Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMcCallum Theatre's 2003 Open Call Amateur Talent Competition CITY OF PALM DESERT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR THE MC CALLUM THEATRE'S 2003 OPEN CALL AMATEUR TALENT COMPETITION DATE: April 10, 2003 CONTENTS: McCallum Theatre Proposal Recommendation: By Minute Motion, approve a City sponsorship of the 2003 McCallum Theater's "Open Call" amateur talent competition in the amount of$20,000. Funds are available in the fiscal year 2002/03 budget in line item 110-4416-414-3061 and no appropriation is requested or needed. Executive Summary: For the fourth year the McCallum Theater is producing a Valley-wide amateur talent competition for local contestants who demonstrate a flair for performing in the areas of music, dance, and theater and is requesting funding from the City of Palm Desert in an amount of $20,000, which is identical to the financial support given to this competition in 2002. Background: Four years ago the McCallum Theater initiated "Open Call", which is an amateur talent competition for contestants who reside in the Coachella Valley and are not considered professional entertainers. The call for entries for the 2002 competition resulted in the submission of over 1,500 tapes by individuals and/or groups wishing to be considered for participation in the final performance. Eighty acts were selected to participate in live preliminary auditions and 26 acts were featured at the sold out final performance, which took place at the McCallum Theater. This adjudicated competition provides an opportunity for talented individuals and/or groups to showcase their abilities, and the manner in which it is produced has allowed this event, in a few short years, to become an highly anticipated and widely attended activity which generates a great deal of interest and publicity from throughout the Coachella Valley for both the Theatre and other competition sponsors. "Open Call", which is produced by the McCallum Theatre Institute, is one of the six featured component programs developed to serve the community. The City's participation in this competition as a sponsor would enhance the City's image while, at the same time, provide a chance for local individuals and/or groups that might not otherwise have the opportunity to showcase their talent. In addition, the 2003 competition will add a component to allow participants the venue to enhance their audition skills in an effort to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow in areas of live performance. Because of the tremendous interest in this event and the positive effect that its production has on the local community, staff recommends that the City Council approve a sponsorship in an amount of$20,000, which is the funding the City provided for the 2002 event, for the 2003 McCallum Theatre "Open Call" amateur talent competition. Funds are available in fiscal year 2002/03 budget line item 110-4416-414-3061 and no appropriation is requested or required. PATRICIA SCULLY PAUL GIBSON SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANA TREASURER/FINANCE DIRECTOR i) / • ii0,005to SHEILA R. GIL IGAN CARLOS L. 0 EGA ASSISTANT CITY MAN GER/CITY CLERK CITY MANA R CITY COUNCIL/ACTION: APPROVED DENIED RECEIVED OTHER MEETING DATE - - AYES:� NOES: A)r)A-1G ABSENT: /U ID F- ABSTAIN: /V ON E VERIFIED BY: � lle/ Original on File with City 6lerk's Office Approved 5-0, with staff additionally directed to provide appropriate publicity for the 20% discount on event tickets offered to Palm Desert residents upon showing their driver's license. M CITY CLERVS OFFICE a PALM DESF T, CA C ■ 2Cfl3 FEB 24 P'1 2: 24 THEATRE 73000 FRED WARING DRIVE February 18, 2003 PALM DESERT,CALIFORNIA 92260 (760)346-6505 (760 341-9508 FAX W W W.MCCALLUMTHEATRE.COM Robert Spiegel Councilman City of Palm Desert 73-510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Dear Bob: On behalf of the McCallum Theatre, I respectfully request a grant of$20,000.00 from the City of Palm Desert to assist in funding the 2003 Open Call amateur talent competition — a highly visible and popular community outreach program of the Theatre. The McCallum is grateful to the City for it's continuing support to establish this annual talent competition for Coachella Valley residents. Open Call attracts local contestants who are talented in music, dance and theatre — ages 10 to 50 (and above). If the 2002 Open Call was any indication, there is a wealth of hidden local talent this event is instrumental in discovering. One wonders if there is room to e improve on the talent that was brought to the McCallum stage P 9 9 last year. This season, the Theatre will add another educational dimension to Open Call by providing applicants with opportunities to be coached in auditioning techniques. Over the past two years, the need for such coaching has become apparent —to counsel applicants on the selection of material to be performed, attire and makeup, stage presentation and making the audition video required as part of the application. Due to the ticket demand in the past, we will offer two performances of Open Call this year. I am hopeful the City will renew its support of Open Call for 2003, as the event this year promises to be the best one ever. I will be pleased to answer any questions and to provide whatever additional information you may require. Thank you for your partnership, and your consideration of this request. Kindest regar Kaj huresV -Frary Educatio !rector KTF:sh Enclosure I T'S YOUR THEATRE THE MCCALLUM THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT THE BOB HOPE CULTURAL CENTER I. ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION The McCallum Theatre In little more than a decade, The McCallum Theatre at The Bob Hope Cultural Center has established itself as the Coachella Valley's premier resource for arts, culture and arts education. Unique among the desert's cultural institutions, the McCallum was envisioned by its founders as a lively home for the arts — a community resource that would enhance and enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike, by making the performing arts accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. Today, that vision is a reality, and The McCallum Theatre has become a vital year-round part of community life in the desert. The McCallum Theatre is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees, and has established a separate Endowment Board. The Theatre's management includes seasoned professionals who guide day-to-day operations. There are 40 full-time and part-time employees and 400 dedicated volunteers. The McCallum Theatre Institute (MTI) Since 1997, the McCallum has expanded its educational outreach through the McCallum Theatre Institute, the Theatre's education division that has become a vital community resource — introducing thousands of young people and adults to the joys of the performing arts, and fostering their appreciation for artistic expression. The Institute's programs fill a void created by the reduction of tax-based funding in the public schools. The Institute seeks to enhance the role of the arts in individual lives and in the community by inspiring greater awareness of each person's potential for self-expression. Thanks to generous support from outside sources, the Institute is able to offer most programs at no cost to participants. The Institute currently offers six component programs: (1) Aesthetic Education Program in affiliation with the Lincoln Center Institute in New York; (2) "Imagination Station" creative arts summer camp for children and teenagers; (3) "Field Trip Series" that attract more than 16,000 school children and classroom teachers to 16 performances each season; (4) the Palm Desert Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival that increases the awareness of dance as an art form, educates young dancers to the possibilities of dance as a viable career option and builds audiences for dance; (5) Educational Tours that focus on various technical aspects of the McCallum Theatre experience and (6) Community Outreach and Partnerships, such as the City of Palm Desert/MTI-produced "Kurt Wenner: Master Street Painter" project in the spring of 1999, artist residencies such as the recent Twyla Tharp residency at Indio Middle School, and, for the fifth consecutive year in 2003, Open Call—the Theatre's annual talent competition for Coachella Valley residents of all ages over 10 years. II. THE PROJECT Open Call On Sunday, May 16, 1999, The McCallum Theatre and the City of Palm Desert co-produced the first Open Call talent competition for Coachella Valley residents. Hosted by Peter 1 Marshall, the event received accolades and approval that reverberated throughout the Valley — embraced by participants, other residents and media as a resounding success. The Grand Prize Winners of the 1999 Open Call were The Blood Sisters. They have since gone on to become finalists in Ed McMahon's television show, "Next Big Star". Their prize was an opportunity to be the opening act for a regularly scheduled performance at The McCallum Theatre, which took place in May of 2000 at an evening performance by Jack Jones. Open Call 2000 exceeded expectations, filling the Theatre to capacity. Once again, Peter Marshall hosted the competition —this time, with 23 contestants competing in four age groups. The Grand Prize Winners Beyond the Beat received $500.00 in cash. Each of the winners in all categories received cash prizes of$250.00. Seventy-eight tapes were received and 53 acts moved on to live auditions (preliminary competition) before a panel of eight judges from the community, with expertise in the performing arts/entertainment fields. The criteria for judging included: (1) technical ability; (2) stage presence (poise, enthusiasm, attitude, rapport with the audience); and (3) selection of material (appropriateness). Twenty-three acts were selected to compete at Open Call before another panel of eight judges. Competitors rehearsed for two days at the end of May. A highlight of Open Call in 2000 was an original song and dance number choreographed by Ken Prescott and featured all contestants at the end of the show. This "show-stopping" number is now an annual feature of Open Call. The first year's Open Call was produced on a "shoestring" with funds not budgeted; and the Theatre took a financial loss on the event. The event has since grown in terms of awareness and stature among performers and members of the community alike; and with the generous support from the City of Palm Desert and other contributors, the theatre met budget for"Open Call" in 2000. Open Call 2001 was a highlight of the McCallum Season, with more than 100 audition tapes submitted and 27 acts selected to perform before a sold-out audience on June 3rd. The show- stopping finale "The Time of My Life" included a dazzling fireworks display on stage. Open Call 2002 enhanced each participant's educational experience by having auditions and rehearsals at the McCallum Theatre - providing a professional setting with state-of-the-art sound equipment, lighting and the Theatre's stage personnel. Although this change resulted in increased costs, it significantly expanded the learning experience for all participants and made Open Call 2002 a well-rounded educational project. Open Call 2003 In the last week of March 2003, The McCallum Theatre will make contestant application forms available to Coachella Valley residents through the distribution of promotional materials. The age range of applicants is 10 through 50-plus years; and contestants may audition in any of the following categories: MUSIC (voice and/or instrumental, solo or group); DANCE (solo or group); and THEATRE (stand-up comedy, novelty act and dramatic monologue). Age categories are 10 to 15 years, 16 to 21 years, 22 to 49 years, and 50 plus. 2 Applicants must be residents of the Coachella Valley and submit a completed application form and videotape of their entrance performance. In addition, applicants may not receive 50 percent or more of their income from performing, and cannot be an employee of an event producer or an immediate family member of an employee of an event producer. The deadline for entries is May 2, 2003. Then, Kajsa Thuresson-Frary, Director of Education at the McCallum and Michele Gaines, Director& Choreographer will review all videotapes and make the "first cut" of applicants. Open Call was never intended to be a money-making venture; rather, it was created to reach out to the community, give talented residents the opportunity to perform in a professional setting before a live audience, and serve as a vehicle for audience development for the McCallum. It was truly born out of the theme: "It's Your Theatre". This year, in response to the fact that Open Call has sold out for three consecutive years, two shows will be presented — a matinee at 2 PM, and a evening performance at 7 PM. Tickets will be priced as follows: 2 PM performance Premier Orchestra (AA-A) & Mezzanine (Row A), 188 seats - $20 Orchestra - $15 Rear Orchestra - $10 Mezzanine - $15 Balcony at - $7 Admission for children under the age of twelve - $5. 7 PM performance Premier Orchestra (Rows AA-A) & Mezzanine (Row A), 188 seats - $30 Orchestra at - $20 Rear Orchestra - $15 Mezzanine - $20 Balcony at $10 No discounted admission price for children At the 2 PM performance, the audience will participate by voting. Audience votes from the 2 PM performance will carry the weight of one judge's vote (20% of the total vote) in the final performance at 7 PM. Winners will be announced at the end of the second performance only. Cash prizes will be awarded to winning contestants. Ten winning acts in each age category will receive $100; an overall runner-up will receive $300; and the overall winner will receive $600 plus the opportunity to open for a McCallum Theatre headliner during the 2003/2004 season. This year, the Institute will offer a workshop to help participants better prepare for their entry into the competition. The workshop will tackle topics such as choice of material, presentation, tips on how to make your submission tape effective, appearance, effective introductions, and warm-up and focusing techniques. Open Call has proved to be an extraordinary community event with opportunities for local amateurs to be involved in a major production at the McCallum. The Theatre is hopeful the 3 City of Palm Desert will be a partner in Open Call 2003. To that end, the Theatre requests a grant of$20,000.00 to help fund this successful event. III. PROJECT TIMELINE March 1 Contestant application forms into production March 12 Initial press release March 24 Contestant application forms available April 12 Audition workshop April 14 Tickets on sale April 18 Newspaper ad to run April 25 Newspaper ad to run May 2 Deadline for video entries May 19-20 Live auditions (6-9 PM) May 26 Press release announcing finalists May 30 Newspaper ad to run June 6 Newspaper ad to run June 8 Rehearsal for competitors (9 AM —5 PM) June 9-12 Rehearsals (5-9 PM) June 13 Newspaper ad to run June 14 Dress rehearsal and 2 shows, 2 PM and 7 PM 4 IV. PROJECT BUDGET EXPENSE Theatre rental (8 days) $ 10,000 McCallum leadership and staff support (Includes Theatrical Producer) 4,500 Director/Choreographer fee 2,000 Musical Director fee 1,500 Videographer 1,000 Contestant application forms (design and production) 2,500 Paid advertising and newspaper ads 2,500 Backstage technical crew wages 17,000 Stage door labor 1,280 Miscellaneous Performance Needs (Piano, risers, special lighting, special sound, equipment rental, 3,500 artist services, etc.) Box Office labor 300 Front of house labor 550 Utilities and maintenance 1,750 Cash prizes for winners (11 prizes) 1,900 Plaques for winners 550 Flower bouquets for winners & Emcee 575 Catering for judges 300 Photographer 500 Performance Program 400 Miscellaneous (postage, copying, phones, voting ballots) 1,000 TOTAL EXPENSES: $53,605 INCOME Ticket Sales $24,000 Other contributions/sponsorships 29,605 TOTAL INCOME: $53,605 5