Overview
The Victoria Playhouse (VPI) is excited to extend an invitation to independent theatre companies, theatre artists, and/or producers to submit a proposal to present a theatrical production as part of our 2025 summer season. We are offering an incentive guarantee to enable artists to develop and present their ideas in the historic Victoria Community Hall. This project is funded in part by Innovation PEI’s Encore! Developing Engaging Content grant.
Background
VPI has produced more than forty years of professional theatre emphasizing contemporary Canadian comedy and drama. The Playhouse audience is a diverse mix of full-time Island residents, summer residents and tourists. We aim for our programming to appeal to a broad range of tastes, presenting work that entertains, surprises and moves our patrons. In 2024, we offered a limited season of mostly music while we considered new approaches to continue to engage audiences. We are ready to begin our return to offering a more diverse theatrical lineup for the 2025 season.
This year we are offering an innovative approach that we hope will encourage great ideas and new creative partnerships within the Island’s theatrical arts community. To do so, we are sharing this request for proposals to be a part of our 2025 summer season.
The deadline for the expression of interest is December 31, 2024. Submissions should be emailed to “admin@victoriaplayhouse.com”.
RFP (Request for Proposal) Process
Step 1: Expression of Interest
The applicant will submit a brief overview of their theatrical production. The expression of interest must be no longer than five pages in total and address the criteria outlined below.
Step 2: Shortlisting
The selection committee will review the expressions of interest and create a shortlist.
Step 3: Full Application Package
The shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide a more detailed production plan. During this time, there will be an opportunity for applicants to meet with the selection committee and receive assistance with the development of the complete production plan.
Step 4: Final Selection
The selection committee and Playhouse Board will determine a successful applicant.
Expression of Interest Criteria
The prospective Independent Producers (IP) will:
- provide the title and description of the production and names of the currently known key players involved (artistic and administrative) along with a detailed outline of the work or theme, or the completed script if available;
- describe the rationale for the work, and why it is relevant in a diverse, inclusive culture;
- describe the work in terms of anticipated audience engagement;
- outline any innovative thinking regarding potential partnerships that could enable the work to be shared and marketed to diverse audiences;
- be responsible for all areas of their production including providing a stage manager;
- provide an overview of all anticipated scenery, props, costume requirements;
- provide a simple set and lighting concept; and
- include a preliminary budget overview.
The production will:
- feature a maximum of four actors; and
- ideally have two acts with an intermission.
As part of this expression of interest, prospective IPs are asked to describe how the proposed play/presentation aligns with both the history and vision of the Victoria Playhouse. As such, we encourage submissions that reflect an understanding of the breadth and depth of professional theatre on PEI, as well as an appreciation for innovation. We welcome and encourage expressions of interest from diverse communities.
Role of the VPI
The Victoria Playhouse (VPI) will:
- provide some rehearsal space through June to be negotiated with the IP;
- provide one sound/lighting technician and one backstage crew member for all performances, and 3 days of tech/dress rehearsals, and load-ins;
- provide box office/ticketing services, front of house services, and concession; and
- share marketing services as negotiated with the IP.
Financial Arrangements
- The VPI will pay a guarantee of $12,000 for 12 performances between July 1 and August 31, 2025 with specific dates to be negotiated with the IP; and
- After $24,000 in NET sales the IP and VPI will split the proceeds 50/50.
Schedule for RFP Process
- Call for Expressions of Interest – December 5, 2024
- Questions/Clarification Phase – December 5 to December 29, 2024
- Contact us at “admin@victoriaplayhouse.com”
- Deadline to Submit Expressions of Interest – December 31, 2024
- Review of Expressions of Interest – January 1 to January 13, 2025
- Selection of Shortlist – January 14, 2025
- Meet with Shortlisted Applicants – January 15 to January 25, 2025
- Deadline for Shortlist Applicants to Submit Final Proposal – January 31, 2025
- Announcement of Selected Theatrical Production – February 3, 2025