Griffin Independent is Griffin’s annual season of new Australian and international writing co-presented
with the country’s most exciting independent theatre-makers.
Running in parallel to Griffin’s own main season of new Australian plays, Griffin Independent aims to
bridge the independent and main stage sectors, and to provide our top independent theatre-makers with
the best opportunities and support.
Since 2012, Griffin has launched the Main and Independent seasons within the same annual program
brochure, resulting in a significant increase in exposure and sales for independent productions.
Griffin provides a significant level of artistic and management support to Griffin Independent productions,
all of which is outlined below.
We are looking for proposals that tick these boxes:
New Writing! This is a tricky one to define but here are some possibilities:
- It could be a new play which has never had a public presentation.
- It might be a work written up to 5 years ago which has premiered overseas or interstate but
has never had a public presentation in Sydney.
- At a stretch, it might be a revival or reinvention of an older Australian work if you have a
really strong rationale for engaging with the work right now.
Plays may be by Australian or international writers.
We are most interested in work with a challenging structure or use of language, plays that challenge
conventional forms of writing, or work that marks a new way of writing for a particular playwright.
A director attached with professional theatre directing experience across main and/or independent
stages.
A producer attached with experience working with independent artists and an understanding of how
to collaborate with a producing theatre company like Griffin.
If your proposal does not fit into these criteria but you feel passionately that it belongs at Griffin, please
get in touch with us to discuss further.
The quality of the play and the artistic vision behind it.
The quality of the project team (must include a producer).
The quality of the production planning.
The fit of the proposal with the other productions under consideration for Griffin’s 2014 artistic
program.
Season dates will be negotiated at a later stage with the selected project teams. A decision on the 2014
Independent Season will be made early June 2013.
Griffin Independent provides independent artists and producers with substantial artistic and production
support from Griffin including: expertise in production, direction, dramaturgy, publicity, sponsorship and
marketing.
In 2014 Griffin will provide the following:
Publicity services, including development of a publicity plan, composition and distribution of media
releases, interview pitches and scheduling, and management of opening night invitations.
In order to build up audience awareness for the brand of Griffin Independent there is a consistency to the
design of all Griffin marketing collateral. Independent companies will provide the main marketing image
in consultation with Griffin to ensure it is compatible with the design work. Griffin will then provide the
following:
Design, print and distribution of the season brochure.
Promotion of the Griffin Independent season - including direct mail to Griffin’s database, a dedicated
page on the Griffin website, inclusion in our e-newsletter, Facebook and Twitter, and through sale of
season subscription packages as an add-on to Griffin Main Season subscriptions.
Extended marketing advice and support for the promotion of individual productions, including
management of reciprocal deals, special ticket offers and free website/print listings, and assistance
with the development and implementation of a marketing plan.
Design, print and distribution of production postcards (8000 printed, 5000 distributed - producers to
provide image).
Design and print of light box poster for on-street display (producers to provide image).
A 105-seat historic theatre with access to lighting, sound and rigging.
Technical support for bump in/bump out (casual crew for up to 16 hours).
Access to Griffin’s lighting, sound and staging equipment.
Front-of-house and bar service.
Online and telephone booking service.
Rent-free use of the SBW Stables Theatre for fundraising and promotional activities during the
season.
Rent-free use of office space in the Griffin office (subject to availability) for auditions and readings.
Budgeting guidance, producing advice and production management support.
Griffin heavily subsidises Griffin Independent. In return for the support outlined above, Griffin receives
30% of the Net Box Office (or a minimum of $5000 based on a 4-week season, no GST applies). Net box
office is the total box office income less ticketing and credit card charges.
What independent companies should bring to the party:
The production – fully rehearsed and with all set, costumes and production elements provided.
The cast, creative and production team (including a stage manager to operate the show each night).
Promotional materials and activities over and above the marketing activities undertaken by Griffin
(e.g. a trailer, digital marketing, press advertising, theatre listings).
Production sponsorship (if applicable).
Group Personal Injury insurance .
Please submit a Project Application of no more than 3 PAGES, including the following information:
Please start your Project Application by completing these details the top of your page.
PROJECT:
WRITER:
DIRECTOR:
PRODUCER:
MAIN CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL:
Then:
A 1-line synopsis of the project.
A brief description of the project (up to 200 words).
Why do you think the project is suitable for inclusion in the Griffin Independent season?
Who is the audience for the work and are there any unique marketing angles?
A 100 word marketing blurb for the show (that you might use on a postcard or website, for
example).
Names and short biographies of all key project personnel currently in place.
Correspondence indicating that the rights are available. The rights to the play must be available for a
project to be considered for inclusion in the season.
A budget outline for a 4-week season using the template provided or one of your own that includes a
similar level of detail.
A copy of the script.
Optional: Up to 2 additional pages of previous reviews or editorial coverage of the director and/or
playwright’s work.
Please send submissions by email only to submissions@griffintheatre.com.au by 9am on Monday 8
April 2013.
Please submit the following 3 documents only:
1. Project Application – your 3-page proposal and optional support material compiled into a single Word
document.
2. Script.
3. Budget – as an Excel or Word document.
If you have any questions, please email submissions@griffintheatre.com.au in the first instance, and we’ll
be happy to follow up your email with a phone call if needed. We look forward to hearing about your
project.
