The Proposal Process
How Productions and Projects Are Chosen for the Davis Performing Arts Center
There are two seasons in the Davis Performing Arts Center (DPAC) each year, both overseen by the Artistic Director. The first is shaped directly by the Artistic Director, in consultation with theater faculty, the Technical Director, and student representatives, to support the educational needs and research priorities of those directly involved in the Theater Program. Theater majors may propose to direct, design, or write a production in the Theater Season for their senior project by formally submitting an application, reviewed by the Theater Faculty, by November 1 of their junior year; projects are chosen based on excellence of proposal, recommendation, feasibility, and student record. Featured productions in the Theater Program Season are announced by April 1 of the academic year prior to the season.
The second DPAC highlights interdisciplinary projects also directly linked to performance. These events are proposed and sponsored by various departments within the College and University. Projects small and large are chosen based on excellence of application, availability, and review by an Advisory Programming Board appointed by the Artistic Director. Projects must include conception, funding source and budget, a faculty lead, a class sponsor, and anticipated target audience. Those proposals which engage interdisciplinarity or creative learning through performance will receive highest priority. Proposals for masterclasses, workshop showings, and touring special events linked to the academic mission should be submitted by 15 April of the previous academic year for priority review; major projects should be proposed by November 15 of the previous academic year for sufficient review and planning. (The Advisory Programming Board will meet twice a semester, and may review proposals for small interdisciplinary projects with less leadtime, at that point, if space is available.) For more information regarding Proposal Guidelines or the composition of the Advisory Programming Board for the DPAC Interdisciplinary Season, click one of the options to the left.
The Artistic Director programs the first season, the Theater Program Season, to support and enhance the pedagogical priorities and research interests of full faculty and dedicated students in the Theater Program. (Thus this season provides performance laboratories linked to class work.)The Theater Season demonstrates range of genre and production level, typically featuring 4-5 productions as well as a series of smaller events--masterclasses, guest lectures, talkbacks--that critically and creatively place the featured plays each season. These events are open to the public, and designed to feature artistic excellence as well as social engagement. The Theater Program hosts additional special events (Q&As, workshops, filmviewings) that deepen and expand the academic program's emphasis on performance studies.
Student leaders of club theater may propose a collaboration (faculty-directed) with the Theater Program; for highest priority, a club should recommend a collaboration by November 1, and begin close discussions of preferred project with faculty director to submit a shared proposal by January 15.
The Artistic Director
The Artistic Director is appointed by the Dean of the College, Jane McAuliffe, and coincides with her appointment of the Director of the Theater Program. Like the Director of Theater Program, the Artistic Director is a three-year appointment, offered to a tenure-track faculty member of the Theater Program, with expertise in performance research and scholarship.
