the birds and stone series - Call for Artists!

Only two days left to submit your proposals! Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested.

The Downstage Performance Society presents

the birds and stone series

Call for Creators/Artists

Since 2004, the Downstage Performance Society has brought high-quality, socially-charged Canadian theatre and performance to Calgary audiences. Now entering its fourth season, Downstage is extending its focus on community and collaboration to a new level.

the birds and stone series invites Calgary artists to experiment, innovate and push the boundaries of performance in a safe environment. Between September 2007 and August 2008, the series will present six curated productions, one every two months at the birds and stone venue. The series is open to all forms of performative expression including:

Performance Creation – Theatre – Spoken Word – Dance – Music – Movement Installation – Clown – Film – Comedy – Activism – Literature

...or whatever else you can come up with!

Downstage will provide support to each production in the form of one week of free rehearsal & performance space (Sunday–Wednesday rehearsals, Thursday–Saturday performances), publicity support, front-of-house staff, and whatever production/technical support is possible. Artists will receive a split of the box office and an opportunity to present and try out new work. This series gives artists the chance to focus their energy on creation and performance without having to worry about costly performance space or advertising!

Anyone is welcome to submit. Priority will be given to work that is socially-engaged, experimental, collaborative and unique. Shorter works are also encouraged to submit and may be considered as part of a larger evening of work.

SUBMISSION PROCESS: Please submit a 1-page project proposal to birds and stone series Curator Mark Hopkins by e-mail at mark@downstage.ca.

Your proposal should include:
- a concise and specific description of the project
- contact information (phone, e-mail)
- preferred month / time of year

Please feel free to also include supplementary materials (script, photos, video, CV, etc).

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 30, 2007

All submissions will be considered by a jury. The full 2007/08 line-up will be announced in mid-July 2007. For more information on Downstage, please visit www.downstage.ca.

birds and stone is an intimate performance venue in the basement of the Unitarian Church of Calgary on 16^th Avenue NW ( 204 16^th Avenue NW).

CONTACT: Mark Hopkins – 403.710.0093 – mark@downstage.ca