SDC Foundation is now accepting submissions for the next GUEST ARTIST INITIATIVE OPPORTUNITY: Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY
The Department of Theatre Arts at Ithaca College is seeking a Director or Director/ Choreographer through SDCF’s Guest Artist Initiative Program to direct and/or choreograph a Fall Play or Musical to be chosen by the faculty in consultation with the Guest Artist for their Fall 2015 season.
The Guest Artist is expected to be present for all auditions and callbacks, design meetings, production meetings, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, previews, and the opening night performance, and will work closely with student designers (under faculty supervision). The Guest Artist may be invited to teach a course or a series of Master Classes and Workshops during the design/rehearsal period (and possibly beyond to incorporate full-semester dates) to broaden the contact beyond those students working on the production. The subject matter of the course or workshop series will be determined by the Chair and the faculty, depending on the Guest Artist’s specialty and the needs of the department.
The SDC Member working as Guest Artist will be part of a fully-supported production with a complete staff including faculty, professional staff and undergraduates. Undergraduate students holding production positions will be under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor, and the Guest Artist will have easy and frequent access to the faculty supervisors. Ithaca College believes that a professional Guest Artist raises the caliber of everyone’s work and helps students navigate the transition between educational theatre and the professional theater world.
The Department of Theatre Arts at Ithaca College selects productions based on the pedagogical needs and goals of all areas. Production titles will not be decided until late January 2015. As faculty members across all disciplines maintain active involvement in all aspects of our students’ training, the Guest Artist should be open to collaborating formally and informally with students and faculty during all phases of the production process.
Access to all campus facilities and events, including use of the gym, library, wifi and inclusion in all departmental activities will be provided. A furnished apartment will also be provided, either within walking distance of the campus or in the town of Ithaca. Local transportation is free of charge with a College ID. No car will be provided. One round-trip airfare (or bus, train, or mileage reimbursement) will be provided within the duration of the residency. Ithaca is located approximately 4 hours from New York City, 6 hours from Boston, and 4 hours from Philadelphia.
SCHEDULE
Auditions and Callbacks: August 23-27, 2015 (It is preferred that the Guest Artist be present.) If the production slot selected begins rehearsals later in the fall, and the Guest Artist is not teaching a semester-long course, an additional round-trip would be provided.
Rehearsals would begin in August, September, or October 2015 (depending upon Play or Musical production slot), scheduled Monday through Friday 7-10:00pm and Sunday afternoons (4 hours). Tech rehearsals follow the normal rehearsal schedule with the addition of extended hours on Saturdays.
Design Conferences and Meetings: Depending on the slot chosen for this production, the Guest Artist would be either present in person or via remote technology for initial weekly design conversations and meetings in accordance with the production calendar. For example, play #1 or the musical begin their design process in February and March. Play #2 begins its process in April. Specific dates (and conflicts) can be discussed during the interview process.
Performances early October (Play #1), early November (Musical), early December (Play #2)
FEE & DETAILS
The directing fee for this project will be $6,500 plus standard SDC Pension of 8% and Health (currently an $800 contribution). If teaching, the Guest Artist would receive an additional teaching stipend ranging from $1300 to $3900 depending on the number of credits taught (1 to 3 credits). Master classes or workshops (in lieu of a course) would be paid an honorarium for each session.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for this Guest Artist position, please submit the following materials by email to SDCF@SDCweb.org.
When submitting, follow directions carefully:
Subject line: Ithaca Guest Artist
Include one pdf or doc titled “Ithaca Your Last Name” (for example, Ithaca Smith) containing in this order:
1. Cover Letter and Project Statement – 2 pages maximum. This letter/statement should reflect briefly on your artistic values, your approach to the collaborative design process, and why you would like to direct a production in this environment of a professional training program, working with student designers, technicians and actors. Suggestions of up to 4 titles are welcome, but the play selection process will be decided separately. Address statement to “Theatre Arts Faculty.” Information about the Department of Theatre Arts can be found at: http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/theatre/
2. Directing Resume – 2 pages maximum. Please focus on your professional directing experience as opposed to teaching experience; while teaching is relevant, you are applying for a directing position, not a faculty position. You may include a list of courses/workshops or master classes taught, included in the 2-page maximum.
3. A list of 3 references (names, emails and phone numbers) that we may contact regarding your artistic work.
NOTE THE ABOVE THREE ITEMS SHOULD BE COMBINED IN ONE DOCUMENT OR PDF
Please do not submit additional materials such as press materials, quotes, or photos. If these are included, you will be asked to resubmit.
Application deadline is October 1 at noon eastern time. There will be no extensions whatsoever for any reason. Please be sure to submit materials with time to accommodate any issues you may experience with electronic submission. If you are unable to email the documents, you may mail them to the Foundation, but they must be in the Foundation office by October 1 at noon eastern time; this is a receipt date, not a postmark date. Selection is expected by the middle of November, and late submissions will not be considered.
Only SDC Full Members in good standing are eligible to be hired for positions through the Guest Artist Initiative. Please note that although the school will make all hiring decisions, SDCF will collect all application materials for the school. Do not contact the school directly; this program is designed to make it easier for schools to hire professionals and, thus, we will be acting as administrator (though SDCF plays no role in selection).
Please direct any questions regarding this program to SDCFPrograms@sdcweb.org.
About SDCF’s Guest Artist Initiative Program:
The Guest Artist Initiative Program enables SDCF to facilitate and fund the hiring of professional SDC Directors and Choreographers to helm theatre productions at universities and colleges across the country. To date, funding and facilitation services have been granted to Arizona State University, Fordham University, Louisiana State University, Marymount Manhattan College, Michigan State University, Morehead University, Southern Illinois University, University of Evansville, and University Nevada Las Vegas. All American colleges and universities are invited to apply. An SDCF panel comprised of professional directors and choreographers, arts administrators, and college educators select productions for the award. Two proposals receive funding and facilitation services, and several more are offered free facilitation services. The schools are solely responsible for selecting the Guest Artist among SDC Members applicants.