Intrepid Theatre

Applications for 2022 are now closed. You can sign up to receive email updates when future Intrepid applications go live.  

UNO Fest showcases an eclectic mix of genres, styles and backgrounds with shows, artists and audience encounters, UNO pushes boundaries and reimagines what the possibilities of solo performance can be. This curated festival of solo performance takes place at the Metro Studio and Intrepid Theatre Studio on Lekwungen Territory in downtown Victoria, BC.

Questions? E-mail Producer Sammie Gough at sammie[at]intrepidtheatre.com

 

Important Dates 2022

APPLICATION RELEASE DATE: Oct 13, 2021
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Nov 3, 2021 at midnight PST
FESTIVAL DATES: April 26 – May 14, 2022 TBC

General Information

UNO is a curated festival of live in person performance. Some shows are invited directly, but we also accept productions through the open application process outlined below. We are interested only in recently performed, finished work, 45-90 minutes in length.

We are looking for fully-produced one-person shows, which are relatively “light” in their production requirements and can be performed in a tight festival repertory schedule (shows with big set installations or extraordinary technical needs may not be possible), and which have video documentation available that can be considered by the jury. International applications are welcome, but be advised that due to the cost of travel we may be limited in the number of international productions we can program, if any.

What to Expect

Successful applicants usually receive two or three scheduled performances in a fully outfitted venue of 50-150 seats (we choose), with full festival technical, promotion and box office support. A technical rehearsal will be scheduled with a professional technician, who will run your show. You are not required to bring a stage manager. We supply hotel accommodation and travel expenses for the performer. If you are travelling from out of province this would include air travel. Performance fees are negotiated individually in advance of the festival, usually $500-$800 CAD per performance, depending on venue and number of performances. Artists usually perform in either the first or second half of the festival.

Applicants and their team will need to meet all federal and provincial requirements for travel to BC in 2022, be able to perform in person and observe the requirements of Intrepid Theatre’s current Communicable Disease Prevention Plan. 

Application Guidelines

Applicants must submit support materials with their completed application: a link to a streaming video of the full show. You may provide relevant support material (press clippings, photos, reviews, resume) to help the programmers make an informed decision. Do not send a script. Due to the volume of applications, the jury will not provide written or oral assessments of individual applications.

There is a non-refundable, $37 CAD application fee (GST included) which must be submitted at the time of  application. Please submit only one application – if you have more than one show, we’d prefer you to select the one you’d most like to bring to the festival. You can pay online via Paypal when you apply, or mail us a cheque.

We understand that there’s usually a great team behind a great solo show. However, if your solo show has a large production team who needs to come with you, live musicians, or you have to travel with your stage manager or director, it makes it less likely that we can invite you. We are also unable to accommodate shows that have set or tech requirements that cannot be struck or reinstalled on a festival repertory schedule.  See the FAQs below more info.

DEADLINE: We must receive your application materials by midnight, Nov 3, 2021 for it to be considered. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. If your video doesn’t work when we try it, we will not be able to consider your application.

FAQs – Please read before applying

How many shows do you program?

This year we plan to program 5-8 productions in total and ancillary events/parties. We also have a new-work-in-development component, UNO Works, which showcases local artists.

How many people can be in my show?

UNO is a festival of solo performance. We are looking for shows that are both solo (one person on stage) or that stretch the way in which a solo story is told.

My show is solo but needs a live musician / lighting designer /  stage manager – can I apply?

You can, but if you are from out of town this can limit our ability to invite you, because of the additional travel expense. (If you want to bring someone along at your own expense and share a hotel room, let us know in your one-page summary.)

What kind of shows are you looking for?

Live solo performance with a theatrical perspective: comedy, drama, theatre for young audiences, cabaret, musical theatre, physical theatre, puppetry, clown, spoken word, multimedia, storytelling and stand up.

We do not program concerts. Solo dance, suitable for a cross-over theatre audience, will be considered, but is not a priority for programming. Please note that UNO is not a dance festival, and we do not guarantee that dance will be programmed every year.

What kind of venues and equipment do you have? Do I need to bring a technician?

We use two venues for the festival – the Metro Studio (150 seats) and the Intrepid Theatre Club (50 seats).  Change-over time between performances is limited, so if your show involves a permanent installation (ex. a full set) or cannot be performed with a festival lighting plot and a reasonable number of specials, we will probably not be able to accommodate it. All technical equipment and tech support are provided, including video projectors, screens, and festival sound and lighting. You may have a technical rehearsal of up to 5 hrs.

Do I do my own promotion?

Intrepid Theatre will be responsible for blanket promotion of the festival, including festival posters, program guide, press releases and arranging interviews with the media.  If you have leftover posters or press kits from a previous engagement or festival run, we’re happy to distribute them.

Will you send materials back?

No. Please make sure you have copies of your own, we will not return any materials submitted with applications. 

Can I send a VHS tape or DVD of my show? How about a live audition?

No.

How about a web link to a full video?

If we can stream it, this is great – yes. But please don’t send anything we have to download.

My show is really great but I don’t have a video. Can I apply with a script?

The jury gives equal weight to the performance and the content of the show. If we can’t see you perform, you are at a huge disadvantage. Think about taping your show and applying next year.  It doesn’t need to be professionally produced – we are used to watching archival DVDs, and as long as we can see and hear you, we can overlook fancy video production values. (Some of our favourite shows have had really, really terrible videos.)

I applied before but didn’t get in, can I apply again?

If the show you submitted has had further development since we saw it last, please – ie. it moved from a workshop production (which we saw last time) to a full production, we will consider it.

I was planning to tape my show later this year, can I apply and send the video later when I have it?

Late applications and materials cannot be considered.

What is your COVID Safety Plan? How will the pandemic impact travel?

Please see this link for our current Communicable Disease Prevention Plan (subject to change depending on PHO orders). Applicants and their team will need to meet all federal and provincial requirements for travel to BC in 2022, be able to perform in person and observe the requirements of Intrepid Theatre’s current CDPP. 

More Questions? E-mail Producer Sammie Gough at sammie[at]intrepidtheatre.com