How can I participate in the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival?

There are two ways for a production company to participate in the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. You can either be a Festival Production or an Independent Production (see details below). The Festival takes place during the first full fortnight of May each year with the 2009 dates being 4th to 17th May. The festival is for men and women of all ages, regardless of their sexual orientation. It is open to anyone who shares our commitment to establishing gay (or gay related) theatre as a valid artistic expression. It is open to all audiences.

How do I process my application?

All productions, including scripts, must be submitted in advance and approved by the Artistic Director before they can be included in the Festival Programme. Programme submissions deadline for 2009 is Monday, 1st December 2008. The programme may be decided in advance of that date if the standards of submissions are satisfactory. The Festival particularly welcomes new writing projects and the Artistic Director may act as a Dramaturg in script and character development, if both parties agree and resources allow. In this context script outlines and drafts are submissable.

The Festival must not be used in any way publicly as an endorsement of a production, unless it is an official production selected for inclusion in the festival programme

What kind of work is included in the programme?

Productions must reflect the festival criteria in order to be considered for inclusion. These include works by a gay author, that have a gay character, theme or relevance, or that deal with issues that help build an understanding of how gay culture and lifestyles are perceived or assessed.

What are the logistics?

Performance schedule and locations are by agreement with the Artistic Director, whose aim is to present the maximum range of theatrical performances over the fortnight. The Artistic Director is in charge of shaping the entire programme and his decision is final.

The festival is staffed mainly by professionals who volunteer their services to companies. Each production is marketed and promoted to the same degree as any other. You will be invited to take part in publicity events and your cooperation is expected. Assistance is given in relation to technical needs subject to resources allowing and provided reasonable notice is given.

Accommodation is provided solely for visiting actors and essential crew. Such accommodation will usually be for a maximum period of seven nights commencing one day prior to the first performance. This will be agreed in advance of your final acceptance.

If I am accepted what happens then?

The Administrative Director will issue a contract outlining the dates of your performances and the venue at the earliest possible date in the New Year. On acceptance of these terms and conditions (by all participants) the final programme is agreed. Only on arrival at the festival, with your complete production, will the festival assume the financial arrangements agreed and you will then become either a Festival or Independent production as per your contract.

Cancellation of any production after 1st March 2009 incurs a full liability on behalf of the production company for all costs incurred by the Festival in relation to the presentation of the production in Dublin, including venue hire, advertising and accommodation charges.

Can I pick my own venue?

Every effort is made to secure the best venues available in Dublin and to ensure a contrasting programme to cater for a wide range of tastes. Venues are hired and allotted solely by the Festival. In exceptional circumstances, venues might be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control and should this occur, the Administrative Director will notify you and a similar venue in relation to facilities and costs will be acquired for your production. Your signed agreement is a contract agreeing that you are invited to participate in the festival and it is your acceptance of the times and dates stated therein. The venue (or replacement venue) is also accepted and can not be conditional

How many performances will I do?

The festival is limited to seven main performance venues per week – some holding double bills – i.e. 2 contrasting or similarly themed productions. The maximum number of performances allowed is 7 - Monday to Saturday inclusive (including a possible matinee). The number of performances may therefore be limited or the production may become part of a series of performances in the same venue. Some performances may be confined to a single performance, to matinees or late night presentations. If you are on a ‘double bill’ your cooperation with the other production company is a condition of your inclusion in the programme. In the event of any dispute the Artistic Director’s decision is binding on both companies. You are also invited to present a maximum 5 minute piece from your production in the Gala night and Awards event on the final night of the festival.

Do I have to produce a programme or promotional material?

Only the festival programme can be sold or distributed at each venue. You will be allocated one or two pages in the official programme and are expected to provide copy, graphics, biogs and photographs of your production on or before 28th February 2009. You may acknowledge individual sponsorship on this page by way of credit or if space allows, a logo.

Companies are welcome to produce their own promotional material provided the current Festival logo appears prominently on all material produced. All published material must be agreed with the Administrative Director prior to publication.

Companies are also expected to assist in promoting their own productions.

What about sponsorship?

You are free to attract your own sponsorship and the Administrative Director will supply you with letters to support grant applications etc. Festival corporate sponsors are not to be contacted by participants for additional sponsorship of individual productions or events without the permission of the Festival. The Festival has a stated policy not to solicit sponsorship from establishments or companies in the sex industry. You must clear any such contacts in advance with the Festival. If your production attracts sponsorship generated by the Festival, then an additional financial allocation to your box office entitlement may apply. Alternative arrangements e.g. an after-show venue other than the Festival Club are also not permissible.

What about ticket prices?

The Festival sets the ticket prices at an accessible and concessionary rate. All ticket prices are inclusive of a box office booking fee. Complimentary tickets are strictly by application to the festival for legitimate purposes only. All ticket bookings can be made through the Festival Box Office (and in some cases at the theatre). Monies from concessions or for multi attendance will be divided accordingly – the Administrative Director will supply each company with a print out of all monies at the end of each production week. Box office information will not be provided during the run or before the performances in order to maintain the confidentiality of the production company’s business.

Companies must comply with the festival’s ticket pricing arrangements.

How is the box office divided in a double bill?

The ‘company element ‘of the box office surplus is divided between the companies performing on the night in a double bill (usually 2 approx one hour productions). This may be calculated on a pro rata basis either to take into account the number of performers in each production or the duration of the performances. This is agreed in advance with all parties.

What about public liability?

Companies must insure their productions and indemnify the Festival from all responsibility for accident, injury, loss etc. as a condition of acceptance into the Festival. The Festival also undertakes to take out its own insurance cover.

What are the terms of participation?

Production Companies can opt to be either a Festival Production or an Independent Production.

What about Awards?

The Festival REWARDS companies through a small scheme adjudicated by the Artistic Director. Nominees are proposed for the Oscar Wilde Award for outstanding achievement in new writing (plays written post 2000), for the Hilton Edwards Award for outstanding achievement in an aspect of production, and for outstanding achievement in performance by a male and female actor, we present two Michael Mac Liammoir Awards. These are designed to acknowledge excellence and are not to be interpreted as a competitive event.

How should I decide to come to Dublin?

Do your homework. We will provide you with realistic cost outlines and provide much support. It is possible to get here on a small budget particularly if air fares are purchased in January.

The Festival Directors, Committee and Volunteers will make you very welcome. They commit enormous amounts of time and energy prior to your arrival to promoting your production and to ensure good audiences. There will be people to assist you with your realistic needs and whatever back-up is available to the festival is freely and generously given to participating companies.

There is a great opportunity to network and gain knowledge. The after show festival club every night is where you can mix with audiences and participants. The Academic Seminar in Trinity College (on the middle Sunday) is a highlight in that it is seeking to make a significant contribution to the recognition and definition of gay culture by drawing on the contributions of leading international academics. The Gala night (on the final night) is a night of celebration of the achievements of all participants.

You will be assured of a warm welcome to Dublin which has now established itself as a unique centre of excellence in International Gay Theatre.