<<Back

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

Our primary goal is to help talented, but underexposed, playwrights, performers and directors find an audience to appreciate their work. We mainly produce new works but, on occasion, will accept seldom done or rare published works by talented new directors.

Spotlight On Festivals, Inc. is a production company formed by Frank Calo in 1998 and is managed and produced by him. This will be Spotlight’s 8th New York Festival under the Spotlight name.

Publicity is being handled by CalThor Productions.

The Festival will most likely take place at 125 and 135 West 42nd St. (Chashama Theater).

The set up as we see it now will consist of 2 black box theaters, a box office and a reception area.

All applications must be postmarked by May 20, 2003 with a non-refundable application fee of $25. Late entries will be accepted up to June 20, 2003 with an application fee of $40. If your show is chosen a package will be sent to you with an agreement letter. Money orders and certified checks will only be accepted.

Spotlight On Festivals also produces a number of readings, staged readings, special events (cabaret, musicians, comedians, etc.) and workshops. The application fees above are the same for all and the deadlines must be adhered to. The festival acceptance fee varies for these events. See “Special Events Acceptance” for a full listing. You must specify which type of event (in your application) you are applying for.

Once you have downloaded the application form from our website (www.spotlighton.org) follow these steps:

1. Choose your show.

2. Fill out the application form.

3. Submit the following support materials with the application:

a. Cover letter.

b. Script or adaptation of proposed project.

c. A representative videotape (standard U.S. format) if you have one

d. Bios of all artists involved in your project at the point of your application. Also, list open or “empty” positions somewhere on your application.

e. Audiotape of music (if applicable).

f. Any other support material you think relevant.

g. $25 application fee (certified check or money order with the name of your production in the notation field) ($40 if after May 20)

The Spotlight On Festivals have become quite competitive and because of the volume of submissions you will not receive scripts and supporting materials back. Please do not send original materials. Applications must be fully filled out. If an application has only been partially filled out or an application check not included we will not accept the application.

Mail application and support materials to:

Once your production is accepted there will be a $250 fee for admittance payable with a certified check or money order. Also, see Special Events Acceptance list below. The admittance fee is non-refundable. In return, after the first 60 tickets are sold (for your entire run) you will receive 50% of tickets sales from the 61^{st ticket and on. Ticket prices will be set at $15 for most shows (there might be some instances where the price is higher or lower - tiered showcases, reading, etc.).}

The Festival makes no requirement for participation in future royalties from any works performed under its auspices but it does require that you list Spotlight On Festival as the original producing company or if it has been performed before the Spotlight Festival, as one of the previous producing companies. Our website address should accompany this statement - www.spotlighton.org.

We consider ourselves a family and we treat everyone with respect and we will consider you as part of our extended family and we ask you to do the same. One of the Spotlight percs are our parties - we like to throw receptions and parties before, during and after each festival. Free to all participants. It is one of the ways we say “thank you” to each company. We will update you with specifics. We also allow plenty of networking time in our reception room. Our website is also a very good way keep your name and production "out there."

Notification of acceptance, alternate status or decline to the festival will be mailed on or about July 1, 2003 . At this time, if you are accepted to the festival, you will receive a participant's packet. The enclosed contract must be completed and returned to us by July 15, 2003, the signed contract must be accompanied by a non-refundable certified check or money order for $250. You may pay by certified check, cashier's check or money order, in U.S. funds, collectible in a U.S. bank. Be sure to write the name of your show on the memo line of your check or money order, and make it payable to Spotlight On. If the packet is not received back by July 15 (or an e-mail on that day that it is on the way and will be postmarked July15) than we will offer the slot to the first group on the "Secondary Acceptance" list.

Some productions will get Secondary Acceptance status which means that they will move into an open slot once one becomes available. This process will begin on July 2 and continue until the festival begins. You will receive periodic notices of your status. The $250 fee is due within one week after full acceptance has been offered.

Only the fees for the following events vary. All other instructions apply. A limited number in each category will be accepted (1-4). You Must specify which type of event (in your application) you are applying for.

Readings: $25 acceptance fee and 1 performance. We charge the audience $5 for attendance. Readings receive “odd slots” – early or late evening, weekend late mornings, etc.

Staged Reading (including poetry): $50 acceptance fee and 1 or 2 performances. We charge the audience $5 for attendance. You will receive $2 a ticket back to you after the first 10 sold. Staged readings receive one odd slot and one marginal (early weekend afternoon, later Sunday evening, etc.)

Cabaret: Musical Review (smaller scale); impersonators; comedians: $100 acceptance fee and 3 performances. Audience pays full $15 ticket price. You will receive $5 back to you after the first 50 tickets sold. (Alternately you can apply for the full production contract.)

Bands, Musical Events, Special Events: $60 per requested performance. You can request from 1-4 performances. Audience pays full $15 ticket price. You will receive 50% of box office receipts after the first 50 tickets sold. (Alternately you can apply for the full production contract.)

Children’s shows: $25 per requested performance. You can request 1-5 performances under this contract. Audiences will pay $5 for children and $7 for adults. You will receive 50% of the box office receipts after the first 10 tickets sold (for each performance). (Alternately you can apply for the full production contract.)

If your production/show is picked you will receive a packet that will include:

- Performance schedule information

- Tech schedule information

- Blocking rehearsal information

- Theater information

- Meeting dates and times

- A sample of our festival brochure

- Chashama rental information (if you choose to rent rehearsal time from Chashama)

Your show will be scheduled in one theatre for 5 performances over a 2 or 3 week period (or one of the alternate amounts for special events). Additional performances might be added. Performances take place between 3 p.m. and 11pm on weekdays and between noon and midnight on weekends (special events can be scheduled earlier or later that the aforementioned times). There is a 30 minute turnaround time between shows. Your curtain time will vary from day to day in order to ensure all shows receive an equal amount of prime performance times. Keep in mind that when you are striking or setting up your show, another show is also striking or setting up.

Spotlight On will handle all aspects of selling tickets. Tickets will be sold at the door and in advance through a recognized ticket agency (most likely Theatermania.com). Full ticket price is $15.00, there are exceptions to this rule and they will be outlined upon acceptance.

Festival Passes will be available for 5 ($50), 10 ($95), 15 ($140) and all events ($200). Productions will receive $3 for each Festival Pass individual that attended their production except for special events.

Critics and industry (this will be outlined in the acceptance form) will be comped. One of our benefits is a liberal comp policy for all Spotlight On participants. All those directly involved with any production can see any other show for free on an "as available" basis. There will be no other comps. A Spotlight On employee will be in charge of the box office for all shows. You will provide an usher, who will be responsible for checking that everyone entering your show has a valid ticket stub.

All remuneration to participants will be made on or before Dec.15, 2003.

Shows over 90 minutes (including intermission) will be considered. If you have a show over 90 minutes in length it is considered a “2 slot show” and will be charged an additional $50 upon acceptance. Shows exceeding 90 minutes will require special consideration.

You will need to keep the technical requirements of your show very simple. The theaters are equipped with only very basic lights and sound. There is very little storage space in the theater. Unlike most festivals we do give you storage area. Most areas will be 4’x 4’. There is enough time for each company to have only one blocking rehearsal and one cue-to-cue technical rehearsal in the venue. Each company must assign an individual to run the lights and sound and an usher for each performance. A Festival technical expert will be on hand in case of difficulties in the booth, but running lighting and sound cues is your responsibility. There will be an instrument check and sound check at the beginning of each day.

Spotlight On will publicize the festival and coordinate all press relations, including interviews and critics' attendance. You will be asked to submit publicity photos and PR materials so we can send complete press packages to print and broadcast media. You must publicize your own show through mailers, handbills, or posters. We highly recommend “busking” at these venues. We are situated practically in Times Square and handing out flyers on the street was highly successful for our last festival. The more you promote your show, the larger your potential audience.

Out-of-area participants are responsible for all aspects of production and publicity for their show, as well as travel expenses and accommodations. Spotlight On will do all it can to provide lists of hotels and rentals.

A Festival Lighting Designer to design a general plot with a possibility of specials for each of the theaters.

A Festival Technical Director/Managing Producer (either 1 or 2 people) to troubleshoot

any technical and logistic problems that may occur.

A Box Office Manager for all shows.

A Press/Promotions Manager (either 1 or 2 people) to write press releases for

the festival, set up promotionals and design and place ads. Will also be available for questions.

A Festival Brochure will be sent out to our mailing list and given out as a festival program. The brochure will also be sent to press.

A Festival Flyer and/or Postcard will be provided to every company and sent out to any additional mailing lists.

A disk with our logo and information that MUST go in every ad or on every flyer

2-4 hours Tech time (per production - this will be divided if you are part of an evening of separate pieces) in the space that you will perform in.

2-4 hours Blocking time (per production - this will be divided if you are part of an evening of separate pieces) in the space that you will perform in.

A Lighting/sound technician

A Stage Manager

An Usher

A Program for your production (it can be as simple as a sheet of paper with bios and show information.)

A Representative to attend all scheduled meetings.

A Separate Flyer/Postcard for your production (must be okayed by Spotlight). The flyer/postcard must have the line. “A Spotlight On Production” or “Spotlight On presents.”

An Advertisement in any publication (must be okayed by Spotlight). The ad must mention Spotlight On.

Promotions other than those listed. If you are planning on a promotions blitz (performing in the park, appearing on radio, etc.) please send us an outline of your efforts. We can all benefit from this in the long run.

We are available to answer any questions via e-mail at spotlightonfest@aol.com

FILL OUT BELOW (print clearly or type)