The TEAM is offering two “Devising Within a Democracy” workshops this fall. On November 14, the TEAM artists who brought you RoosevElvis, Libby and Kristen will lead a workshop focused on character creation. Then on December 3, Reconstruction co-directors Rachel and Zhailon will lead a devising workshop focused on directing and facilitating the devising process. Learn more here.
We at the TEAM would like to extend our care and love to all who are being impacted by the spread of COVID-19. We are in awe of the generosity and resilience that our theatrical community has displayed during this time. There have been many resources shared and wondrous creativity displayed across social platforms. Below, we have shared some resources that might be beneficial to all of you in our community.
PAAL COVID Emergency Fund for Artists with Families: PAAL is creating an emergency fund to help artists with families who are suddenly unemployed. Consider donating to this organization and helping parent artists. Also, if you’re home with young children, PAAL is offering virtual dance classes and storytimes, led by theatre artists. Find out more here.
Actors Fund Emergency Assistance: The Entertainment Assistance Program functions as an entryway and guide through The Fund’s many programs when you’re facing personal or work-related problems.
No Neighbors in Need NYC: This is a quick guide for New Yorkers to contribute to the fight against the Coronavirus, and to help neighbors in need.
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund: The Arts Administrators of Color Network is offering funds for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists and administrators who have been impacted by COVID19 nationally.
The Indie Theater Fund COVID19 Emergency Grant: The Indie Theater Fund is offering $500 rapid relief grants to indie theater companies and artists in need due to closings around COVID19.
COVID19 Freelance Artist Resources: This is a crowd-sourced shared Google Doc with resources on preparation, emergency funding, health, and mental health resources and more.
Artist Relief Tree: This fund is set up to support artists, particularly freelance artists who have been impacted by the global health crisis. If you have the means, consider donating.
We have two exciting workshops to catch this January. On January 23rd, Producing Director Alexandra Lalonde and Di Glazer will discuss contracts and collaboration agreements in our Self-Producing for Artists & Ensembles.
The TEAM’s signature workshop Devising Within a Democracy will be back for a 2-day workshop on January 24th and January 25th, led by TEAM company members Rachel Chavkin and Libby King.
The TEAM has 5 exciting workshops that you can register. This fall, our “Devising Within a Democracy” workshop returns and will be taught by TEAM member Libby King and collaborator Zhailon Levingston. Learn about the TEAM’s unique collaborative writing process.
We also have 4 “Self-Producing for Artists & Ensembles”. In this series, TEAM Producing Director Alexandra Lalonde and an industry guest will review topics on the business side of making and sustaining your work.
June 22:Devising Within A Democracy with Artistic Director Rachel Chavkin 12pm-4pm, 520 8th Avenue, Manhattan All the good stuff will be covered, including suggestions to move from intellectual or thematic ideas to dynamic theatrical moments, ways to generate material through different assignments, cultivating an ensemble bond and navigating emotional waters amidst a process, writing on your feet, strategies for editing as a group, and bridging into the editing and synthesizing process.
We’re excited to announce workshops that the TEAM will be leading this fall – register now!
Devising Within a Democracy
Modeled on the TEAM’s own unique creative process, this 4-hour workshop gives participants insight into a mini devising process, providing tools and strategies for solo and group creation, working through delicate issues of collaboration and authorship, and bridging into the editing and synthesizing process. Perfect for artists of all levels of experience! Learn more.
Sunday, Nov 18
10am – 2pm
Theatre Lab, 357 W. 36th St, 3rd Flr.
Registration: $100
This session has been cancelled. Please see below for our next DwD workshop instead!
Thursday, December 13
7pm – 10pm
Registration: $100
Taught by Artistic Director Rachel Chavkin
Our self-producing series, led by the TEAM’s Producing Director Alexandra Lalonde and industry guests, continues this fall with workshops about the business side of making and sustaining your work. Each two-hour session is a peer-to-peer discussion over drinks–your registration fee includes beer and wine provided by the TEAM.
OPERATING BUDGETS
Tuesday, November 27 Monday, Nov 26 7-9pm ART/NY South Oxford Space, Brooklyn, Studio G New York Theatre Workshop @ 79 E. 4th St
Allie and guest expert Jeremy Blocker will lead a 2-hour peer-to-peer conversation about building operating budgets for small companies. How does your operating budget reflect your mission and values? How do you represent the full scale and impact of your work in a spreadsheet? How do you present your operating budget for funders? With participants we will discuss these topics and more. We’ll share experiences from the TEAM’s own history, and solicit your questions in advance of the workshop to help guide our discussion.
Jeremy Blocker began his tenure as Managing Director at New York Theatre Workshop during the 2013/14 Season and has overseen more than twenty productions, stewarding the growth of NYTW’s annual operating budget from $4.5 million to $6.5 million and significantly increasing the Workshop’s reserve funds to secure the financial future of the organization. He also led the effort to create NYTW’s most recent strategic plan which has seen an expansion of the season to five productions, a 200% increase in artist compensation over the five year plan, the launch of a paid, year-long 2050 Administrative Fellowship, the renovation of NYTW’s 4thStreet Theatre and the launch of the NEXT DOOR@NYTW series. Prior to arriving at NYTW, Jeremy served as the first Managing Director of Ars Nova, New York’s premiere hub for new talent, where he produced six world premiere productions including the Obie Award-winning Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, seven festivals, and dozens of concerts, readings and workshops. He has also previously served as Director of Individual Giving at Manhattan Theatre Club, Development Associate for Capital Projects at Atlantic Theater Company, and Producing Director of Babel Theatre Project, which he co-founded. Jeremy is an Assistant Adjunct Professor of Theatre Management and Producing at Columbia University’s School of the Arts and holds a BA from Harvard University and an MFA from Columbia.
Tuesday, December 11 7-9pm ART/NY South Oxford Space, Brooklyn, Studio B
Allie and guest expert Anna Frenkel will lead a 2-hour peer-to-peer conversation about fundraising from individuals for small companies. Together, we’ll discuss personal appeals, crowdfunding, benefit events, and cultivating and maintaining donors. We’ll share experiences from the TEAM’s own history, and solicit your questions in advance of the workshop to help guide our discussion.
Currently the Director of Development at Atlantic Theater Company, Anna Frenkel was previously part of the fundraising teams at Signature Theatre, The Public Theater, and MTC. She holds an M.A. in Performing Arts Admin from NYU and a B.S. in Computer Science from SMU When not at the theater or schmoozing donors, she plays competitive pinball.
The TEAM has added another Devising within a Democracy workshop in June, this time taught by Artistic Director Rachel Chavkin. Click here for more information!
Devising Within a Democracy
In June, the TEAM will be bringing our Devising Within a Democracy workshop back to NYC! Modeled on the TEAM’s own unique creative process, this workshop gives participants insight into a mini devising process, providing tools and strategies for solo and group creation, working through delicate issues of collaboration and authorship, and bridging into the editing and synthesizing process. Perfect for artists of all levels of experience! Learn more.
**NEW**
Wednesday, June 13th
7 – 10pm
Registration: $100
And there’s still time to register for our second Self-Producing Workshop!
Our self-producing series, led by the TEAM’s Producing Director Alexandra Lalonde and industry guests, continues this spring with two more workshops about the business side of making and sustaining your work. Each two-hour session is a peer-to-peer discussion over drinks–your registration fee includes beer and wine provided by the TEAM.
Back by popular demand, Rachel will lead a director-focused workshop on April 9 on ensemble creation, covering tools and strategies for generating content, the editing process, and navigating the murky waters of collaboration and authorship.
Directing for Ensembles and Devised Work
Sunday, April 9 5pm-9pm Registration: $100
ART/NY South Oxford Space
138 South Oxford Street, Fort Greene (map)
And our self-producing series, led by the TEAM’s Producing Director Manda Martin and industry guests, continues this spring with two more workshops about the business side of making and sustaining your work. Each two-hour session is a peer-to-peer discussion over drinks–your registration fee includes your first beer or beverage of choice. Both workshops will be held in Manhattan–location to be confirmed.
Touring Your Work Tuesday, April 18 7-9pm Registration: $30
Manda and Touring Producer Lucy Jackson will share from the TEAM’s 13 years of road-tested experience touring around the country and around the world. We’ll discuss approaching presenters and venues, how to put together a tour rider, what to anticipate in a tour budget, touring fees and box office splits, and the exhilarating gamble of taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Making new work collaboratively—whether you’re a 15 member devised ensemble like the TEAM, or a small group of artists working together on one project—can get tricky when it comes to articulating everyone’s ownership of the final work. With theatreagent Di Glazer from ICM Partners, we’ll look at a template agreement and unpack the how and why of drafting your own. We’ll also take your questions on other kinds of contracts for making and presenting your work, and working with an agent as an individual artist or ensemble.
Classes are intentionally limited to under 20 participants to ensure everyone can participate meaningfully, which means they fill up fast! For more information and to register, visit our Upcoming Workshops page.
Interested in learning more about the TEAM’s process, and how to build your own collaborative projects? Rachel will lead a 4-hour workshop next month for interested parties. Only 18 spaces available – sign up now!
Updated May 27: This workshop is fully SOLD OUT! We’re taking names for a wait list in the event of cancellations at hello@theteamplays.org
Devising Within a Democracy Workshop Saturday, June 7th Noon to 4pm The Spaces @ 520 520 Eighth Avenue, 3rd Floor
Topics covered:
Moving from intellectual or thematic ideas to dynamic theatrical moments
Generating material through physical and written assignments
Cultivating an ensemble bond and navigating emotional waters amidst a process
Strategies for editing as a group
Building Dances
Writing on your feet (and other approaches to improvisation)
Emerging Ensemble Discount
We’re also offering a 15% discount on workshops to young and newly-formed ensembles. To qualify, at least 3 members of the ensemble must be able to attend the workshop together. Requests for ensemble registration should be emailed to hello@theteamplays.org, with “Ensemble Workshop Discount” in the subject heading, and information about your group. All discounts are subject to approval from the TEAM.
This workshop is open to both artists at all levels of experience, ages 18+.