sound materials $50-200 Lighting materials $50-500 Rehearsal Space $1,000 please see Attachment A for a thorough explanation of budgeting for these two categories Please note: the above numbers are estimates. They are not meant to be definitive. You should replace them with figures that are as exact as possible for your project, noting that chosen productions' budgets may need to be adjusted. A standard Equity Special Appearance contract for rehearsal/performance run for one actor is approximately $2700. The expenses listed above are only a portion of each shows budget. CoHo is responsible to accurately represent and oversee all other expenses. Co-Producer(s) Biography (approx. 500 words) Tell us why you are qualified to lead in a Co-Producer capacity, and why this might be important or meaningful to you at this particular time in your career. We are interested in knowing what level of commitment, professionalism and savvy you bring to the Co- Producer role with your proposed production. Also, detail any former producing experience you might have.
Statement of Rights Availability It is vital that you inquire into rights for your project before you submit it to us. Please contact the relevant organization and confirm the rights are available for your show. Please do not apply for the rights of the plays you are submitting to CoHo. Call to inquire, and list that in your application. CoHo will apply for the rights to the production before finalizing the season selections. The Script Manner of submission: We will only accept materials electronically. Please send as either a WORD document or.pdf file to submissions@cohoproductions.org. Email Subject Line: [Your First Initial.Last Name] [Play Title] by [Playwright s Full Name] Example: LTerrell.Hughie.EugeneONeill Attach the full script to this email as either a.pdf or.doc (or.docx) document. The script must include a title page with your name, email address, current residence address, and contact phone number. Script pages must be consecutively numbered. Please label your files in the following format: Script - [Your First Initial.Last Name].[PlayTitle].[Playwright slast Name]Script.doc or.pdf Example: LTerrell.Hughie.ONeillScript.pdf Submission - [Your First InitialLast Name].[PlayTitle].Sub.doc or.pdf Example: LTerrell.Hughie.Sub.doc Add'l Materials - [Your First Initial.Last Name].[PlayTitle].[clue to what doc contains] Example: LTerrell.Hughie.NYTimesReview.pdf We will confirm receipt for every script/application received; if you do not receive a confirmation email, resubmit and/or e-mail coho@cohoproductions.org for information on how to proceed. Please submit any questions about the competition to submissions@cohoproductions.org.
Important Considerations for Co-Producers: CoHo does not have a permanent rehearsal space or set construction shop. Rehearsals will be accommodated as often as possible in the CoHo theater, but you should plan on finding your own rehearsal space. Sets should be constructed prior to load-in. CoHo may rent out the theatre for other uses during the run of your show. To accommodate late night performances and day time activities. Be aware that after certain performances you will be required to remove props and any furniture not fixed to the floor. Our performance slots are generally October/November, January/February and May/June. If you know you or your key collaborators will be unavailable for a particular slot, let us know. CoHo has the ability to contract with Actors' Equity Association to hire Equity member actors under the Special Appearance Contract. The maximum number of Equity actors CoHo can accommodate under this contract per production is three (3). If more than three AEA actors are hired for any one production, an AEA stage manager must be hired. There is no profit-sharing for CoHo's full season shows, and co-producers will be required to sign a written agreement stating that all production revenues are for the benefit of CoHo. Frequently Asked Questions What kind of work has CoHo produced in the past? World premieres and new adaptations, usually featured in the winter slot as part of the Fertile Ground festival (db by Tommy Smith, The Yellow Wallpaper by Sue Mach) Works by Portland-area-based playwrights (Remme s Run by Wayne Harrell) Classic and canon plays ( night, Mother by Marsha Norman; Hamlet) Contemporary dramas (The Few by Samuel D. Hunter; Grounded by George Brant) Multi-disciplinary and genre-crossing new work (The Snowstorm by Many Hats Co) Please see our website for a full production history. What won't CoHo produce? One-act plays (unless the proposal is for an evening-length assortment of shorter works or a substantial play without an intermission that might include a special event) Unfinished or in-process scripts Can I submit more than one proposal? Yes. Submit as many as you like. However, you must complete a full application for each project submitted. Only one will be selected for production. Criteria for Proposal Selection Artistic merit of the proposal and the script Professional qualifications of applicant and related artistic partners Evidence of innovation, creativity and timeliness of proposed production Availability of script rights
Application Checklist Script Submission Document One page summary Production narrative Marketing description Budget Co-producer/partner bios Statement of rights availability Additional Materials (e.g. show reviews) Thank you for your interest in CoHo Productions, and we look forward to receiving your proposal.