Coordinator: Dan Miller aspire@kcactf5.org
The KCACTF/LORT ASPIRE Leadership Intensive is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theatre with a focus on engaging people of color, women, and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. One student from Region 5 will be selected to attend the National Festival in April to engage in topics concerning Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as well as a dynamic weeklong curriculum designed to explore leadership in the performing arts, investigate institutional challenges in the profession, and create professional networking opportunities in the field.
This event is an opportunity for students at all levels of experience who are interested in theatre arts leadership. Students will be asked to prepare a preliminary proposal for a new theatre company. Information will be assembled and displayed at the Festival Expo. At the festival, students will participate in workshops with nationally recognized arts leaders, engage in round table discussions with other participants, and make a mock pitch to potential donors.
Students must complete the entry form below by December 13 and then submit a pdf of the completed part 1 of the project along with the completed mentor approval form (emailed to you upon entry) to aspire@kcactf5.org by January 10 in order to participate.
This event is an opportunity for students at all levels of experience who are interested in theatre arts leadership. Students will be asked to prepare a preliminary proposal for a new theatre company. Information will be assembled and displayed at the Festival Expo. At the festival, students will participate in workshops with nationally recognized arts leaders, engage in round table discussions with other participants, and make a mock pitch to potential donors.
Students must complete the entry form below by December 13 and then submit a pdf of the completed part 1 of the project along with the completed mentor approval form (emailed to you upon entry) to aspire@kcactf5.org by January 10 in order to participate.
The Details:
The event will involve three parts:
These components are described below. All students interested in participating in the Arts Leadership Intensive must submit application for the intensive by December 13, 2019. Application involves submission of TWO forms. The first (the EVENT registration) is at the bottom of this page. After you complete this EVENT entry, you will be directed to the entry page for the FESTIVAL EXPO. You must complete BOTH entries to participate in the event and to display your materials. After student-applicants have submitted application for the Intensive, they may begin working on The Producer Prepares project described below. For questions, please contact Arts Leadership Coordinator Dan Miller: aspire@kcactf5.org
Please Remember: Arts Leadership participants must also register for the overall Region 5 festival-at-large (see link below.)
- You must be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at least part-time at the time of the creation/completion of the project.
- You must pre-submit your application for the intensive by December 13, 2019.
The event will involve three parts:
- The Producer Prepares (submitted prior to the festival) You will bring the completed portfolio to the festival and will have round table feedback discussions with peers and special guest responders. Please see the details below for more information.
- Workshop/Intensive attendance. A workshop schedule will be announced prior to the festival.
- The Pitch. You will have a time slot to pitch your idea to respondents and the other Arts Leadership participants. You should assume that you are the Artistic Director, Managing Director, or Executive Director of your new company.
These components are described below. All students interested in participating in the Arts Leadership Intensive must submit application for the intensive by December 13, 2019. Application involves submission of TWO forms. The first (the EVENT registration) is at the bottom of this page. After you complete this EVENT entry, you will be directed to the entry page for the FESTIVAL EXPO. You must complete BOTH entries to participate in the event and to display your materials. After student-applicants have submitted application for the Intensive, they may begin working on The Producer Prepares project described below. For questions, please contact Arts Leadership Coordinator Dan Miller: aspire@kcactf5.org
Please Remember: Arts Leadership participants must also register for the overall Region 5 festival-at-large (see link below.)
PROJECT - The Producer Prepares
Completed and submitted via PDF prior to festival. You will bring the completed project to the festival for presentation in the Design Expo and will have a 15 minute feedback session with the responders.
Students participating in the ASPIRE Arts Leadership intensive, after submitting their application, will create a new Theatre Company in a city of their own choosing, including the inaugural season of four productions of your choice and present their original ideas using the criteria outlined below. The following project details are to be presented in a three ring binder and be ready for at both the Arts Leadership Intensive and the Festival Expo. The design and creativity of these presentations is at the discretion of the creator. Initial projects are to be submitted via PDF, while onsite presentations are to be displayed in the binder.
All projects should be compiled in a three-ring binder and should include the following sections:
1. Statement of Leadership Philosophy: A Personal Leadership Philosophy states the core values you live by, what you expect of your people, what they can expect of you, and how you will evaluate performance. The philosophy will only be effective if it is read, so keep it short. Ideally, you should have no more than one type-written page. Please consider the following points when developing your philosophy and include them in your statement:
Writing a philosophy is a very personal exercise and should begin with answering some questions about who you are, what you believe in, what you value, your priorities and your expectations of yourself and others.
2. Mission, Vision and Values Statements: In no more than two pages, create a clear mission statement, statement of organization values, and identify the vision you see for your organization. Mission statements describe the overall purpose of an organization: what you do, who you do it for, and how and why you do it. A values statement reflects the core principles of an organization, the deeply held values that do not change over time. It answers the question, "how do we carry out our mission?" Values are what your organization lives, breathes and reflects in all its activities. A vision statement describes an ideal future. It answers the question, "what impact do we want to have on society?" This overriding organization philosophy will be the backbone of your organization and its strategic plan. These statements should be brief and concise, typically no more than one page in length. You are encouraged to research other professional theatres as examples.
3. Season Plan: Here you should provide your plan for your inaugural season. Specifically, you should include your season selection, along with a brief written description (No more than one paragraph) of each selected show. Include a season schedule that shows when each show will be performed. Dream big here.
4. Budget Plan: In one page or less describe how you envision funding your season. What are your spending priorities? Artists, staff salaries/stipends? Marketing? Production values? Community outreach? Why are these spending priorities important to the mission of your organization? What are your ideas for generating income through ticket sales, fundraising or other means?
5. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is a major focus of the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program. Therefore, your proposal must include a 1-2 page statement about how your theatre will incorporate and address this important issue. For reference you are encouraged to research articles and statements about current national conversation on this topic.
Completed and submitted via PDF prior to festival. You will bring the completed project to the festival for presentation in the Design Expo and will have a 15 minute feedback session with the responders.
Students participating in the ASPIRE Arts Leadership intensive, after submitting their application, will create a new Theatre Company in a city of their own choosing, including the inaugural season of four productions of your choice and present their original ideas using the criteria outlined below. The following project details are to be presented in a three ring binder and be ready for at both the Arts Leadership Intensive and the Festival Expo. The design and creativity of these presentations is at the discretion of the creator. Initial projects are to be submitted via PDF, while onsite presentations are to be displayed in the binder.
All projects should be compiled in a three-ring binder and should include the following sections:
1. Statement of Leadership Philosophy: A Personal Leadership Philosophy states the core values you live by, what you expect of your people, what they can expect of you, and how you will evaluate performance. The philosophy will only be effective if it is read, so keep it short. Ideally, you should have no more than one type-written page. Please consider the following points when developing your philosophy and include them in your statement:
- Personal values such as honesty, commitment, respect for others.
- Description of how you will carry out your responsibilities.
- What your priorities are.
- What you expect of your people and how you will evaluate them.
- What your people can expect of you.
Writing a philosophy is a very personal exercise and should begin with answering some questions about who you are, what you believe in, what you value, your priorities and your expectations of yourself and others.
2. Mission, Vision and Values Statements: In no more than two pages, create a clear mission statement, statement of organization values, and identify the vision you see for your organization. Mission statements describe the overall purpose of an organization: what you do, who you do it for, and how and why you do it. A values statement reflects the core principles of an organization, the deeply held values that do not change over time. It answers the question, "how do we carry out our mission?" Values are what your organization lives, breathes and reflects in all its activities. A vision statement describes an ideal future. It answers the question, "what impact do we want to have on society?" This overriding organization philosophy will be the backbone of your organization and its strategic plan. These statements should be brief and concise, typically no more than one page in length. You are encouraged to research other professional theatres as examples.
3. Season Plan: Here you should provide your plan for your inaugural season. Specifically, you should include your season selection, along with a brief written description (No more than one paragraph) of each selected show. Include a season schedule that shows when each show will be performed. Dream big here.
4. Budget Plan: In one page or less describe how you envision funding your season. What are your spending priorities? Artists, staff salaries/stipends? Marketing? Production values? Community outreach? Why are these spending priorities important to the mission of your organization? What are your ideas for generating income through ticket sales, fundraising or other means?
5. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is a major focus of the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program. Therefore, your proposal must include a 1-2 page statement about how your theatre will incorporate and address this important issue. For reference you are encouraged to research articles and statements about current national conversation on this topic.
Evaluation:
Participants will be evaluated via the following criteria:
Applicants for the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program are evaluated based on the candidate’s potential and interest to:
Participants will be evaluated via the following criteria:
Applicants for the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program are evaluated based on the candidate’s potential and interest to:
- Demonstrate artistic and administrative vision.
- Lead and inspire others.
- Collaborate with all members of a team.
- Engage within the community at large.
- Think outside the box and innovate.
- Articulate the theatre's role and relevance in global diversity and current events.
The Pitch
At the festival, participants will each be given an opportunity to pitch the idea for their new theatre to the respondents and fellow participants. The ultimate goal should be to get them excited about this new theatre. Participants are encouraged to talk about what impact this new theatre will have on the local community as well as the broader theatre community. These presentations are an extension of the prepared portfolio and should highlight the elements presented in the Producer Prepares portion. You are selling an idea, so you are encouraged to be creative. Visual marketing and other supplemental materials (like a press release, graphics, brochure, etc.) are allowed but are not required. These pitches should be prepared in advance and well-rehearsed! After your pitch, the respondents will give you brief feedback.
Wrap-Up Details
Any questions may be directed via email to Arts Leadership Coordinator Dan Miller aspire@kcactf5.org at any time. Good luck! We look forward to your participation in the festival.
At the festival, participants will each be given an opportunity to pitch the idea for their new theatre to the respondents and fellow participants. The ultimate goal should be to get them excited about this new theatre. Participants are encouraged to talk about what impact this new theatre will have on the local community as well as the broader theatre community. These presentations are an extension of the prepared portfolio and should highlight the elements presented in the Producer Prepares portion. You are selling an idea, so you are encouraged to be creative. Visual marketing and other supplemental materials (like a press release, graphics, brochure, etc.) are allowed but are not required. These pitches should be prepared in advance and well-rehearsed! After your pitch, the respondents will give you brief feedback.
Wrap-Up Details
- Submit EVENT application via the form below by December 13, 2019.
- After you complete this EVENT entry for ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program, you will be directed to the entry page for the FESTIVAL EXPO. You must complete BOTH registrations by December 13, 2019, to participate in the event and to display your materials.
- Complete part one: The Producer Prepares and email via PDF (and Mentor verification) to aspire@kcactf5.org by January 10, 2020.
- Print and prepare your Management Book in a standard sized, three-ring binder to be brought to and displayed at the festival.
- Prepare The Pitch to be given at the festival.
Any questions may be directed via email to Arts Leadership Coordinator Dan Miller aspire@kcactf5.org at any time. Good luck! We look forward to your participation in the festival.
Please remember, in order to participate in this event you must register for the festival
