REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

We are currently accepting submissions for the 2024 - 2025 Mainstage Season. Proposals are submitted anonymously. The guidelines below help explain what we’re looking for. Please complete the form below no later than October 16, 2023.

Reflections

Whilst perusing shows for consideration, we encourage you to reflect deeply upon the mission, vision, and core values of Bainbridge Performing Arts. The season we curate will be demonstrative of how we’re working to deliver on our promises to create a brave space, to spark joy, and to change lives.

AVAILABILITY

Proposed shows MUST be released and available for amateur licensing. Please check the following companies to confirm that the rights are available:

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Because of our limited wing space, lack of a fly loft, the high cost of building materials, and availability of skilled designers, please be mindful that some shows are simply not possible to produce within the capacity of our physical space and production team.

NAME RECOGNITION

We strongly prefer that, for Mainstage productions, the title, playwright, or original source material is familiar to our audiences and casting pool. Because we do not have the capacity for extra marketing efforts, we are unable to risk a two or three-week run on titles that our audiences may be entirely unfamiliar with. As this season progresses, our new studio space will allow community members to produce new works or less widely known favorites with more regularity.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Choosing Tony, Pulitzer, Obie or Drama Desk nominees or winners ensures a certain quality level and most of our successful shows have been included on this very long list. The Tony & Pulitzer websites are a great resource, you can search by year:

https://www.tonyawards.com/history/year-by-year/2023/

https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/218

CASTING INTEREST & REQUIREMENTS

Shows must have casting needs that are within the means of and are primarily the demographic of the BPA talent pool. Titles must appeal to potential cast members to insure a large turn out for auditions. We are especially seeking shows with many strong roles for women and include at least two productions in a season with opportunities for young actors (however, we’ve learned from casting the 23-24 season that currently, there is significantly more engagement from young people aged under 14 than there is from teens aged 14+).

HISTORY

Shows that have been the most successful, both from a production and attendance standpoint; All of our Bard at Bloedel Shakespeare productions, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Mary Poppins, Hair, Snow Falling on Cedars, Spamalot, Shrek, Avenue Q, A Chorus Line, The Full Monty, Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, The Grapes of Wrath, A Light in the Piazza, Urinetown, Cabaret. A connection with local school curriculum has also been beneficial; Snow Falling on Cedars, The Kentucky Cycle, Macbeth, and Grapes of Wrath. We try to not re-produce programming within a period of 10 - 12 years. A list of previous BPA productions can be found here; https://www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org/bpa-history

COMMUNITY VS. REGIONAL

Our audiences expect us to challenge them and ourselves. One of the biggest risks we can take in programming is to produce shows that are often considered more traditional “community theater” fare rather than titles that have been produced at regional theaters such as; OSF, ACT, ArtsWest, the 5th Ave and Village. It is important that we engage our audience and performers with material that expands our sense of community, builds our mission, and lifts diverse voices and perspectives.

RFP SUBMISSION FORM

Please fill out the below form to the best of your ability and leave comments at the end for clarification if needed. Thank you for your time, commitment, and collaboration in helping us to craft this important body of work.