Hungry for the College Market?

The reality is that breaking into the college market is a b^&ch and it takes some tried and true strength to do it. The learning curve is huge to say the least.

If you want more info on taking on the college market check out these great links:

1) My blog article on NACA - http://fringeordie.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html

2) This is the best blog article I've read on booking the college circuit. It's very truthful: http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/articles/college_tour4.html

3) My friends article on NACA (Her name is Jeri Goldstein, she wrote the book "How to be Your Own Booking Agent. I interviewed her for my book and we plan to do some cross promotional stuff once my own book comes out) - http://www.discmakers.com/community/resources/ffwd/2008/CollegeMarket.asp.

4) Derek Silver's (the owner of CDbaby.com) article on the college market was awesome, especially his article on how to create a flyer and postcard for that market - (it's a very different beast). I used all the advice he gave in this article and it was very helpful: http://www.cdbaby.net/college2.

Sort of Fringey Alert: Spirit in the House

Fringe Baby Alert!

Spirit in the House

About Spirit in the House

Comedy writer, playwright, spiritual pioneer, Dean J. Seal, has created a festival in the twin cities that qualifies as a festival that’s sorta fringey. Since he’s the former executive director of the Minnesota Fringe, there are fringe elements to the way the festival is run and therefore it’s good enough to garner Mr. Fringey’s “new fringe baby” status. Although it’s three years old, this year seems like the first year that it’s relatively kink free. Mr. Fringey traveled out and performed in the festival 2 years ago (the exact same time as the bridge collapse) when it ran during the same time as the MN Fringe Fest and to be honest, it was an extremely hard show to market. But, hey it’s only three years old – a mere infant in it’s-sort-of-like-a-fringe years

Save the Date

When: Feb. 27 to March 8th, 2009

Where: Minneapolis, MN - Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church

What: Show to promote Interfaith Dialogue through the performing arts. It is a way for people to express their spiritual life, learn of other faith traditions, and explore the spirituality of others in a safe environment.

And: Last year there were 30 live shows and four films; this year there will be 20 live shows and 15 films.

Info for Performers

You get: 5 performances, a technician, box office service, and promotional assistance.

Performer Split: 2/3rds of door.

Ticket Prices: $10

Fringe Info

Selection process: Jury/Interview process

Application Deadline: Dec. 15th, 2008

Cost: $25 Application Fee

Additional Costs: $375

More info: Dean Seal at sealtotal@aol.com

Apply

Download application at: www.spiritinthehouse.org

Send to:

Dean J. Seal c/o Spirit In The House
3425 Girard Ave. S.

MPLS MN 55408

It's Sort of like a Fringe Fest Alert! Uno Fest:

It’s a Sort of Fringe Baby Alert!

Uno Fest

About Uno Fest

This isn’t officially a fringe, but it is run by the same people who run the Victoria Fringe Fest – hence the Fringe Baby Alert!. Mr. Fringey applied this year with his show that isn’t very edgy, but has become a PBS special, and he didn't get in – so he’s assuming they are looking for edgy over credentials. They know best what they can sell up there. I have a friend who performed in the festival a few years ago – a show called, “Babylove,” - so I’m assuming they’re looking for something that is a little left of center. Still, it’s the best solo gig around. With performers getting $400 bucks a show and all travel and accommodations paid for it’s the best kept secret in the solo performing universe.

Save the Date

When: May 21- 31, 2009

Where: Victoria BC, Canada – Intrepid Theatre

What: An annual international festival of solo theatrical performance.

Info for Performers

You get: 3 performances, a technician, box office service, and promotional assistance in a 50-150 seat theatre, hotel accommodations and travel expense.

Performer Split: You generally get $400 per show.

Shows: 45-90 minutes in length. Solo shows only

Fringe Info

Selection process: Jury

Application Deadline: December 1, 2008

Cost: $35 Application Fee

Additional Costs: None

Questions: Janet Munsil, Producer (250)383-2663 at info@intrepidtheatre.com

Apply

- Download application from www.intrepidtheatre.com

- Send snail mail application.

Sort of Fringy Dud Alert! The One Festival

Dud Alert!

The One Festival

About The One

In 2007, yours truly was praying each and every morning that ”the one” would come into his life. Like a typical, single, fringe performer who had only experienced bad things on match.com, he turned to the secrets in “The Secret.” Each morning he would rise and say “The One is coming to me now! The One is coming to me now!” Well, a few months later he got a call from a theatre in New York (officially Off-Broadway) that he was officially invited to perform his solo show in “The One Festival,” which takes place at Teatro La Tea. How’s that for karma. Here he was praying for a girl and he gets a festival instead…. And a dud at that. No pay. No audience. But a chance to vie for the best show in the festival. He’s been afraid to post this festival entry on his resume ever since. On the plus side is a fully produced show in New York. If you have a good NYC theatre fan base it might be worth it, if you don’t cringe at the thought of performing with theatre side dishes.

Save the Date

When: April 6-19, 2009

Where: Teatro La Tea Theatre – New Yawk City, NY

What: And annual festival that showcases theatrical solo performances.

And: Accepts 10 original non-published theatrical works (full length and shorts).

Info for Performers

Shows: Solo shows only. Full Length: 45 min – 1hr 15 min. Short Length: 30 minutes or less

You get: 3 performances, a technician and theatre space.

Performer Split: $0

And: Two of the theatrical works produced by the festival will receive $500 cash prize, plus a full theatrical production at Teatro LA TEA at The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center in NYC’s Lower East Side. The audience will be the judges by voting for their favorite play. Only finalists with 75 votes or more will qualify for the cash prize. The performance with the highest votes will be the ONE winner!

Fringe Info

Selection process: Jury w/ DVD, script, etc.

Application Deadline: Feb 13, 2009

Cost: $15- $30

More Info: Veronica Caicedo at 212-529-1948

Website: www.caicedoproductions.com/events.htm

Apply

Snail Mail to:

TEATRO LA TEA

P.O. Box 20673

New York, NY 10009

Attn: Veronica Caicedo