Perform! To become a Performer read the information below.
APPLICTION FORMS: The new application be available for download in Septmber 2008
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION Submissions are encouraged throughout the year. Those received before February 1 will be considered for the following July's Festival. (i.e., Deadline for Fresh Fruit 2009 is February 15, 2009).
All Out Arts 145 East 27th Street, 1A New York, NY 10016.
(Limited number of "scholarships" available on a case by case basis.) Submission Deadline: February 15 Acceptance Notification: March 15 (via e-mail) Schedule Complete: April 15 Festival Dates: 2 weeks in July
FAQ: What if my work is accepted? Upon acceptance you will be sent a packet containing an information sheet and contract. This must be returned within two weeks, along with your Performance Security Deposit reserving your place in the Festival. The Security Deposit of $50 per scheduled performance is fully refundable after the Festival and fulfillment of the performance contract. If the deposit presents a special problem, please notify Fresh Fruit.
What is the Performance Schedule and when is it set? Mainstage productions (full length works) will be scheduled for at least 4 performances; and solo or shorter works for a minimum of two performances. The shorter shows will get one or two performances depending upon the work and the performer's following. The actual Festival schedule will be fixed by early May, with performances the middle two weeks of July. The actual Festival schedule will be fixed by mid-May, with performances two weeks of July. What does Fresh Fruit provide to participating artists? Performance space & Limited rehearsal time Basic lighting (general repertory plot) Basic sound system Technical Director & Technician for sound and lighting Festival Stage Manager Theater Management, Box Office Staff & Online Ticketing Festival Programs Festival publicity materials Website: www.FreshFruitFestival.com for publicity and online publication Networking parties (free to performers) Marketing and Advertising We will support your application for any funding or scholarships available to you. We will support your application for any funding or scholarships available to you.
What does Fresh Fruit expect of you? You donate your talent to the Fresh Fruit adventure. You will also supply anything you need to make your show notable. That includes musicians, set, director, actors, sound design & lighting cues, special machinery, video or other equipment. In short, you put up the show the way you envision it. We do not ask for any control over your copyright- only that we are mentioned in any program where the work we have presented is shown.
Is there any remuneration for my expenses?
Thanks to this year’s donations and grants, as well as our huge success over the past five years, we are able for the first time to offer some assistance to the producing companies. Each accepted presentation will be offered a token payment from the festival. The exact amount will be based on festival expenses and size of the house. Our plays are usually done in houses that have from 70-99 seats. The production company will also get a percentage of paid admissions. Ticket prices range from $15 -$20 depending on the show itself and any contracts (such as equity restrictions) involved. You may choose from two possible plans depending on your audience base:
Plan A: After 25% of the house is sold, the producing company receives 25% of the gate for each performance.
Plan B: After 50% of the house is sold, the producing company receives 50% of the gate for each performance.
Is there any limit set on my creativity?
A festival is not a good setting for a large technical production. You will share a single repertory lighting plot, plus some specials for your show as arranged in conference with our Technical Director. Of course, you can bring in your own lighting special, your own lighting technician, or other equipment if you are determined to have some special effects but the Technical Director will determine how much of that is possible in the space so the best advice is keep technical demands simple. Since your show will most likely be preceded or followed by another show in the same space you will not be able to dominate the lighting plot set up by the festival. Also, technical rehearsal time is limited - so complicated lighting cues, and other technical aspects of your show will work best if they are simple. It is a good idea to consult the technical director once you receive contact information. The spaces rented for the festival often have limited storage space and because you must take your set off and on quickly to accommodate another show it is best to limit you set pieces to a design which can be removed from the stage and stored completely in 20 minutes. Often two plays on the same bill can utilize some of the same set pieces. Another limitation is the length of your show. Short, one person performance pieces, film, video, one act-plays submitted should be no longer than 60 minutes in performance; longer pieces are limited to 120 minutes in performance. If your script is accepted there may be no major changes made to it in terms of subject, plot or length. Work selected may not be done in the Tri-state area May, June, July, August.
What are the Benefits of Submitting work to the Festival? Fresh Fruit is intended not only to be a celebration of LGBT culture, but also a continuing source of support for LGBT artists. By submitting or presenting work at the Fresh Fruit Festival you become a “Fruitie", and enter a community of supportive artists and patrons. We offer a membership only listserv to help us follow your career and keep posted about your progress. Each year the work considered most exciting by the audiences is awarded festival awards (Fruits of Distinction). Often, presenting artists are asked to curate festival shows or come back as an invited performer. Also, Fresh Fruit offers exposure and sometimes work opportunities through the network created by the festival.
What if my work is not accepted? First and foremost, just by submitting work your are a "Fruitie", joining a supportive community of artists with unlimited access to our website, discussion group, our newsletter "Fruit Dish," and courtesy admission to all Festival performances as well as discounted admissions to all Fresh Fruit Events. By submitting work you also become eligible to attend our Artist's Retreat in Eastport, Maine. In addition, we maintain a waiting list of worthy artists whose work, for reasons of time or funding, we were not able to accept at first. If there are cancellations or changes in schedule that will accommodate your work, we will contact you immediately. And, you can still participate in the Festival by attending Open Mikes -- presenting an excerpt of your work of up to 8 minutes.
