Community Spotlight Artist Program

The Community Artist Showcase Program by SoWright Theater Company is an innovative initiative designed to elevate and celebrate local literary artists by transforming their written works into compelling stage productions. This program aims to foster community engagement, promote cultural expression, and support local talent by providing a platform for authors and playwrights to see their stories brought to life on stage.

This program offers flexible production options:

• Volunteer-supported production: Where community volunteers assist with staging, costumes, and technical elements, allowing artists to maintain creative control.
• Full-service professional production: Where the company manages all aspects of production, ensuring a high-quality theatrical experience.

Objective:

To highlight and support local community artists by turning their books into a stage play, with the assistance of a team of volunteers and industry professionals

• Support Local Artists: Provide a platform for local authors to showcase their literary works through theatrical adaptations.
• Foster Community Engagement: Involve community members, volunteers, and local businesses in the production process.
• Promote Cultural Enrichment: Enhance the cultural landscape by producing high-quality, community-driven theater.
• Build Artistic Capacity: Offer training and volunteer opportunities that develop skills in stagecraft, production, and arts management.
• Create Sustainable Impact: Establish ongoing partnerships and artist collaborations to ensure continued cultural vibrancy.

Eligibility:

The program is open to local community artists who have written a book.  The artist must be willing to collaborate with the SoWright Team throughout the production process.

Application Process:

1. Artists  must submit their copy-written brief synopsis  of their book to  SoWright Theater Company with agreement of an NDA .
2. Submit a short summary on why you are the best candidate for this program and how this opportunity will help you. 
3. A selection committee composed of the SoWright Team reviews the submissions and selects one artist to participate in the program each year. ( It will take one year to transcribe book into script and another year for performance) 
4. The selected artist is notified and invited to work with the SoWright Team

Program Structure:

1. Pre-Production:

The selected artist meets with the SoWright Team for 4-6 free consultations to discuss their project, including budget and finance, marketing and design, directing, staging, and backstage management.

The artist has two options:

• Option 1: **Consultation Only** 

Offer a team of volunteers to support the production process while SoWright Theater collaborates alongside your team. The artist maintains full creative control throughout.

• Option 2: **Full Production Services**
  Engage the SoWright Team to handle the entire production from inception to completion, with applicable service fees, while the artist's creative vision guides the project.

2. Production:

* The artist works closely with the SoWright Team to develop their play, including scriptwriting, casting, set design, costume design, lighting design, and sound design.

* The artist has access to a group of (5) volunteers who will assist throughout the production process.

3. Post-Production:

* The play is staged at the SoWright Theater, with the artist's creative vision brought to life by the SoWright Team.

* Marketing and promotion efforts are undertaken by the SoWright Team to promote the play.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to showcase their work on stage
• Collaboration with industry professionals
• Access to resources and expertise
• Two options for production support
• Potential for exposure and recognition within the community
• We will promote your stageplay 
• Artist keeps creative control while we only consult to bring your vision to life 

Fees:

*SoWright Team's services from start to finish - fees will be negotiated based on scope of work and services required. *

Timeline:

• Application submission deadline: [TBA ]
• Selection announcement: [TBA]
• Pre-production consultations: [Dates: TBA]
• Production timeline: [Dates: TBA ]
• Production promotion: [Dates: TBA