New College Theatre and Agassiz Theatre
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications for fall 2008 productions will be accepted in April/May.
Preliminary application due: Monday, April 21 (by 9am)
Final application due: Thursday, May 1 (by 9am)
Interviews: Monday, May 5
Applications for spring productions were accepted in November.
OPERATING GUIDELINES
The Office for the Arts (OFA) welcomes applications for the New College Theatre (NCT) and Agassiz Theatre from undergraduate student theatrical organizations, as well as independent student producers.
The OFA encourages many types of proposals, including those that are traditional in nature. In addition, we welcome applications for fresh, theatrically based projects that
- nurture student work of high quality;
- promote multidisciplinary and collaborative work;
- deepen learning in the undergraduate arts community through attention to creative processes as well as interaction with theater professionals and faculty in related fields;
- foster the creation of new works for the stage.
ELIGIBILITY
The NCT and Agassiz Theatre are available for use by Harvard undergraduates.
Faculty and graduate student projects that provide learning opportunities
and/or undergraduate participation are also welcomed.
SCHEDULING
Available term-time weeks are listed on the NCT/Agassiz application. Applications
will be reviewed by a committee that includes students and OFA staff.
Applicants will be interviewed by members of the review committee shortly
after the application deadline. Among the committee's considerations
in awarding use of the theatres will be the clarity of the vision expressed
in the application, and the level of commitment and craft of the student
production team to realize this vision.
PRODUCTION BUDGETS
While many theatrical traditions at Harvard are well established and
self-sustaining, the OFA recognizes that some productions, by independent
producers, or recently established organizations, may have few resources
at their disposal. OFA production subsidies up to $6500 for these productions
may be available for theatrical productions depending on the scope of
the production and the availability of other funding sources (including
ticket revenue and student group treasuries). The production subsidy
will not be more than is needed for a production to balance its budget.
Any net profit from ticket sales associated with OFA subsidized productions will go to replenish the OFA theater fund in order to support future student endeavors.
PROFESSIONAL/GUEST ARTIST FEES
The Office for the Arts encourages student interaction with professionals
(directors, designers, combat coaches, etc.) at the NCT and Agassiz
Theatre and will consider requests to fund these engagements. Proposals
for guest artist funding should be sent in advance, under separate
cover, to Jack Megan, Director of the Office for the Arts at Harvard,
74 Mount Auburn Street (megan@fas). Highlights of the proposal should
be included in the "Project Summary" section of the application form.
Include in this proposal information regarding the guest artist's credentials,
history, and current work. Be sure to detail the guest artist's involvement
in the proposed production, how his or her work will benefit students,
the length of the residency required to fulfill the stated goals, and
the anticipated fees.
CONSIDERING THE RIGHT VENUE
New College Theatre
Seating chart
Students submitting proposals for New College Theatre productions may
arrange a tour of the space by contacting Dana Knox, Production Coordinator
of College Theatre, at danaknox@fas or 495.8727.
The NCT facility includes:
- Proscenium stage
- Capacity: 256-284 seats depending on configuration, including 8 wheelchair locations
- Proscenium stage: 41'-6" wide; 27' deep; variable height to approximately 25'
- Orchestra pit that plays at three positions
- piano
- state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems
[more info and links to stage plan and tech specs to come]
Agassiz Theatre
Seating chart
Agassiz House, which houses the theater as well as other facilities,
was built in 1904 and is now operated by the Radcliffe Institute. Radcliffe's
support of undergraduate theater dates back to 1884, when the Idler Club,
an all-female theatrical group, was founded. Eugene O'Neill, Philip Barry,
Arthur Kopit, Stockard Channing, Peter Sellars and John Lithgow are among
those who got their start on its stage. Professor William Alfred once
said, "Agassiz Theatre is the nursery of every little theater in
America." Approximately 750 undergraduates are involved in Agassiz
Theatre productions each year and thousands more attend its productions.
The Agassiz Theatre facility includes
- Proscenium stage
- Capacity: 336
- piano
[Links to stage plan and tech specs to come]
