[INSIDE] THE FORD 2002 - 2003
Request For Proposals

Continuing into 2002-03, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission will again partner with A.S.K. Theater Projects, which is devoted to the development of new plays, to provide significant support for a new play series of Los Angeles premieres at [INSIDE] THE FORD. The James Irvine Foundation will provide funding for up to $25,000 per company for additional artist fees and design elements.

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission operates the 87-seat, substantially renovated [INSIDE] THE FORD theatre located on the lower level of the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre (formerly known as the Taper, Too).

In addition to the use of the [INSIDE] THE FORD space, the Arts Commission provides for theatre companies selected as part of the series an extensive sound and lighting equipment package in the theatre, onsite parking, oversight by the Ford's Production Manager, full in-house box office services, minimal janitorial/maintenance services, and security. Participating theatre companies will license the facility for $550 per week, approximately one-fourth the actual cost, toward these services.

Theatre companies are asked to submit a proposal based on one of the scripts from the proposed attached Plays for Consideration list. These plays have received successful readings or workshops at A.S.K. Theater Projects within the past two years, but have not been fully produced in Los Angeles. In addition to providing scripts for company consideration and acting as liaison between playwrights and interested theatre companies, A.S.K. Theater Projects may offer additional dramaturgical support if desired.

In addition, applicants will describe how they would use up to an additional $25,000 in support of artist fees (actors, designers, directors, playwrights royalties, etc.) and design elements. Two budgets will be required - one prepared with your costs without this additional support (a base line budget) and one prepared with your costs if you were to receive an additional support of up to $25,000 towards artist fees and design elements.

There are three 8-week production slots available for this program: October 28 - December 22, 2002; December 30, 2002 - February 23, 2003; March 3 - April 27, 2003. At the end of eight weeks, there will be the potential of a one-week extension.

Participants in this program will meet with the Ford Theatres' Production Manager to finalize production details; however, companies will be required to include a minimum of six preview performances over the course of two weeks and a minimum of four performances per week (Thur. - Sun.) for 5 weeks, including an official opening press night.

The goals of [INSIDE] THE FORD are to:

• Support Los Angeles County resident theatre companies by providing an opportunity to successfully produce a play in a well-equipped 87-seat theatre. (Success is measured by artistic achievement, increased exposure for the organization, organizational growth, and financial return);
  
• Support Los Angeles County theatre professionals by providing an opportunity for employment of playwrights, actors, musicians, technicians, designers, and administrative personnel;
  
• Build an identity for [INSIDE] THE FORD as a winter home for exciting theatrical presentations;
  
• Develop and present new theatre pieces in a professional environment; and
• Develop new audiences.

Arts Commission and A.S.K. Theater Projects Support &
Key Responsibilities of Participating Theatre Companies

The following information details the significant support provided by the Arts Commission and A.S.K. Theater Projects as well as certain key responsibilities of the organizations selected to participate in the series.

The Facility

Physical specifications: The newly refurbished [INSIDE] THE FORD seats 87. There is ample free parking available on-site.

Stage: The stage is constructed of high-density rubber loaded wood. It measures 20'7" x 22'9". The height from deck to light grid (above the stage) is 16'. There are four 18" square columns located within stage area.

Drapes: There are four moveable 6' legs and a rear curtain.

Dressing area: There is one large dressing room (20' square) and two 10' X 20' dressing rooms (one with shower).

Load-in access: Load-in access is via a circular drive on the third level of the amphitheatre and down an elevator. Access doors are 4' X 5'11" and 2'8" X 6'10".

Maintenance: The Arts Commission will provide minimal weekly maintenance. Participating theatre companies are responsible for nightly maintenance of the stage, lobby, auditorium, and backstage areas.

Light and Sound Equipment

[INSIDE] THE FORD has an extensive lighting and sound package available in the theatre. A full list of equipment is available from the Ford's Production Manager upon request.

Theatre companies that have technical needs beyond the basic Ford package should plan to bring in the special equipment needed for their productions at their own expense. Make sure to include the expense of any additional light or sound equipment in the project budget.

Production Manager

A professional production manager with extensive technical knowledge is on the staff of the Ford. The Production Manager will guide organizations through load-ins and load-outs, coordinate rehearsal schedules, and handle all facility concerns.

Except for the Production Manager as noted, theatre companies should plan on providing or paying for all personnel needed to mount their productions. Such personnel include scenic, light and sound designers, light and sound operators, stage manager, and crew. Groups will attend at least one production meeting if chosen to participate in the series. The Production Manager will be available on an ongoing basis and be at all public performances.

Marketing

It is up to each participating company to do marketing/PR for its own production.

WHAT A.S.K. THEATER PROJECTS PROVIDES

A professional arts marketing firm will:

• Produce a professionally designed season brochure;
• Announce the season to the press;
• Pitch feature stories on the overall program;
• Provide individual technical assistance to the participating companies to help them develop campaigns for their individual shows.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES

Being part of the [INSIDE] THE FORD season represents a tremendous audience development opportunity for a theatre company. To take full advantage of it, the company must be willing to put money and labor into the promotion of its own production.

Each theatre company will:

• Attend at least one marketing meeting with the professional arts marketing firm no fewer than 3 months and preferably 6 months prior to the opening of the production;
• Make its mailing list available for joint marketing efforts, particularly the season brochure (The theatre company's mailing list will be used for [INSIDE] THE FORD only and will not be sold or added to the Commission's/Ford's permanent list);
• Develop a marketing campaign (This should include producing and distributing at least 10,000 mailers on the company's production);
• Develop a PR campaign (Hiring of a professional theatre publicist is strongly advised).

Box Office

A centralized full service (including Internet sales) box office and full-time Box Office Manager are provided at no cost to participating companies. The on-site box office will operate limited hours Wednesday through Sunday. The Box Office Manager will handle will call and walk-up sales for each performance.

Participating theatre companies will receive 100% of ticket revenues.

House Management

Each theatre company will provide a house manager and usher(s) for each performance.

Minimal professional security services are provided at no cost to the participating companies. Events other than performances (receptions, discussions, etc.) may require additional security time and this additional time will be charged to the company.

Concessions

Refreshments may be sold in the lobby of the theatre. Staffing is to be provided by the participating theatre companies. No house commission will be taken on food items. No alcohol may be sold at [INSIDE] THE FORD.

Proposal Considerations

Before preparing its proposal, each theatre company should consider the following items:

Production Expenses & Budget

Organizations should budget for all production expenses:

• Actors, playwrights, and other production staff fees, including light and sound designers;
• Technical crew (load in & out, plus qualified sound and light operators & stage manager);
• Sets and costumes;
• Supplemental lighting, staging and sound equipment;
• Royalties;
• Marketing and publicity;
• Expendables (everything from water to tape);
• $1,000 security deposit, which may be secured by advance box office receipts;
• Insurance, including liability insurance and workers compensation insurance; and
• Where to supplement fees with the additional $25,000 towards artistic fees and design elements (a second budget).

Exclusive Presentation

All productions included in the [INSIDE] THE FORD must be Los Angeles premieres. Any production wishing to move to another venue must be characterized as an extension of the [INSIDE] THE FORD production.

Proposal Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated utilizing the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence;
• Compatibility of proposed play with the artistic mission of the theatre company;
• Demonstrated financial support and ability of organization to translate artistic vision into physical reality;
• Realistic production budget and payments to actors, playwright, designers, and production personnel;
• Realistic marketing plan and budget;
• Ability to work cooperatively with other organizations.

Proposal Application

(The necessary forms are attached and may also be downloaded from the Arts Commission website at www.lacountyarts.org)

DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 (postmark deadline).

For any questions or other communication regarding the [INSIDE] THE FORD application process, please contact:

Martin I. Kagan, Managing Director
Telephone: 323/856 5792
Fax: 323/ 464 1158
E-mail: mkagan@bos.co.la.ca.us

There is a workshop for prospective applicants to ask questions and review the application. This workshop is at 10:00 AM on Sat. Feb 16, 2002 at [INSIDE] THE FORD, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068. Please call (323) 856-5793 to RSVP.

The "Plays for Considerations" list and copies of scripts can be obtained by contacting:

Mead Hunter
A.S.K. Theater Projects
11845 W. Olympic Blvd.
Suite 1250
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310/478 3200
E-mail: mhunter@askplay.org

These guidelines and application form and other Commission activities can be accessed on the Arts Commission web site:

http://www.lacountyarts.org/ford_inside_geninfo.html

The Application For [INSIDE] THE FORD 2002-2003 may be completed online and/or printed by clicking on the link(s) below. The form is available in both in Microsoft Word format or PDF (Portable Document Format) which requires the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader software be installed on your computer.