Where Theatre Is Born

FAQs

How does the BPP choose its Mainstage plays?

Two of the mainstage plays are selected through contest submissions: the Woodward/Newman Drama Award & the Reva Shiner Comedy Award. Each has hundreds of submissions each year as we search to find the best new plays in the country and across the globe. Please check the "Artists" section of our site for more details. In addition, BPP will commission plays for its AwareFest while also selecting submissions from Indiana-based playwrights. In addition, the BPP will select a play each year from off or off-off-Broadway with the goal of giving a new play a second production. Lastly, we select a new small-scale musical for every season through agent submissions. Other plays come to the attention of the Artistic Director through networking with theatres and participation in events that showcase new playwrights and new plays. The BPP accepts agent submissions at all times but only accepts unsolicited materials through our annual contests.

Why new plays?

The Bloomington Playwrights Project recognizes the extreme importance of developing and fostering the work of playwrights. We are of a rare breed of theatres taking chances on untested materials because we believe in the product and we believe even more in the impact of the result. Without theatres willing to take the risk of staging a new play, most of these voices would never be heard and theatre would become a museum paying homage to the past. We understand clearly that now more than ever is the time when new art must be created and voices of the present must be brought to the forefront.

How are you funded?

Through individual donations, grants, ticket sales, revenue generated by education programming, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.

I've written a play; will you consider it for your season or one of your special events?

We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. If your play is a full-length comedy, we encourage you to enter it for consideration for the Reva Shiner Comedy Award. If your play is a drama, then you should submit it to the Woodward/Newman Drama Award. Information on both contests is available in the "Artists" section of our website. Plays that may fit under our Dark Alley Series (late night theatre aimed towards college students) can be submitted through a brief synopsis and playwright bio e-mailed to the Artistic Director at artisticdirector@newplays.org.

If your play is a one act or ten minute play, please check our website often. We have regular opportunities for short play submissions which are always published on our website.

How can I get involved?

We have need for both administrative and artistic volunteers. Write to managingdirector@newplays.org for more information. Indicate the nature of your interest, relevant experience, and your availability.

How large is your theatre?

The Wiles Mainstage Theatre seats between 86-96 seats depending on configuration. We also have a large lobby with a small rehearsal stage but no fixed seating. The lobby can be used for many different types of events - dances, parties, dinners, and small performances.

Do you pay participating artists? And if you do, how much?

Yes. All artists in our Mainstage season are paid. Payment ranges from $50 - $1000 depending on the position and the size of the production.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes. We are a 501(c)(3) corporation and donations are fully tax deductible.

How is the BPP different from the Monroe County Civic Theatre and Cardinal Stage?

The BPP is a small professional theatre that produces only new plays. We are the only theatre company in Bloomington that has a full-time staff, our own theatre space, and a full Mainstage season. BPP is also the only theatre in the area and one of the few in the state regularly producing new works.

Cardinal Stage is also a small professional theatre but focuses primarily on productions of established plays. MCCT is a community theatre with no permanent staff producing mostly established plays.

What do you do?

We produce new plays - primarily plays that are either world premieres or in their second or third production. These new plays may be full length, one acts, or ten-minutes. We also offer a variety of educational programs for youth and adults.

Do plays pay for themselves?

Ticket sales alone do not pay for a typical run of a play. To assure that our plays have high production values we must rely on our individual donors, corporate and grant funding.

What will sponsorship do for my business?

There are many benefits to becoming a subscriber, not the least of which is increased exposure of your organization. Reaching a potential of over 1,000 patrons per show and countless more through our local and regional advertising, your sponsorship allows you to gain publicity through our marketing while also benefiting from the tax break of helping a non-profit.

Where is your theatre?

We are at 107 W. Ninth Street in downtown Bloomington.

Is everything that is produced at your theatre a BPP production?

No, we rent our space to many individuals and groups. Please visit the "Rentals" page of our website if you are interested in using our space for your event. Our rates are the best in town as we make it a goal to be accessible to the community.