Performing in Gasworks Circus Showdown

Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

Entering Circus Showdown

Gasworks Circus Showdown is Gasworks Arts Park's professional development program for circus and physical theatre artists and one of the only opportunities of its kind in Victoria. We provide a platform for circus performers to develop innovative acts for presentation, culminating in an on-stage showcase in front of a live audience and industry experts. Entries received are shortlisted, and finalists perform in one of two Heats, and if selected, go on to perform at the Finale. Due to the current restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19, postponed dates are subject to Government health advice. The new 2020 dates are: Wed 14 (Heat 1), Thu 15 (Heat 2) and Sat 17 (Finale) October. Gasworks will advise ASAP if further postponement becomes necessary.

What kind of work are we looking for? Entries are invited from individuals or groups of circus performers of all kinds. Acts or excerpts of acts must be between 10 to 15 minutes in duration. Preference will be given to work that has not had a ticketed season in Melbourne. You must complete all sections of the entry form and be available for the rehearsal and performance dates including the Finale show.

You will need to ensure you (and, where applicable, your group) can be available for rehearsals, which will take place the week before the Heats and Finale. As dates may be subject to further changes, we encourage you to apply and we can discuss your availability further. Mon 5 Oct: bump-in (you may need to drop off/rig/test your apparatus) Tue 6 - Wed 7 Oct: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 1 Thu 8 - Fri 9 Oct: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 2

How does the selection process work? Submit your completed entry form along with supplementary materials of your work. We encourage applications for works that are new or in-development, and innovation will be looked on favourably. The selection panel will assess your entry based on: quality of your/your group's skills 1 quality of the act proposed capacity to deliver the act development stage of act career stage of you/your group and benefit of your participation. From the entries received, up to 8 shortlisted acts will be selected to perform at one of the Heats, held over 2 nights. Up to 4 acts selected by the judges will go on to perform at the Finale. Based on discussions with the shortlisted acts, the judges will deliberate and Awards will be announced.

APPLICATIONS EXTENDED UNTIL MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY 31 MAY

Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

Performing in Gasworks Circus Showdown

Information on what happens if your work is shortlisted and selected for presentation.

What value will you receive for participating? Gasworks Circus Showdown provides: opportunities for circus artists to showcase their artistry and skills tangible performance outcomes in a professional venue and supportive environment rehearsal space and time with professional technical staff (including a rigger and a lighting designer) opportunities to hone your craft, make industry connections, learn new business skills, and receive valuable support to develop your work professional photos/videos of your performance and some marketing support Who are the judges? The judges will be drawn from Australia’s professional circus and theatre ranks and details will be announced soon. Previous industry professionals who have participated as judges include Debra Batton, Matt Wilson, Kate Fryer, Andrea Ousley, Elena Kirschbaum, Philip Hayden and Nic Clark. 2 What criteria will the acts be judged on? Each judge will be visible and score the entrants in these key areas: Technique (difficulty, execution - smoothness/speed, any drops or falls) Theatricality (theme, message, meaning, narrative, and how this is supported by your stagecraft and the emotion behind your expressive skills) Development potential (potential for your act to develop into a full length show, with a professional season in future at Gasworks and other Melbourne metro/regional venues) Audience engagement & reaction (emotional response, captivation and attention, applause during and after the act, overall enthusiasm from whole audience) Each shortlisted act will receive: A platform for a live performance showcase, industry networking opportunities, free rehearsal time with a technician, professional photographs and video of your performance, mentoring meetings and feedback from circus industry experts, professional support in lighting design and staging, and an enthusiastic Gasworks audience.

Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020 is generously supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Robert Salzer Foundation.

Awards: The 2020 Awards will include: • Director Award (financial support to hire director for future development) • Showcase Victoria Award (cover fee to attend Showcase 2021) • Travel Bursary ($500 towards travel for Adelaide Fringe season) • Venue Support Award ($500 towards venue hire for Adelaide Fringe season) • Adelaide Fringe Festival Award: free registration for 2021 • Melbourne Fringe Festival Award: free registration for 2021 • NICA Award: 50 hours open training time at NICA • Gasworks Venue Award: 1 week of free theatre hire • Gasworks Marketing Award: marketing/social media workshops with Gasworks Arts Park's Marketing Manager Full details will be announced soon.

3 Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

Your information

* 1. Please enter details for the primary contact person.

Name:

Stage name or group/company name (if applicable):

Address:

Suburb:

State:

Postcode:

Email:

Phone Number:

Website (if applicable):

YouTube or video link (if applicable):

Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

4 About Your Entry

* 2. What is the title of your act or piece? (This can be a working title)

* 3. Which circus skills/apparatus does your work feature? (you can select more than one)

Clowning Stilts

Trapeze Juggling

Balance Straps

Juggling Equilibristics

Hula Hoops Physical comedy

Acrobatics Fire eating, breathing or dancing

Gymnastics Knife throwing

Tumbling Magic

Trampoline Sword swallowing

Aerial silks / Tissu Strongman

Corde lisse Roue Cyr

Rings Adagio

Contortion Aerial Hoop / Lyra

Other (please specify)

* 4. In 150 words or less, please describe the act you are entering. (Tell us what happens on stage - we want spoilers!)

5 * 5. Please provide a brief biography/work history and highlights for yourself, and/or participants in your act (e.g. Have you performed previously, and if so where? Have you studied Circus or Physical Theatre? Do you have any career highlights to date?)

* 6. Have you previously submitted an entry to Gasworks Circus Showdown?

Yes

If yes, which year/s did you submit your entry?

7. Have you previously performed in Gasworks Circus Showdown?

Yes

If yes, what year did you perform and what was the name of your work?

* 8. What makes your act unique and engaging for an audience?

6 Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

Technical Information - overview

Please note that if shortlisted, you will be required to attend at least one daytime lighting plot (with a maximum cap of 10 lighting cues) and one evening rehearsal. We will provide a technical operator, lighting designer and rigger.

If your technical information is still being confirmed at the time of completing this form, please provide as many details as you can or write TBC in the blank text field. If your entry is shortlisted to perform in one of the Heats, we will need final details by at least 4 weeks before the date of your Heat.

* 9. Number of artists performing in your act

* 10. Names of artists performing in your act

* 11. Contact numbers and emails of artists performing in your act

* 12. List of equipment/apparatus that will be used in your act

* 13. Check the box below to confirm the following:

You will bring the equipment/apparatus listed in question 12 to rehearsals/performances

* 14. Estimated length of your act (15 minutes is the maximum)

15. Number of live musicians performing in your act (if applicable)

16. Number of musical instruments each musician will use in your act (if applicable)

7 * 17. Rehearsals will take place the week before the Heats and Finale.

Mon 5 Oct: bump in (you may need to drop off/rig/test your apparatus) Tue 6 - Wed 6 Oct: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 1 Thu 8 - Fri 9 Oct: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 2

Check the box below to confirm you understand this commitment to rehearsals:

I will make myself / my group available for one of the available rehearsal days and nights

Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

Technical Information - further details

* 18. Does your act require any clean up? (e.g. water, paper, glitter, food, dirt, etc)

Yes (please provide details)

8 * 19. Are you able to supply people to assist with clean up during the change-over between acts?

N/A - I/we do not require any clean up

Yes, I/we can provide assistance

No, I/we cannot provide assistance

* 20. We aim to keep change-over between acts to less than 2.5 minutes. If your act requires a lot of set/props, are you able to supply people to assist setting up during the change-over?

N/A - I/we do not have a lot of set/props

Yes, I/we can provide assistance

No, I/we cannot provide assistance

* 21. Does your act contain any of the following: nudity, offensive language, fire/naked flame, guns/knives/swords, tap dancing or other actions that may cause damage to the stage surface (ie. roller blades with lots of skidding, large props thrown about onstage, German Wheel, etc), other

Yes (please specify details)

* 22. If your act does contain a potential risk or hazard (e.g. fire/naked flame, guns/knives/swords, liquids spilled on stage) do you have a risk assessment prepared?

N/A - my act does not contain a potential risk or hazard

Yes

No, but I will prepare one if my act is shortlisted

9 Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

Technical Information - for acts that include aerials only

If your act does not include aerials, you can skip this page.

Please note: The Gasworks circus rig is a fixed rig. Aerial apparatus is dead hung and tagged out into the wings. If you require the means to change aerial points mid-way through the act, please get in contact with Gasworks to discuss on 03 8606 4200 or email our Head Tech at [email protected]

23. How many people will you have up in the air at the same time (whether on the same point or on different points)?

24. The Gasworks circus rig has a maximum point load of 1.9 tonne. If your aerial performance has a dynamic load that exceeds the appropriate safety factor, are you able to adjust your performance to suit?

Yes, I/we can adjust our act to suit the Gasworks rig

No, I/we cannot adjust our act to suit the Gasworks rig

10 25. Regarding Dynamic Load, does your act include any of the following: Swing - please specify how much swing you are expecting (ie. 1m from start to end);

Spin - how fast (very fast, fast, medium slow) and is it combined with swinging or just spinning alone;

Sudden drops or stops - distance of drop (ie straps with a drop of 3m to a sudden stop)

Gasworks Circus Showdown 2020

Marketing Materials

You must submit high quality images and copy (show text) to complete your application. If you are unsure about this section or need more time to collate your materials please call Gasworks on 8606 4200 and ask to speak with the Marketing Manager, Devon.

You can either upload files below or provide a Dropbox link. Images Minimum 3 images must be provided. Images should clearly communicate your show and be at least 300 dpi, 11 in focus and suitable for print (minimum 2Mb in size). Be sure to include at least one portrait and one landscape image.

Marketing Blurb 50 words This text should clearly communicate your act's points of interest and difference. Think about your ideal audience and what would draw them in when you write this.

Video Please provide either a Dropbox/Youtube/Vimeo link to high quality footage of your show or previous show (if you have it). If you do not have video don't worry! All finalists will receive video of their performances in the Heats.

26. Portrait Image