Get Involved with Rising Sun!

2009 Theatrical Season will include a One Act Series (Early Summer), Outdoor Park Performance Series (September) and a (TBA) Published Main stage Performance (Oct/Nov). As well as script & project development, workshops, Company Retreat/Intensive, Staged Readings and more.Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Rising Sun Performance Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships, and contributing new works and revitalized pre-existing work to the national canon. Rising Sun Performance Company realizes this goal by providing a safe artistic home which stimulates risk-taking without limits of genre or agenda. Based in the Lower East Side of NYC, RSP is run by artists for artists to allow them to create their own opportunities instead of their opportunities creating them.

2009 marks the beginning of Rising Sun’s 8th season currently culminating in 35+ productions &
Events since 2001 including the development of 11 world debut plays, 5 Revivals, Numerous
Originals, Short works, the launch of an ongoing musical cabaret series, Free Outdoor
Performances, Children's theatre and recently a successful 11 week run of our current revival hit,
Hellcab which received overwhelming response from critics and audience alike. Rising Sun has showcased the talents of over 100 Theatrical Artists and 8 Bands

• Rising Sun accepts submissions year round for both Ensemble Guest Artist Spots  
• Auditions and interviews are normally held twice a year or as needed.
• Rising Sun often attends TRU Audition Weekend and the Networks Big Audition sessions
• All submissions will be kept on file for at least 1 year.
• Unless otherwise noted, these positions are paid on a profit share basis and are not salaried/non paid.
• Unless otherwise noted please submit all materials via email to submissions@risingsunnyc.com
• While training and experience are important aspects, and are taken into consideration;
• Rising Sun encourage new artists to apply.
• Please see Ensemble Details at bottom for further info

Non-Equity Performers and Unique Talent

• Multi-faceted Performers are a plus (double triple threats, etc), Theatre Background preferred.
• All performers must be willing to be involved in all aspects of the company, and are required to work technical positions through out the season in addition to performing.
• All shows & projects are cast from within company; you will be auditioning for the company NOT a particular show.
• Performers MUST be interested in being part of a lasting and growing theatre community and Ensemble company.
• The commitment level is to the company and not individual productions or performances.
• The Ensemble is NO PAY, but profit sharing is possible based on the success of the season
• MUST be willing to attend monthly company meetings and lab sessions.
• Outside performances and work is encouraged and permitted.

Submission Guidelines: Provide a letter of interest (No generic form letters please), Headshot and Resume.
AUDITION GUIDELINES:
Be Imaginative, Creative and Have Fun - Show us YOU!
Please Prepare:
2 Contrasting Monologues- Contemporary preferred. Original Works encouraged.
1 Song Accapela (Optional)
Prepared Audition Pieces should not exceed 4 Minutes total.
Callbacks usually last about 2-3 Hours, please wear movement/comfortable clothes and be prepared to stay for the entire duration.
Call backs consist of 4 parts
Welcome/Introduction/Information SessionTheatre games/improv and group warm up
Cold reading from selected scripts.
Movement/Dance Combination - - Dancers will be given a full combination & Non- Dancers will be given a actor friendly movement combination
Come
The Apprentice Program
is a tuition based program modeled on the foundation of our existing Resident Ensemble Company, exposing dedicated theatre artists to the inner workings and day to day of a Resident Theatre Ensemble. Apprentices will be exposed to everything leading up to a performance, over 100 hours of classroom work, performance opportunities, and post production work. Apprentices will be a part of a full resident theatrical season on the Lower East side of Manhattan. Program and classes begin in April 2009 and program continues thru November. Email submissions@risingsunnyc.com for an application and further details

Directors and Assistant Directors
(for both Ensemble Company & Guest Artists)

Rising Sun has ongoing need for professional, emerging and student directors for all of our productions. Directors must be willing to work in a collaborative environment. Talent, Creativity, and Flexibility are what we look for.
Submission Guidelines: Provide a letter of interest, Resume and at least one Professional or School reference.

Designers & Set Builders:
Lighting, Set, Sound, Costume & Props.
(for both Ensemble Company & Guest Artists)

Rising Sun has ongoing need for professional, emerging and student designers for all of our productions. Designers must be willing to work in a collaborative ensemble environment. Talent, Creativity, and Flexibility are what we look for.
Submission Guidelines: Provide a letter of interest, Resume, Work Sample(s) and at least one Professional or School reference.  Paid Position/Stipend basis

Writers/Scripts
(for both Ensemble Company & Guest Artists)

Rising Sun produces all types of theatre of all genres and lengths- All types of work is welcomed. Writers retain full rights and credit for all work produced. We also workshop and do table readings as a tool for writers to hear their work out loud and continue their artistic journey.
We particularly look for plays with the following components:

• Small to medium sized cast (4-10 People)
• Unpublished, Unproduced Original One Act Plays – Under 10 to 30 minutes in length
• Easy production values
• Contemporary story lines with interesting twists or themes
• Work that can be developed with our Apprentices & Workshops
• Work for Staged Readings

Possible Pay- Based on success of performances.
Submission Guideline:
Email submissions to Literary@risingsunnyc.com

• Provide a cover letter
• 1 copy of script(s) in word or PDF formats
• Story Synopsis, Cast breakdown, and any other pertinent information.
• Please list if the script has been produced before, where, date, running time, etc

Interns
Arts Administration and Theatre Production/Tech

Admin. Interns will be involved in all aspects of arts administration, Grant research, Grant writing, funding proposals, office organization, promotions, bookkeeping, correspondence, filing, typing, research, phone calls, copying, etc.
Production Interns will be involved in all technical aspects of production. Including Stage Management, Light/RSPC will provide any all letters needed for school credit and letter of reference for future jobs, etc Good for hands on experience, must be willing to work in grassroots type environment. Applicants should have interest in pursuing a career in arts administration or management or Production.
Some weekend/Weeknight hours required. Initiative, dedication, patience, Flexibility and team work is a necessity for these positions.
Time Commitment:
6 & 12 month Internships available
10-25 hours per  week depending on production schedule
Tuesday Nights from 6PM to close of theatre (E. 4th St) (sometimes Midnight) are required
 3-5 hours weekly may be required in home office in Riverdale (230th street)
3-6 Hours monthly may be required at our Storage Facility in Astoria
Flexible hours based on participants schedule- Day or night time hours
Submission Guidelines:
Provide letter of interest (include the type and length of internship you are interested in), a resume and two letters of recommendation.

Ensemble Expectations:  (Guest Artists are excluded from these requirements)

• Ensemble Members have access to free and low cost workshops/training, Creative work sessions, Lab Sessions, Theatre outings, Forums, website profile, and inclusion in a supportive community of peers.
• Ensemble members are expected to carry a part of the responsibility of the financial, artistic and production quality and be committed to the success of the entire season.
• Creative involvement in at least 1 creative project or production per calendar year (As performer, director, designer, writer)
• Completion of 2 Technical/Production Jobs or a Staff Position per calendar year  
• Office Shift Coverage/Work at Horse Trade – Tuesday nights 6PM to Close-  Depends on number of active members- Min of 6/ Max 14 per calendar year
• Active involvement with Fund-Raising, Marketing & Promotions of all shows
• Attendance & participation to a minimum of 8 Lab Sessions per calendar year  
• Attendance & participation to a minimum of 8 Company Meetings calendar per year  
• General support/involvement for production and running needs of company
• Support/mentorship of Apprentice company & its members

Highly encouraged but not required or monitored:

• Actively participate in outreach and volunteerism among the OOB community
• Attendance at performances Showcases of fellow program ensemble members
• Attendance Participation at additional Lab Sessions
• Participation in Annual Ensemble Retreat additional Company Activities
• Ongoing classes/continued training of your craft
• Assistance with additional Technical/staff jobs

Ensemble Members now include
Actors/Performers
Designers
Playwrights
Directors
 
Performance Opportunities:
Workshop of Original Material
One Acts Lab- July
Main-stage Production Oct/November
Auxiliary Projects as possible- Original Works, work-shopping & development of new works, Readings, Festivals, Gigs
 
Programming opportunities:
Able to participate in the Apprentice Workshops and Master Classes (fee based)
Company Retreat and/or Intensive Weekend
Specialty & Master Classes
Lab Sessions
Meetings
Free and discounted Theatre Tickets & Group Outings
Any resources or offerings that the Apprentice Company has