All work at Dixon Place is curated. We have performances 6 nights a week and as such we receive a high volume of submissions. To help us review your submission more efficiently, please read our mission statement and review our programs below to make sure Dixon Place is a good fit for your work.
We ask that you submit proposals directly to the series you think is the "best fit.” Please keep in mind you are proposing a work in progress. We do not program full-scale productions (except for our commissions), nor do we present work that has already been produced. Please note: Dixon Place accepts submissions only from artists based in the NYC area.
What we are looking for: Brand new work at all stages of development. We present theatre, dance, music, performance art, literature, puppetry, film/video, visual art, burlesque and circus arts! Proposed work should be 10-70 minutes in length.
Artists chosen are provided a small honorarium, rehearsal and tech time as well as marketing and administrative support. Artists are presented for one evening and often on a shared bill.
Due to the high volume of submissions, it may take us two months after the submission deadline to respond to you. Please be patient and refrain from checking on your status. It’s a good bet we’re working on it! If you have any questions, e-mail submissions@dixonplace.org. Please, no calls.Send all submissions to Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10002 or submissions@dixonplace.org (online submissions must include links to work samples). We do not accept submissions via certified mail.
Submission Materials
All work is selected based on the specific submission materials listed below. We do not consider resumes, reels or press kits. We also do not accept promo DVDs, reel highlights or clips. We prefer to see work unedited and in its entirety. Make sure all work samples are formatted as a .mov or .avi.
Submissions MUST include the following information (which we understand is subject to change), preferably numbered and in list order.- 1. Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
- 2. Date of application
- 3. Short bio or history, i.e. your greatest hits and accomplishments
- 4. Website / social networks
- 5. Title of work(s) submitted
- 6. Specific series you are submitting to
- 7. Genre, or how you would classify your work
- 8. Your ideal timeframe (month) for presentation
- 9. Description of proposed project (short paragraph)
- 10. Estimated running time
- 11. Number of performers & specific collaborators you intend to engage
- 12. Technical requirements
- 13. Work history:
- a. How long have you been working on this piece?
- b. Has the piece been publicly presented as a reading, workshop, or full performance previously? As a whole? In parts? If so, where & when?
- c. Do you currently have any future bookings of this new work? Note: Dixon Place prefers to premiere work.
- 14. Preferred venue: 120 seat mainstage, 40 seat lounge, or either
- 15. Whether your piece would work as a late night (i.e. 9:30 or 10:00pm start time)
- 16. Outreach plan: describe how you will help us generate an audience
- 17. Familiarity with Dixon Place: Have you seen our space? Have you performed with us before? If so, when and where?
- List of work samples accompanying your submission
We require you to include DVDs (.mov or .avi files), CDs, or links to recent work (please limit to 2). Your proposal WILL NOT be considered without a video work sample, with the exception of proposals for our 3 literary programs (see descriptions below). You may also include a script sample of the proposed work (no longer than 20 pages). No VHS.
If you would like your submission materials returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Note: Your proposal will not be considered if you fail to comply with these guidelines.
Deadlines
Dixon Place accepts submissions year-round. Postmark deadlines for each season are as follows. It is possible that a late submission could be considered, otherwise it will be held for the following season.
January-March season: October 1 deadline
April-June season: January 1 deadline
HOT! Festival (July-August, queer artists only): April 13 deadline
September-December season: June 8 deadline
Artists will be notified when submission materials are received. Please no phone calls or e-mails.
Our Series
Performance Works-in-Progress
Performance Works-In-Progress is our signature program. This series highlights new theatre, performance art, music and interdisciplinary collaborations by emerging and established artists. The goal of this series is to foster a diverse range of disciplines and perspectives and to encourage artistic risk-taking in a supportive, intimate and professional environment. The projects presented are in varying stages of development
Puppet BloK!
Puppet BloK! features new works of puppetry, animation, music, film and other innovative forms of storytelling by emerging and established artists from the NYC area. Curated by Leslie Strongwater. E-mail puppetblok@gmail.com for more information.
Dance Programs
Dixon Place has four diverse dance programs. Most curators are working choreographers. Each series has its own artistic mission.
All proposals should be sent to Dixon Place, where they will be forwarded to the appropriate curator. Each series is a shared bill featuring 2-4 choreographers. Each choreographer receives a stipend and a technical rehearsal.
Under Exposed
This series provides an opportunity for choreographers who are either beginning or evolving in their careers. Under Exposed presents work by choreographers who are not often given the opportunity to show work in larger venues which demand more "finished" visions. Curated by Doug Post, each evening features four choreographers.
Crossing Boundaries
Curated by Marcia Monroe and featuring works by 4 choreographers, boundaries crossed may be cultural, geographic, or within disciplines
Moving Men
This provides an opportunity for choreographers to work with all male dancers. Curated by Jimmy Burgio.
Brink offers two choreographers the opportunity to present 20-40 minute works-in-progress two evenings in a row. Curated by Kim Brandt.
Literary Programs
Belladonna*
This reading series presents work by female writers who are adventurous, experimental, politically involved, multi-form, multi-cultural, multi-gendered, impossible to define, delicious to talk about, unpredictable, dangerous with language. To submit work to this series, please go to the Belladonna website or email the curators.
QT (Queer Text)
This series presents new literary work by GLBTQ writers. Each reading features two - three artists on a shared bill. To apply, send proposals to curators Nicholas Boggs and Marty Correia with "QT Submission" in the subject line..
E&D presents fiction, poetry and plays by emerging and established writers distinguished by their highly individual use of language. Each reading features two artists on a shared bill. To apply, send proposals to curators Tom Cole and Christen Clifford.
Music in the Lounge
We are always seeking innovative and original music for our Lounge. The Lounge is a very intimate space designed for acoustic music. Amplification is not necessary. Drum kits and rock music not welcome. Volume of performance is at the discretion of Dixon Place. Please feel free to stop by after 6pm any evening and check out the space. To apply please send us a brief bio plus a CD or links to your music.
Bindlestiff Open Stage Variety Show
DP’s traditional “open mic” has transformed into a nonstop variety show experience that may include aerial artists, wire walkers, sword swallowers, physical comedy, Kung Fu juggling, clown bands, trained rats, stripping clowns, living cartoons, a Heavy Metal Magician, a cougar contortionist, and a cowboy from the Bronx. The evening is hosted by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus co-founder Keith Nelson. To sign up e-mail contact@dixonplace.org.
HOT! The NYC Celebration of Queer Culture
This festival of GLBTQ performance art, theatre, literature, music, burlesque and dance celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2012. HOT! presents over 100 queer artists six nights a week every summer.
Artist-in-Residence
By invitation only
This program is designed to serve emerging and established artists with rehearsal space and technical support which can culminate in a work-in-progress presentation. There are four 3-month residencies per year.
Mondo Cané! Commissions
By invitation only
With this program Dixon Place commissions and premiers new works of theatre, performance art, puppetry and dance. Each year, DP commissions eight artists or ensembles and provides them with 1-3 months of workshop time, full technical support, publicity/marketing and a run of 6-12 performances.