Philadelphia, PA
Genre-Defying Work
February 2011

Curatorial Advisor: Thaddeus Squire

How do we discuss/support works that defy genre/discipline? How is genre challenged or changed? When you push genre/discipline boundaries, when (does?) the work ceases to be theatre? Does that matter?
Philadelphia will highlight the cross-genre and inter-disciplinary work created by ensembles that explodes genre and pushes boundaries.   We might assert that most theatre work that is “genre-defying” tends to incorporate media, technology, or other disciplines as the means through which the boundaries of traditional theater are erased and redrawn. What are the genres of “traditional” theater and how are they understood and approached today?  Over the course of two and half days we will go deep into conversations about structure and content in work that refuses to be categorized. We want to develop language to help support how we discuss and frame this type of work to our audiences and to each other.  Micro-Festival participants will answer questions about the ways culture and process influences creative choices in the context of developing work that defies genre.  We are looking for work that helps us address and initiate dialogue around the below questions:

• Who or what institutions define, name, and establish genres within theatre?
• What are the politics/organizing principles of ensembles in Philadelphia’s theatre community?
• What are the genres today, and why are they useful to theatre practice or business?
• What are the means through which genres are challenged or changed?
• Why do genres need to be challenged or changed?
• Is “genre” the same as “brand” for ensemble-based companies?
• When you push genre boundaries, how do you know when the work ceases to be theatre?
• Are all other artistic disciplines simply sub-genres of theatre?

NET is seeking proposals for Performances.

Criteria for Philadelphia:

In order to explore the theme of “genre-defying” work, we are offering the following specific indicators or means through which work “crosses” genre or defies “traditional” theatrical genres:

• The work emphasizes or foregrounds specific disciplines that may be backgrounded or more supportive in pure theatre, such as music, sound/new media, visual design, dance/movement, etc.
• The work mixes or reinvents traditional aesthetic genres such as comedy, tragedy, farce, mystery, fable, cirque, vaudeville, melodrama, etc.
• The work could be generated through fusions of various creative or performance approaches, such as Viewpoints, Lecoq, movement improv, free text improv, physical theatre, etc.
• The work is of 15 to 90 minutes in length, as we are seeking both “full-length” pieces and works or live performance collaborations/improvs that can constitute a mixed-bill program.

LOCAL COMPANIES in Philadelphia – Any ensemble is welcome to submit a proposal to present your work. In each city we will be selecting 3 local companies. Presented pieces may be already in production or from within the last 5 years. These performances must be adaptable to the venue and be technically simple because we will be running in rep. Performance should be full-length (30-90 minutes).

COMPANIES OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA – ONE  piece will be presented in each city that is not local. Financially we cannot support casts and production teams larger then 6. Performance should be full-length (minimum 30 minutes and maximum 90).

Please Note: The performances are meant to illuminate the topic of each Micro-Fest.  With all respect, if your work does not fit into the theme please do not submit a proposal.

For performance RFP information, click here.

To complete an application, click here.