We are taking applications for RISER Toronto 2022
Supporting independent artists has always been one of our main priorities. Why? Because producing is frickin’ hard! That’s why we created RISER, our collaborative producing model for indie producers. We wanted to find a way to reduce the cost of production, increase industry collaboration, and generally just demystify the producing process.
Knowing that many shows were postponed due to the pandemic, we are expanding RISER Toronto 2022 to be able to support more artists get their work to production.
Click the links below to jump to different sections of the RISER Toronto 2022 application guide:
Click here to upload your application. Deadline: Friday, June 18, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST
RISER is made possible through the generous support of RBC Foundation, TD Bank Group, the Government of Canada, a network of Senior Partners, and supporters of our 2020 PROVOKE campaign. The first three years of RISER were made possible by Toronto Arts Council’s Open Door program.
what is RISER?
RISER is a collaborative producing model for theatre artists and companies to create and present new work. It was developed by Why Not Theatre in order to address some of the challenges of producing independent theatre in Toronto, including: the high cost of production, difficulty building audiences, and inefficient use of resources and infrastructure.
The model also brings together a community of Senior Partners: theatre companies that have larger capacity, operating funding, and established producing track records. The Senior Partners contribute resources and support to the model, as well as offering mentorship and beginning long-term connections with RISER artists, which Why Not helps to facilitate.
RISER has started to expand nationally, starting with Edmonton in 2022. Click here for more details about previous productions and the history of the model.
when is RISER toronto?
For the 2022 round of RISER Toronto, we are seeking project applications for presentation from March 21 – May 8, 2022 (at The Theatre Centre’s BMO Incubator).
Due to the pandemic restrictions, for safety reasons RISER 2020 was cancelled and RISER 2021 pivoted to supporting artists with digital creation. Normally RISER presents four new shows each year, but for 2022 we are expanding to six shows. This will include four of the cancelled projects from 2020/21 (already selected) and two new projects* (via the applications process).
*Note: originally there were 3 available spots for new applicants, but this has shifted due to increased support for 20/21 RISER artists.
what about the pandemic?
While we remain optimistic that the vaccine rollout will increase the likelihood of public gatherings in spring of 2022, we acknowledge that the pandemic could still impact RISER.
We ask that all RISER 2022 applications consider how they would adapt their production in the event that live audiences are not viable for health and safety reasons. Why Not will also build postponement/cancellation plans early in the process to ensure the least financial impact possible on participants.
how will it work?
As part of the RISER model, we bring together a group of artists/collectives/companies that are each creating a production. We then create a repertory performance schedule, which allows all the companies to share a single space, taking turns to perform their shows. The model covers the shared umbrella costs of venue, technical production and basic publicity, and the individual companies are responsible for their own artist fees and other costs, such as additional marketing and set builds.
As a result of sharing resources, past RISER productions have been able to produce their shows for 33% less than if they were producing on their own. Senior Partners on RISER also make investments to the model, which further supports the production of work. As companies involved in supporting these artists at the early stage, Senior Partners are then encouraged to build relationships for future collaboration, such as presenting a remount of a RISER production in their own season, or providing creative feedback and input throughout the process.
who is RISER for?
RISER is designed specifically for individual artists or collectives who work on a project basis, and don’t have an administrative infrastructure.
The artists must have had prior producing experience (e.g. artists who have previously produced shows at festivals like SummerWorks or Fringe, or independently produced their work, and have demonstrated a commitment to creating work).
There is no specific age range. We’re looking for artists who have some professional producing and creation experience, but don’t have consistent access to production at established venues. In the spirit of the shared resource model, the participants in RISER must be generous, flexible, collaborative, curious, and willing to share and work in new ways.
what do you get as part of RISER?
- 3 weeks of rehearsal space (spaces will be assigned on the basis of area needs and availability).
- A shared Lighting Designer (selected and paid for by RISER).
- A RISER Production/Technical Advisor (selected and paid for by RISER).
- A shared Publicity Coach (selected and paid for by RISER).
- 2-3 full days of tech time in the performance space (actual schedule and hours TBC).
- Technicians/crew for load-in, load-out and run of shows (selected and paid for by RISER).
- 6 to 10 public performances in a repertory schedule at The Theatre Centre’s BMO Incubator.
- Box Office ticketing system and Front-of-House staff (ticket prices and policies will be set by RISER, in consultation with the Producers).
- 100% of net Box Office revenues.
- Ongoing coaching, assistance and consultation with Why Not Theatre staff in all areas of producing and management at individual meetings and group meetings.
what don’t you get as part of RISER?
Since this is a shared producing model, not a festival, the primary responsibility for the audience outreach and ticket sales is on the individual companies in the show. Each company is expected to create their own marketing & outreach strategies, and work towards their revenue goals.
That said, one of the strongest rewards of this model has been the support that can come from other participant companies in sharing audiences. RISER will be able to provide bundle deals and cross-promotional opportunities that have helped past productions cross-pollinate audiences for greater success.
RISER is designed to offer resources to support full productions, with full technical elements for each show. You are expected to provide your individual show’s production support staff to manage this.
sounds great, what do I need to get in?
For the next round, we are looking for RISER participants who:
- Are looking to produce a full production of a show that is already under development, or has plans for development.
- Don’t receive operating funding, and whose work is project-based.
- Are completely available for tech and performances in the period between March 21 – May 8, 2022. Due to the shared nature of the model, we cannot accommodate any availability conflicts.
- Are willing to work in a generous and collaborative way.
- Can commit to 8-12 All-RISER meetings between June 2021 – May 2022, dates TBD.
how do I apply?
To apply to RISER 2022, we ask participants to put together a letter (no more than 2 pages long) indicating the following:
- Who you are as an artist.
- What have you done prior to this – please provide artistic and producing experience, including scale of budgets, past audience attendance and producing context (festival, independent, presented).
- A brief overview of what your production is, who is involved (confirmed and expected), where it is in the development process, what you anticipate the budget will be, what your current funding plans are.
- Why you and your project should be a part of RISER.
- Your pandemic contingency plan.
- How would you adapt your production in the event that live audiences are not possible for health and safety reasons?
- Productions need to utilize The Theatre Centre’s BMO Incubator space for their reimagined presentation.
- Government restrictions might limit the number of artists allowed in the space for rehearsal and filming purposes, so please list the number of artists using the space.
- Why Not Theatre would be able to provide gear for digital re-imaginings, including cameras, recording equipment, etc.
You may include a one-page resume of the lead artist/producer (optional). Please do not include scripts, multimedia samples of the show, or any other supplementary materials.
Click here to upload your application. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 18, 2021 at 5:00pm EST.
Selected 2022 RISER artists will be notified by Friday, July 16, 2021 via email.
how are RISER applications evaluated?
Participants in RISER are selected by a jury comprised of former participants, overseen by Why Not Theatre, who collectively evaluate all applications we receive. RISER is intended to provide more opportunity for artists to take on risks in producing their work, therefore we are not focusing on the artistic merit of the production itself. We are focused on the artist themselves, who they are and why they need a chance to show their work.
The evaluation criteria are Need (whether RISER is essential for your show’s trajectory), Diversity (of culture, language, form, content, etc), Feasibility (financial, logistical, technical, pandemic contingency plan, etc.), and Experience (what you have done before this).
questions?
If you have questions about applying for RISER, please email Tom Arthur Davis, Producer at [email protected].
