Big [Box]

“America is a big box full of surprises.”
--Simone De Beauvoir

CPT is gearing up for the 08-09 Season and the centerpiece of our season – Big [BOX]. Big [BOX] is a successful series that promotes new performance projects by local artists. Big [BOX] offers artists or groups the opportunity to self-produce their own works. Big [BOX] is about whatever the artist wants to focus on. We open the doors and let the artist experiment, charting their own course, making their own decisions, taking their own risks. This year CPT may be producing two sets of Big [BOX]: one in the fall and another in the traditional January/February time. We hope that this allows for more audience support, greater flexibility for interested artists, and increased service from CPT staff. 

Interested artists should email artistic@cptonline.org for an application or simply utilize the below application materials.

Applications for the 2007-2008 Big [BOX] series are no longer being accepted. Production dates and application deadlines for the 2008-2009 season will be announced in early 2008. Click here to download an application (PDF)

Please review the following information if you are considering applying for the 2008-2009 Big [BOX] Series.

How Big [BOX] Works:
How Does Big [Box] Work?
Who gets selected?
Past Big [Box] Artists

How Does Big [BOX] Work?
CPT will select six or more artists/groups to be part of Big [BOX]. Each of these artists/groups gets the James Levin Theatre (upstairs) for one week, Monday through Sunday. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm. This year’s series will be offered January – February, 2009.

Big [BOX] is not about huge production values. It’s more about the performance. The artist shouldn’t get too caught up in elaborate plans because they don’t have much time in the space. But don’t confuse minimalism and resourcefulness with lack of style and quality. We ask that all set pieces be portable in case the show needs to be struck to make the stage available for a late night performance. The space is set up with a rep lighting plot suitable for theatre and dance. Each artist will have a few specials that can be moved around for their particular needs, but the lighting plot must remain intact. Color may be changed.

Each artist/group will be provided a budget of $600 toward his or her expenses. ($400 for double bill) The net box office receipts will be split 50/50 (30/30/40 for double bills) after that $600 has been recovered.

Although we will produce a direct mail piece advertising all of the artists/groups, it is up to the individual artist to promote his or her own show, but we will. We will send out a press release for listings only, provide flyer templates, use of copy machine, and may be able to help with distribution. Since the work being done is in development, there will be no critics invited. However, critics have attended and written about work in the past, clearly stating that the work is in process. Should an individual artist feel their work is ready for the scrutiny of a reviewer we will try to accommodate them.

There will be a Big [BOX] Stage Manager, box office and house staff, but it is up to each artist to provide their own artistic collaborators and any additional technical staff needed.

This is a chance for us to get to know an artist’s work or new work by artists we already know.

Who gets selected?
In selecting works for this series we look at a number of factors:

Has the artist/group demonstrated the ability to produce the proposed work? We aren’t looking for top notch producers, but we do want to feel confident that the artist/group has a clear understanding of what it takes to pull off a show, and that they understand how to assess their own capacity.

All artistic enterprises require risk and there are no guarantees. However, it’s important to demonstrate a level of artistic excellence and an understanding of artistry. This might be demonstrated in a work sample, resume of artist, script of past or current work, or in a project summary.

Is the work adventurous and new? CPT has a history of producing work that no one else in town will produce because it is somehow “outside the box.” The work doesn’t need to be experimental or weird (though that is fine too), but it does need to be relevant and compelling.

How will Big [BOX] impact this artist professionally and artistically? CPT wants to have a real impact on the community and provide resources to artists who will most benefit.

If you would like to be considered for the 2008-09 Big [BOX] Series, please fill out the application form, or you can request an application at Artistic@cptonline.org. Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2008.

Big [BOX] Past Artists
2002-03
Antaeus Dance
Christopher Johnston – Theories of Relativity
InLet Dance Theatre
Michael D. Sepesy – Loserville
David Hansen – I Hate This
Wild Plum Productions
Titlewave Theatre – Charge
aron Rapljenovic and Robert Wesner – White River Crossing

2003-04
Eclectic Circus
Alex P. Michaels – The M.A.N.
Sarah Morton – 4 Minutes to Happy

2004-05
Aaron Rapljenovic and Zoe Schultz – GEMini
David Hansen – The Vampyres
Ryan Lott – Connect, A Party in 3 Acts
Perren Hedderson – Apply Within
Nina Domingue – Mo Pas Connin
Mike Geither – Citizenship in the Nation

2005-06
Myron J. Lewis and Jaqi Loewy — Mr. Lewis Rules
Daniel Elihu Kramer — Love Suicide
Lynn Deering and Chris DiCello — Coming of Age
Eric Alleman — New American Appliances
Joe Booth — Family Outing

2006-07
Mike Geither – Living Tall
Michael Sepesy – Ms. Adventures
Lisa Siciliano – When the Wind Blows
Najaa Young – The Future of the Funk
Lisa K. Lock – Without Feathers
Amy Notley – Sucking the Life
Mary Weems – Wearing Numbers and Rainbows
Double-Edge Dance – Fault Lines
Trad A Burns – My Name is Rachel Corrie

2007-08
Steve Maitros – Modern Problems
Anne McEvoy – Crashing Through Ceilings
MeganLouise Dance – Companions
Scott Plate – The One Who
Barbara Becker – Ictus
Michael Williams – The Josie Project
Jason Mullin – The Greatest Story Ever Told
Hy Life – De Vices
Kalindi Stockton and Maree ReMalia – vis-à-vis
Deborah Magid – Costumbrismo, or Khandihba Wars