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Brisbane Independent Theatre Sampler Festival

28 November 2009

Information for Artists

Registered Business Name: BITS FESTIVAL

ABN: 30659613756

Website: www.bitsfestival.com

Blog: http://bitsf.wordpress.com

Email [email protected]

Phone 0414 749 739

Logo design

mailto:[email protected]

http://bitsf.wordpress.com/

http://www.bitsfestival.com/

WELCOME TO THE

28 NOVEMBER 2009

What is it?

OPEN ACCESS FRINGE EVENT IN BRISBANE: The bitsFestival is an open-access, one-day event for independent theatre makers to showcase their work. The 2009 bitsFestival will take place on Saturday 28 November in a range of venues across Brisbane.

How does it work?

FACILITATED ACCESS TO VENUES: The bitsFestival committee is a group of volunteers who will facilitate the actual event in a not-for-profit manner by liaising with the venues, providing useful information and publicising the event. We will offer a means of registering your intention to stage a performance, and help draw up a timetable with the venues. We will publicise those events who have registered with us. There will be a registration fee to cover the costs involved in publicising and coordinating the event.

Who can be involved?

ALL THEATRE ARTISTS: The bitsFestival is open to everyone. There is no selection committee. If demand is greater than existing timeslots, acts will be selected by lottery. Acts that are unsuccessful in the lottery are encouraged to seek their own venue to be included in the programme. Don’t wait for the opportunity to come to you!

What does the future hold?

We hope that this event will generate a groundswell and assist in developing a critical mass to support a fully-fledged, open-access, independent fringe festival in Brisbane. This one-day event will foster collaboration between artists and enable artists to receive feedback on work from audiences and peers. It will expand the range of venues available to artists beyond the existing Brisbane theatre infrastructure and encourage the use of found spaces and alternative venues. With this expansion, comes the opportunity to attract new audiences who will stumble on theatre works without having to seek them out.

BITS FESTIVAL ABN 30659613756www.bitsfestival.com

2“If you can conceive it happening on stage - you can make it happen”

WHO ARE WE?

At the moment, ‘we’ are a group of volunteers, including:

Flloyd Kennedy

BitsFestival Coordinator

Contact Flloyd:[email protected]

FLLOYD traveled to the UK in the 1960s where she took part in the folk revival, performed street theatre, cabaret, intimate revue and fringe theatre, established Performance Exchange coordinating training opportunities with local and visiting artists in Glasgow and was Artistic Director of Golden Age Theatre. Since returning to Brisbane in 1997, she has directed Madama Butterfly, A Life in the Theatre, All’s Well That Ends Well, Faith Hope and Charity, and performed with Gyre Theatre, Trocadero Productions, Crossbow Theatre, Tempest Productions and Emerge! Project. Flloyd also teaches voice and acting skills at QUT and through her private practice Being in Voice www.being-in-voice.com.

Sally Clark Registrations Manager

Contact Sally:[email protected]

SALLY CLARK has a Bachelor of Theatre Studies majoring in Technical Production from James Cook University. For the last four years she has worked as Tenures Officer for the Queensland Government , Sally has acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience in many elements of technical production and administration skills, from working on all forms of productions from Euripedes to contemporary Australian play and festivals. Originally from Charters Towers, Sally is a well known person in regional theatre of North Queensland having lent her skills to a number of productions including Queensland Music Festival’s Charters Towers The Musical. She is a qualified trainer, and acts as consultant to training organisations. She is currently advising TEIA Ltd on the development of a Certificate II in Live Production for school ages students.


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Noel Sheridan

Program Coordinator/Venue Liaison

Contact Noel:[email protected]

NOEL is a performing Artist and Producer and will MC and liaise with the venue that is The Joynt, Montegue Rd West End. Noel has 25 years experience in the industry and has been involved with many Brisbane, State, National and overseas events including World Expo 88, Warana, Brisbane Festival, Federation Event, Moomba, The Rocks Sydney Festival, Starlight Stampede Longreach, Inaugural Spirit of the Outback , Winton Festival, Beef Week Rocky and Casino, Australia and Pacific Tourism Festival Fiji and more recently was nominated for an award at Brisbane’s inaugural Short and Sweet Festival. Noel is a Leo and looks forward to the enlivening of new work in his beloved Brissy. He believes in BitsF as an uncurated event and an avenue for new work… do a bit…

Sarah Thomasson Venue and Artist Services Coordinator

Contact Sarah: [email protected]

Sarah is an MPhil candidate at the University of Queensland researching festivals and found spaces. Sarah has is committed to local independent theatre in and is dedicated to seeing an open access event in Brisbane. Over the last five years Sarah has a worked for a number of local independent companies in Stage and Production Management.

Hamish Clift

Operations Manager

Contact Hamish: [email protected]

HAMISH is a postgraduate student of economics at the University of Queensland. He has three children: Horsythe, Horatio and Henrietta. He is interested in the economics of the performing arts and intellectual property. Hamish regularly wears hats, rarely leaves home without a camera and has a penchant for fine couture.

Joe Collings Marketing Coordinator

Contact Joe: [email protected]

David Jackmanson Media Consultant


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Contact David: [email protected]


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IMPORTANT DATES

REGISTRATION OPENS: 20 October 2009

REGISTRATION CLOSES: 10 November 2009

LAUNCH OF PROGRAMME: Week of 16 November (tbc)

FESTIVAL 28 November 2009

FESTIVAL PARTYFrom 9:30PM hosted by Top Floor(tickets available OzTix)


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DISCLAIMER:

This information is correct as at 17 October 2009 and is subject to change. To ensure that you have the most up-to-date information, please regularly check our website www.bitsfestival.com and blog http://www.bitsf.wordpress.com.

http://www.bitsf.wordpress.com/


THE FINE PRINT

Things to consider before registering

Why be involved?

The bitsFestival believes that Brisbane is ready for an open-access independent theatre festival. This one-day event is a sampler festival – a preview for larger events in the future – in which you can present your work in front of an audience and your peers for minimal cost. Be part of a new fringe event at its inception!

So far, four Brisbane venues have offered to host performances as part of the bitsFestival – Top Floor, The Fringe Bar, The Joynt and The Book Nook. They will not be charging you venue hire and we will not be charging our audiences this time around. This is fringe theatre, it is not curated, and we are excited to see the kernels of genius that emerge.

What kinds of shows will appear in bitsFestival?

Everything you can imagine and probably a bit more.

We are calling for pro-active artists to present bits of their work, which could take the form of: a short completed performance, extract or scene from a past or future planned production, work in progress, workshop, demonstration, explorations of an idea in public, or simply a discussion of an idea.

Will I be accepted into the bitsFestival?

Remember this is an open-access event. MEANING no one selects the shows that end up in the festival. Instead we hold a lottery, leaving the program to chance! But if you don’t get pulled out of the hat we encourage you to find your own venue (and we are happy to advise on this)!

What do I need to know?

While we will not curate or censor your shows, there are a couple of limitations for you to be aware of:

ONE-DAY ONLY: This is a one-day festival, which means that you will only be performing your piece once and that you will be sharing the venue with a number of artists.

FOUND SPACE: You will be performing in non-traditional spaces, from bars to bookshops, with little technical equipment and minimal set-up time. This is a great opportunity to perform in unusual venues and use the space in creative ways. Check out the venues beforehand to capitalise on this aspect.


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FESTIVAL: Get into the festival spirit by getting back to basics. Because you will be sharing venues with many other performers we ask you to keep it simple. Storage space is very limited and you will have a maximum of 10 minutes (yes, that’s ten minutes) to load in and set up your show before each performance. The simpler the technical elements are, the better it is for everyone in the festival. Remember, there will be no technical rehearsal! Take the advice of Jodi from The Joynt, and only bring what you personally can carry in one trip.

FREE EVENT: The bitsFestival will be free to the public. The venues will not be charging you to hire the space and we urge you to keep your production costs to a minimum, as it is unlikely that you will be making a (financial) return on your investment. We suggest that you place a bowl, or a hat at the door, with a sign inviting your audience to donate a gold coin.

INSURANCE: Public liability insurance is a fact of life. Venues have the right to sight your insurance certificate before allowing you to perform. The bitsFestival believes that this is an essential element demonstrating your commitment to your professional practice.

What does it cost to be involved?

Each group that registers a performance pays a $25 registration fee. This is non-refundable and is payable upon submission of your application.

How do I register?

Registration forms can be submitted via our website www.bitsfestival.com. Remember that both your registration form and payment must be received before your registration is finalised.

If you would prefer to submit via post or in person, please contact Flloyd at [email protected] or phone 0414 749 739.

What do I get for my money?

For $25 you will receive:

VENUE ACCESS: If you are not drawn out of the lottery, your registration fee will be refunded.

PROGRAMME: We will assign you a timeslot in the programme and advertise your performance on our website.

PUBLICITY: Our marketing team will advertise the bitsFestival as a public event. Venues will also publicise the bitsFestival through their networks. You will be able to share audiences with fellow artists in your venue, however, we also encourage you to publicise your show through your own networks.


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FACILITATION: The bitsFestival volunteers will act as liaisons between yourself and the venue. We will assist with any operational requirements within our capability.

In short, while this is a “do-it-yourself” job (hence the astronomically low fee), it is DIY with a little help. The bitsFestival volunteers will coordinate registrations and fit artists into venues. We will assemble the programme and market the event itself. Our team will be available to advise you (within reason) on venue, operational and marketing requirements.


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THE VENUES

Please feel free to check out these venues both before and after registration (they are all open to the public). The bitsFestival team will liaise with the venues on your behalf; please do not contact the venues directly.

If you have more specific questions please contact Sarah at [email protected].

Top Floor

VENUE DETAILSAddress: 99 Elizabeth St, BrisbaneWebsite: Facebook page: TopFloor99Performance Times: 9:30AM – 8PM

Hosting After Party from 9:30PM

PRODUCTION/TECHNICAL ASPECTSStorage: Limited storage spaceDressing Rooms: 2 rooms no running water. Separate bathroom and toiletDisabled Access: No

Sound/lighting equipment:

2 parcans, general lighting (moveable) running off a 4 channel dimmer board5 beams capable of bearing extra lamps.full pa system

Stage space: 3.6 m high x 13 m long x 9 m wide including audienceAudience capacity: 150Seating arrangement:

Chairs can be arranged in different formations, with seating on the floor as well.

Are artists allowed to bring equipment? What are the limitations?

YesNo smoke machinesNo naked flames

Catering: Candy bar


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The Fringe Bar

VENUE DETAILSAddress: Cnr Ann and Constance

Streets, Fortitude Valley Brisbane 4006

Website: www.fringebar.netPerformance Times: 11AM – 4PM

PRODUCTION/TECHNICAL ASPECTSStorage: Only on the day.Access to Running Water:

Yes

Dressing Rooms: Possibly – to be negotiated.Disabled Access: There are two steps into the venue.Sound/lighting equipment:

Basic in house systems. Microphone available. Spots on stage.

Stage space: 49cm high, 2.5m wide, 2m deepAudience capacity: 50 – 80 paxSeating arrangement:

Lounge and bar seating.

Catering: Licensed bar.

The Book Nook

VENUE DETAILSAddress: 173 Boundary Street, West EndPerformance Times: 10AM – 3PM

PRODUCTION/TECHNICAL ASPECTS


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http://www.fringebar.net/

Storage: Small amount on the day.Access to Running Water:

Yes

Dressing Rooms: Room out the back.Disabled Access: Accessed via stairs.Sound/lighting equipment:

2 x flood lamps.

Stage space: Approx 2m x 2m but flexible.Audience capacity: Maximum of 28Seating arrangement:

Chairs, flexible arrangement.

The Joynt

VENUE DETAILSAddress: 48 Montague Road,

South BrisbaneWebsite:Performance Times: 12:30PM – 7:30PM

PRODUCTION/TECHNICAL ASPECTSStorage: Outside Storage bunker 1mx4mx2m also same area

inside. Dressing Rooms: Disabled Toilet can change for and be used for disabled

toilet as well normal Ladies and Gents can change too.Disabled Access:

Sound PA includes Yamaha MG166cx12 channelCrown XLS 402 Power ampJands 920 PaMDV2000 Karaoke DVD

Lighting equipment: 1 meter bar lighting support currently holding Blue/Red/Orange SpotsOnly 240 volt

Stage space: 2.5m x 4mAudience capacity: 40 plus some standingSeating arrangement:

Bar seating

Are artists allowed to bring equipment?

Props and set pieces are only what performer can carry.No smoke machines.


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What are the limitations?

No naked flames

Catering Licensed bar


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