The Artist Channel // Digital Season Submission

The Artist Channel Application

In addition to the live productions of the 2020/21 season, the Alliance will launch a new streaming platform – Alliance Theatre Anywhere – to bring the best of the Alliance’s stages to the digital world. Streaming shows and exclusive content will be available on demand. The Artist Channel will premiere on Alliance Theatre Anywhere in January 2021.

All Atlanta area artists are invited to submit a proposal to produce for The Artist Channel, an extension of the Alliance Theatre’s inaugural digital season. The Artist Channel seeks to provide space for generative artists of all varieties to explore the use of digital platforms in creating new and exciting theatrical works. The Artist Channel application is available for artists of all disciplines and styles – actor, director, designer, writer, composer, choreographer, or musician (as examples) – to develop digital work.

Seven Artists will be granted $5,000 to develop and produce a thirty-minute digital work within a 60 day period. After the 60 day period, the finished work will live on the Alliance Theatre Anywhere streaming platform as part of the 2020-2021 digital season. Please note that while we encourage experimenting with new platforms, The Artist Channel is an instrumental part of The Alliance’s digital season and we expect the final product to be a completed work, ready to be presented on Alliance Theatre Anywhere.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. However, the judiciary team will be reviewing and accepting applications in three waves for the 20-21 season. The deadline for submissions for the first wave is November 5th, for the second wave is January 5th, and the third wave is March 5th. We will continue to review applications following March 5th, but these submissions will not be considered for the 20-21 season.

The applications will be adjudicated by the digital season’s Co-Artistic Directors and Spelman Leadership Fellows, Jessenia Ingram and Alexis Woodard; and BOLD Producing Associate, Skylar Burks.

GUIDELINES AND FAQS

How will my application be evaluated?

Each application will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Are the ideas and goals of this proposal achievable in the digital format??
What is the quality of the work sample?
Why is this project important now?
Does the project present an exciting and innovative use of the digital medium?

Who is eligible to apply?

This is an Atlanta-wide competition and any generative artist with an interest in the connection between theatrical and digital work is eligible to apply. Artists can serve on projects in a variety of capacities including, but not limited to: actors, playwrights, designers, directors, dramaturgs, producers, composers, musicians, or stage managers.
Artists working outside the categories listed are encouraged to apply. Multidisciplinary artists are encouraged to apply although we ask that the tie to theatre be explained in the project description application.
If other artists are involved in the creation of the project, the artist submitting the application must be willing to function as the primary contact for the project, will be regarded as the leader of the team, and responsible for all budgetary decisions.
Full-time employees of the Alliance Theatre, the Woodruff Arts Center, and its divisions are ineligible to apply for the Alliance’s 2020-2021 Digital Season’s Artist Channel.

What kind of work is eligible to apply?

Your project should be a digital work.
Projects may be previously produced or classic works, although the unique view/approach for any project should be articulated
Projects do not have to be text-based, and if text-based, the text does need to be finished at the time of applying.
Projects may be original work (not based on underlying source material) created by writers, musicians, ensembles, directors, or other means of devising work
If the work submitted is an adaptation of another work, include one copy of written proof of permission to adapt it or of the material’s public domain status. A photocopy of such proof is acceptable.
Musical projects are encouraged to apply!

What is a work sample?

In addition to the project description, every project should include one work sample. A work sample could be a script but could also be examples of pictures or video clips.
If a script, please submit no more than a 10-page work sample that gives a sense of artistry and vision of the piece to be read by the judges. (Please upload a copy of a full script if it exists. This will be available to judges upon request after evaluation of the ten-page sample.)
If your sample is not written, please make sure it lasts no longer than 5 minutes.
Critical writing about work or reviews especially for directors, designers and actors could be included in addition to a work sample. Artists other than playwrights are encouraged to submit whatever samples will best introduce their work to the panel and creativity is encouraged.
Please note only one work sample per project is necessary. Please send what best represents this project.

What should my budget cover/what is the alliance offering?

The Alliance Theatre will provide dramaturgical and casting support for each project.
The $5,000 award is available to the team for all other necessary expenses involved with your project.
The Alliance Theatre will offer a one-time workshop with Susan Booth, Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, Amanda Watkins, and Christopher Moses during the artistic process.
The Artist Channel $5,000.00 award does not need to cover the total costs of a project if other funds are made available to you. We understand that projects evolve, and we encourage you to implement your own fundraising initiatives.

What does my project need to be about?

The theme for this year’s artist channel is “Dialogue.” This is intentionally broad and can be interpreted in many different ways depending on an artist’s background and social perspectives. All we ask is that your application explains your project’s relevance to this year’s theme.

What should I expect during my creation period?

Once awarded the grant, you will begin a 60 day period as an Alliance Digital Season Artist. During that time you are required to have at least one check-in with the producers of the digital season at the 30-day mark, to check on your progress.
You will receive notes and feedback from the Producing Team on your work, at the 30-day check-in.
You will also have periodic check-in sessions with the Producing Team for additional feedback and to help you problem-solve and access other resources of the theatre.

Apply for The Artist Channel Digital Season

Questions:

Send an email to artistchannel@alliancetheatre.org