Supported by The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Commissioning Grants 2017 Application Questions Application available online: March 2017 Intent to Apply deadline: April 19, 2017 Application deadline: May 17, 2017 Applications adjudicated: June 2017 Grantees notified: July 2017 OPERA America 330 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10001 212.796.8620 operaamerica.org
2017 Intent to Apply Questions WORK INFORMATION Is the composer a citizen or permanent resident of the United States? [] Yes [] No Date of premiere performance (on or after July 1, 2017, and before August 31, 2020): Total commissioning cost (composer only): Award amount requested: Stage director (if known): Conductor (if known): Designers (if known): Dramaturg (if known): Other: COMPANY INFORMATION Organization: Street Address: City: State: ZIP code: Phone: Website: Is your company a Professional Company Member of OPERA America? [] Yes [] No PERSON COMPLETING APPLICATION Name: Phone: E-mail: [] We attest that to the best of our knowledge the information contained in this application and its attachments is accurate and complete.
2017 Application Questions Please provide concise narrative answers to the following questions. Questions are listed as a guide and are not intended to be limiting. WORK INFORMATION Submit a 150-word synopsis of the opera associated with this application. Outline the theatrical arc of the opera, either as a dramaturgical framework, scene breakdown or storyboard. Why has the company chosen to take on this project? In particular, why is the company drawn artistically to produce this piece at this time? List the cast by role and voice type. Does this work utilize a chorus? If so, of what size? List the orchestration for this work. COMMISSIONING Has the composer s commissioning contract been signed? If not, what is the planned timeline for executing this contract? Please upload a signed commission contract (in PDF format), if available. Commissioning agreement: CREATIVE TEAM Composer biography (up to 150 words) Librettist biography (up to 150 words) Submit a 100-word artist statement from the composer explaining the relationship between her form/style and the content. Why did she choose to tell this story in the operatic form? Describe how the creative team was identified. How does this work build on or depart from their previous creative efforts? (Note: If the composer and/or librettist have not previously written an opera, please explain the company s decision to commission this work from these artists.) Have these artists collaborated with your organization before? If so, on what project(s) and when? Include biographies of any other creative artists involved in this project (e.g., stage director, conductor, choreographer, designers, dramaturg). Bio 1: Bio 2: Bio 3: Bio 4: Bio 5: Bio 6:
BACKGROUND Has this work received developmental support from OPERA America in the past? If yes, please give a brief account of the outcome of the previous project. What is the company s history with new works? How does the proposed project fit into the company s mission and overall artistic goals? Explain whether the opera/music-theater work will be presented as a mainstage, second stage and/or touring production. Describe why the organization selected the venue(s) for performance. ADMINISTRATION Who are the key staff members involved in this project and what are their responsibilities? How will their expertise benefit the project? EVALUATION Describe how the company and creative team will evaluate the work and receive feedback to determine logical next steps for the life of the piece, including what role the producing organization will play. In your description, please include information about methodology and the planned timeline for evaluation. WORK SAMPLES Please offer three high-quality audio/visual examples of the composer s work. Uploaded audio files and links to either audio or video samples are accepted. A corresponding, notated score excerpt must accompany each A/V submission. Applications without work samples will not be advanced for consideration. At least one of the samples must be from a theatrical work for voice(s) and instrumental ensemble. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit excerpts of the work for which funds are requested, if possible. Audio files must be uploaded in MP3 format or hosted on a service like SoundCloud. YouTube and Vimeo are preferred hosts for video links. Please provide passwords for any private sites. Submit a corresponding score excerpt and not a full score. Scores must be uploaded in PDF format. The total time of musical selections should not exceed 30 minutes. Sample 1 Sample 2
Sample 3 Libretto (if available) Explanation (complete, work in progress, scenes, etc.): SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS If there are additional materials (e.g., press releases, program copy, design proposals, etc.) that further illustrate the concept, history and development of the opera to date, they can be uploaded here as one complete PDF file. BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES The composer s commissioning fee is the sole budgetary item eligible for support. To give context to the opera s commissioning expense, please supply the following financial information: Organization s operating budget for current fiscal year: Operating Budget: A copy of the company s most recent audited balance sheet. Balance sheet: Provide a one-page budget overview (in PDF format) for the full production expenses related to this commission. Institutional overhead expenses need not be included. Budget overview: [] I attest that to the best of my knowledge the information contained in this application and its attachments is accurate and complete.