1. Nottingham New Theatre
Proposals Advice
Nottingham New Theatre

2. Key Information
Forms to be received/sent from: or DEADLINE INHOUSE: Midnight on the 4th October DEADLINE FRINGE: Midnight on the 18th October Word counts are guidelines. 4 page script extract/rehearsal guide (devised pieces) to be scanned and attached. Handwritten proposal forms will not be accepted. For information on Edinburgh proposals:

3. FRINGE Vs. in house FRINGE
Represents more experimental theatre, such as shows you’d find in Edinburgh Fringe.
IN HOUSE
Represents commercial theatre, such as shows you’d find at The National.
PROPOSE FOR FRINGE IF…
Student writing (though this can also be in-house if deemed appropriate)
Needs a more personal relationship with the audience
Needs smaller audience size
PROPOSE FOR IN HOUSE IF…
Large cast
Bigger budget
Published scripts with rights

4. Basic Information …
Performance Rights: Who owns the performance rights will be detailed on the Legal page of script, and usually contact details are given – this is the company you will need to approach in order to enquire about the rights. It is preferable to have the latest edition of the script for rights companies can change between printed editions, and so an older copy of a script may not provide the correct details.

5. How to enquire about rights …
A work is in the public domain when there is no copyright attached to it. This generally happens 70 years after the last creator’s death, bearing in mind that a work may have several creators. Usually online application form or contact the literary agent directly. Rights can be negotiated so do ask (we have a small capacity, approx. 80 seats when end-on, and are a student theatre). Amateur rights. It is extremely important to get permission from the right’s holder before making any amendments to the script (gender swapping/cuts) and we advise you to seek out this information prior to proposals.

6. The Play

7. DESIGN AND Creative Process
Your chance to tell us about what you want to do with the text!

8. DESIGN OF THE SHOW

9. Budgeting

10. How much do you intend to raise from the fundraiser?
Fundraising
It is important to remember that the theatre will not fund your show in its entirety, and so you are expected to raise a portion of your budget yourselves. Usually the expectation is to raise around £100, but the given target varies depending on overall given budget as well as cast size and slot allocation. There are plenty of ways to raise the money required and we have had many very successful fundraisers in the past. The key is to be creative and try to tie your show’s themes into the event.
Some suggestions:
Pub Quiz
Bake Sale
Movie Nights
Assassins
Theatre game evenings
Any fundraiser ideas?
How much do you intend to raise from the fundraiser?

11. Production Team Ideas for roles include:
Shadow directing: if your team member is interested in proposing in the future, they could sit in rehearsals in order to gain directing experience.
Production assistant: if your team member is interested in producing in the future they could assist the producer with totalling budgets, organising rehearsals, room bookings, etc.
Design assistant: if your team member is interested in set or costume design, they could be in charge of sourcing costumes and set items, looking for period dress in charity shops or from costume hires.
Other: if you want a trailer made, a Facebook campaign or any job you feel you won’t have time for but would like done, then this is the perfect opportunity to tailor the assistant member role to this job.

12. 4 Page Extract
If you can provide us with a link to the text – great! But do still attach a 4 page extract as committee can not be expected to read all proposed scripts in two days (but we will try our best!)

13. Fringe: Form Differences
The forms are almost identical and should be filled out in exactly the same way. Differences include: The number of performances per show. Performance space. Proposed devised pieces require a rehearsal breakdown rather than script extract.

14. Example of Rehearsal Breakdown
Time needed
Aim
Process 1
3 hours
Research and explore the depiction of crime
Examine the language used by newspapers, then improvise small scenes of characters reacting to the language. 2
4 hours
Characterisation
Look at objectives and super objectives of each character. Create backstory and play around with how this impacts physicality. 3
2 hours
Complicity
Play games involving eye contact and awareness of space. Practice monologues to one another.

15. Proposals Day …
In-house: Saturday 7th October Fringe: Saturday 21st October Each show being proposed will be allocated a 15 minute slot where the director and producer will pitch their show to the whole committee. The relevant coordinator will contact each director/producer and will allocate a slot time, however, if you require a specific time due to other commitments, please let the relevant coordinator know when submitting your proposals form. Proposing teams have 3 minutes at the start to give a speech, followed by 7-12 minutes of Q&As with the committee. Arrive early and wait to be collected from the dressing room (Hallward side of the theatre building) Following your proposal, it is essential that both director and producer keep their phones on them at all times. Slot offers are non-negotiable.

16. Key Information
Forms to be received/sent from: or DEADLINE INHOUSE: Midnight on the 4th October DEADLINE FRINGE: Midnight on the 18th October Word counts are guidelines. 4 page script extract/rehearsal guide (devised pieces) to be scanned and attached. Handwritten proposal forms will not be accepted. For information on Edinburgh proposals: