Interested in directing scenes for LOVE/SICK by John Cariani at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre? We are looking for a few directors to direct 2 to 3 scenes for our production. All directors will work with staff member Scott Dunlap, who will assist and provide unity for the production. Each director will receive a stipend. Review the information provided about the expectations for a director at CTC.

GUEST DIRECTOR INFORMATION

General Information

• The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is a community theatre. Our approach is to increase knowledge and skills in the theatre arts through professional guidance. We take an educational approach to our work.

• A creative team will be assigned to your production. We welcome your input. Ultimately, it is the CTC’s responsibility to contract and oversee the creative team. In addition to staff on the creative team, CTC contracts professional set, costume, lighting, and sound designers. Typically, the stage manager is a volunteer.

• It is our responsibility to set the budget for the production and ensure that the production designs are appropriate for our staff and volunteer capacities.

• Production meetings will be coordinated and scheduled by Annie Collins. Additional meetings can be scheduled as needed.

• The CTC Board has approved a code of conduct. It can be found on our website: https://www.theatrecentre.com/volunteer/#codeofconduct

• We do require that all guest directors agree to a background check.

Auditions

• All actors are volunteers. We do not permit actors that are members of Actors Equity to audition.

• CTC has an anti-nepotism policy. Family members of the creative team are not allowed to audition without the permission of the Executive Director.

• We do not allow productions to be pre-cast. However, actors may be invited to audition without the promise of being cast.

• Auditions are open to the public. Special production casting needs are made known within the audition marketing information.

• Typically, an open audition is held on a Monday and Tuesday from 7:00/7:30p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Callbacks are announced on Wednesday and held on Thursday, 7:00/7:30p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

• Preferably the first auditions are cold auditions. If appropriate, monologues or prepared songs may be requested for the first auditions. This information must be included in the audition marketing materials. Scripts may be available to borrow for those auditioning. The director should provide sides to the stage manager or staff to copy with adequate notice.

• We use our ticketing system to register people for auditions. This helps to control the number of people auditioning at a time and provides helpful information about the number of people auditioning.

• The CTC develops the audition form. The form will include information about roles the auditionee is interested in and whether they will accept another role. We ask those auditioning to provide an accurate list of conflicts. Conflicts can affect casting.

• The audition form informs that the actors must agree to a background check. The form also indicates that those on any sex offender registry are not allowed to participate as a CTC volunteer.

• The stage manager and/or staff will be available to assist with auditions and check people in.

Design and Technical Information

• Final designs should be completed one week prior to rehearsals beginning.

• Staff will spike or tape the ground plan on the rehearsal room floor before blocking begins.

• The stage manager will work with the director to compile a prop list. The prop master will set a hard deadline for a final prop list.

• Costume measurements typically take place the first week of rehearsal. Actors may be called during down times to be measured. This will also be coordinated with the director.

• Tech rehearsal takes place the Sunday before opening. It is not unusual to schedule an afternoon and evening tech that Sunday.

• First Dress takes place the Monday before opening.

• Thursday’s Final Dress is usually open to friends of cast and crew.

Rehearsals

• Rehearsals must be coordinated within the facility schedule.

• A rehearsal room will be assigned to a production. Occasionally the rehearsal space is reassigned due to scheduling issues.

• The stage manager typically creates a contact list.

• An initial rehearsal schedule should be distributed at the first rehearsal/cast meeting.

• Updated rehearsal schedules should be distributed to the cast and CTC staff as soon as possible.

• Rehearsals are Typically Sunday – Friday from 7:00 p.m./7:30 p.m. and must stop at 10:30 p.m. Weekend rehearsal may be scheduled as needed and coordinated with the facility schedule.

• A key to the building and an alarm code will be given to the stage manager. The stage manager is responsible to lock and close the building.

• Rehearsals are closed to those not participating in the production.

• Cast’s time should be respected.

• CTC will set up a group Facebook page for the creative team, cast and crew. This should be a primary method of communication throughout the rehearsal and performance process. Directors, cast, crew or anyone associated with the production may not create a separate social media page or account (such as a group chat), particularly those that are not available to the entire production team.

Marketing

• All marketing materials and efforts will be created and managed by CTC. Suggestions are always welcome, but it is CTC’s responsibility to execute all elements of a marketing plan.

• Director or stage manager will provide the Marketing Manager with audition instructions, callback list, and cast list to be posted on Facebook page and website.

• The director or stage manager will provide Marketing Manager with cast and contact list.

• Director will participate in and provide artistic input in off-site publicity photo shoots with professional photographer. (Typically scheduled before a rehearsal but may run past rehearsal start time.) Photos are used for media, social media, eblasts, and playbill. Typically, these photos are taken two weeks before opening and coordinated with the costume designer.

• The director, cast, stage manager, and creative team will schedule to have headshots made with professional photographer at his studio or onsite. (Some may already have recent headshots either in our files or made previously). Headshots are used in playbills and on lobby screens.

• The Marketing Manager may visit rehearsals to shoot photos or videos for social media.

• The Marketing Manager may visit before a rehearsal to shoot video interviews with all or principal characters for social media and eblasts.

• Be available for TV interviews scheduled during week of opening.

• Be available for WUTC (NPR radio) interview to air week of opening.

• Other media opportunities may be scheduled.

• Provide bio for playbill and headshot if you wish to use your own.

• Advise Marketing Manager on cast members to be included on audience poll ballot. (With small casts, all actors can be included.)

• The Marketing Manager will shoot photos during a tech week rehearsal (usually Wednesday before opening).

• Professional photographers will shoot photos during or after a performance. If afterwards, the director provides list of recommended shots.

APPLICATION PROCESS

It is important that you read the document thoroughly and follow instructions.

Following the instructions is an important part of the consideration process.

For priority consideration, complete the Director’s Application and submit it to Scott Dunlap at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre by September 22, 2024. Selections will be made by September 25, 2024. You may submit your completed application in one of the following three methods:

US Mail: Scott Dunlap

c/o Chattanooga Theatre Centre

PO Box 4023

Chattanooga, TN 37405

Drop-Off to our Box Office at our Physical Address:

Box Office Hours: 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday

400 River Street

Chattanooga, TN 37405

Email: Scott@theatrecentrre.com

Please put “Director Submission” in the subject line.

For questions: Email Scott@theatrecentre.com or call Scott Dunlap at 423-654-7223

Part 1 of your application should include the following:

A cover Letter providing a brief introduction as well as a contact information for two theatrical references.

A theatrical resume.

Upon receipt of your application, you will be given a copy of the script. Read through the script.

Part 2 of your application will be:

Read the script and prepare a completed director’s application form. A preview of the form follows. A google doc will be sent with the script that you can complete online.

SELECTION CRITERIA

A committee will make its recommendations regarding submissions based on the following criteria:

Director’s Theatrical Experience:

Like most community theatre, every play we produce is a financial risk. Thus, we must take into consideration any potential director’s previous production experience. This includes but is not limited to directing, assistant directing, stage managing, and acting. For this production there will be a guided process, but there must be some basic knowledge of theatre. First time directors are welcome, but if you have never been through the rehearsal process, please consider volunteering to work on a show at CTC before applying. Applicants should demonstrate a passion for theatre, strong organizational skills (including time management), strong communication skills, the ability to successfully collaborate with a group, willingness to receive and give constructive criticism and a strong sense of respect for others. Potential directors should be available during normal rehearsal times from auditions (November 18 and 19, 2024), along with a possible callback on November 21, through the opening night of the show (January 24, 2025). We will also have scheduled production meetings and development discussions with the staff beginning on or around October 1, 2024.

Director’s Experience working with CTC:

The more prior experience you have working at CTC, the more familiar you will be with our staff, facility, infrastructure, policies and resources. Each theatre has its philosophy and standards of production. Each space has its own spatial limitations and technical quirks. Directors with more familiar faces are more likely to attract potential volunteers who trust and support them. Many of our volunteers are here to learn and have fun, they can’t have more experience than their director. Overall, it is important that our directors understand and appreciate basic theatre etiquette and can communicate and encourage their casts to follow it.

Director’s People Skills:

We are 100% volunteer focused. People come to CTC for many reasons. They love theatre. They love specific plays or roles. They have always wanted to try it. They used to perform in high school or college and want to get back into it. They come to find people with like minds and find a social group. They come to mingle or date. They come because they are lonely. They come to get away and do something for themselves. There are lots of reasons they find us. No matter how talented your vision is, they will determine from their experience with you if they want to participate in the future.

Director’s Application Form:

The form is your chance to sell your vision of the play. The level of preparation, organization and thought that goes into your proposal could be seen as indicative of how you might run a rehearsal as well.