SEEDS is a structured development initiative for emerging theatre practitioners. Now in its third phase, SEEDS3 will continue to support new directing and playwriting talent, but will also, for the first time, offer emerging designers, composers and producers the opportunity to participate in the programme. Taking the notion of ‘the company as ensemble’ as its guiding principle, the SEEDS3 artists will work together from the outset, participating in separate but integrated programmes, in the knowledge that they will showcase work as a company at the end of the process.
Funded by the Arts Council, The SEEDS3 designers, directors, composers and producers will participate in an 18-month programme that will be individually curated to provide the artists with the development support they need to advance their craft and their careers. Mentoring by established and highly experienced artists will remain at the heart of the process, as will international research trips, an international placement with a leading practitioner and hands-on experience assisting on Rough Magic productions.
Each playwright will receive a full commission to deliver an original play over the course of the programme and will be mentored by an experienced director of new writing throughout the programme. The SEEDS3 writers will receive support and feedback from Rough Magic’s Literary Department and will participate in a structured development programme involving one-on-one script meetings, workshops and private readings. The playwrights’ programme will remain separate from the other individual programmes, but the SEEDS3 writers will participate in a number of combined activities including workshops and international travel.
With the assistance of additional funding from Culture Ireland, the international aspect of SEEDS3 will be expanded. To this end, formal partnerships have already been established with the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and the National Theatre Studio, London.
The SEEDS3 Showcase will take place during the 2007 Dublin Fringe Festival during which the directors, designers, composers and producers will present a season of showcase fringe productions. Working together as a company from the outset, the SEEDS3 artists will agree on a series of productions which will best showcase the talents of all the individuals involved. Each of the productions will be given a small production budget and will receive artistic, technical, administrative and marketing support from Rough Magic.
In the same venue, over one weekend, the three commissioned plays developed during SEEDS3 will be showcased in a series of rehearsed readings, directed by the individual mentors.
SEEDS3 is open to emerging writers, directors, designers (lighting, set and costume), composers and producers whose work has already been staged on a semi-professional, professional (including staged or rehearsed readings), student or fringe basis or have completed accredited professional training in their specialism.
Writers wishing to be considered for the project should submit the following:
1. One example of previous writing for the stage (Screenplays or radio plays will not suffice).
2. A CV detailing writing experience and production history (indicating whether professional, semi-professional, student, fringe or amateur).
3. Writers invited to attend for interview will be asked to present a one-page outline of an idea for a new play.
4. A small SAE for acknowledgement of receipt
5. A large SAE for the return of the script if required.
Writers who have already submitted work to the company in the past three years (including the previous SEEDS programme) need only submit items 2 and 3 above.
Directors wishing to be considered for the project should submit the following:
1. A CV detailing directing experience and production history (indicating whether professional, semi-professional, student, fringe or amateur).
2. An outline (maximum two pages) of a recent directing project. The outline should address the following areas: A brief description of the project, the creative personnel and your interaction with the creative process, artistic ambition and a self-assessment and analysis of the outcome of the project indicating whether or not the artistic ambitions had been achieved.
3. A small SAE for acknowledgement of receipt.
Designers wishing to be considered for the project should submit the following:
1. A CV detailing designing experience and production history (indicating whether professional, semi-professional, student, fringe or amateur).
2. An outline (maximum two pages) of a recent design project. The outline should address the following areas: A brief description of the project, the creative personnel and your interaction with the creative process, the original design ambition and a self-assessment and analysis of the outcome of the design.
3. The outline should be accommodated by visual representations (photographs, jpegs, design drawings, lighting plans) of the design. Designers invited to attend at interview will be asked to present a selected portfolio of their work to date.
4. A small SAE for acknowledgement of receipt
Composers wishing to be considered for the project should submit the following:
1. A CV detailing composing and theatre experience (indicating whether professional, semi-professional, student, fringe or amateur).
2. An outline (maximum two pages) of a recent theatre composition project. The outline should address the following areas: A brief description of the project, the creative personnel and your interaction with the creative process, your original ambition and a self-assessment and analysis of the outcome of the composition.
3. The outline should be accommodated by a CD or DVD recording and/or a hard copy of the musical score.
4. A small SAE for acknowledgement of receipt
Producers wishing to be considered for the project should submit the following:
1. A CV detailing administrative and producing experience (indicating whether professional, semi-professional, student, fringe or amateur).
2. An outline (maximum two pages) of a recent producing project. The outline should address the following areas: A brief description of the project, its creative and administrative personnel and your interaction with the creative and production process, the producer’s original ambition for the production and a self-assessment of the outcome of the project including an analysis of projected and actual box office receipts where relevant.
3. The outline should be accommodated by promotional print (fliers, programmes and posters) and any press cuttings from the production.
4. A small SAE for acknowledgement of receipt
Closing date: before 5pm on Friday 10th March.
Address: SEEDS3 (ref “insert programme name”), Rough Magic Theatre Company, 5-6 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2.
Interviews: Short-listed artists will be required to attend for interview in Dublin in the week beginning 3rd April. Interview candidates will be notified by March 31st.
Further information: e: info@rough-magic.com t: 01 671 9278
Posted on: 21/2/2006