Presenting and Producing Events/Classes/Concerts at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts
The primary mission of Off Center for the Dramatic Arts is to provide an affordable, accessible performance and rehearsal space for productions by local community theater artists, as well as a venue for educational opportunities for area students. The concept of a dedicated, professional, yet affordable theater space is a unique one in the city of Burlington, Vermont. Off Center aims to play host to not only theatrical productions, including staged readings and new works, but also classes in theater arts, such as acting, directing, stage management, and playwriting. It is our goal, through the offering of a reasonably priced performance venue and educational/internship programs, to benefit theater goers, performers, and students alike.
Off Center for the Dramatic Arts is an independent venue rooted in community, with an eye towards original dramatic work. The Burlington arts community and, in particular, the theater community has been hampered for years by a lack of an accessible, affordable performance space. Off Center aims to fill that niche.
Primarily, Off Center is a performing arts venue, modest in scope, tailored to up-and-coming and local independent performing artists. The philosophy of Off Center is to keep overhead costs to a minimum, while providing a professional venue for artists to hone their craft and display their work to the public. The core hope of implementing this model is that, over time, the level of art produced by area artists will rise and that, by maintaining a policy of modest spending, Off Center will be able to pass that savings on to the users of the space, who, it is hoped, will then be in a position to pay Burlington area performers, technicians, and designers more than has traditionally been the case.
There are two main activities at Off Center. The first activity is the year-round operation of a performing arts venue. The second activity is to act as a year-round center for education, primarily in the fields of dramatic and performing arts. Classes and workshops will be taught by local artists and staff, benefiting them with employment, and area students with affordable, ongoing arts education at all levels.
Off Center is a dedicated performing arts facility with a flexible design. The space is readily usable in a proscenium/aisle seating configuration, with a raked house and a raised stage, but may also be set up for cafe-type seating with a raised stage, or risers and seating on the stage and front of the house, with performance space towards the back of the house. An in-the-round configuration is also a possibility, if such a design fits the needs of the presenter. The dimensions of the space are: Stage: 12’ 6” 19’ 9”; house: 19’ 9” 27’ 2” (on center). Off Center staff will be glad to discuss the possibilities with you.
We hope that you take greatest advantage of the opportunity offered by Off Center, and that your experience is a positive and productive one, and that you will look forward to staging future productions at Off Center.
The Basics
1. Off Center is primarily a theatrical venue for rent for the purposes of public presentation and educational classes. Most projects are produced by the presenter, and not by Off Center.
2. The presenter is responsible for promotion, content, and rent for the event or class.
3. Off Center can assist with promotion through Facebook, e-mail list, and bulletin boards. All other promotion is the responsibility of the presenter. By special advanced arrangement, a newspaper marquis can be run in Seven Days.
4. All proceeds beyond space rental fees belong to the presenter.
5. If the presenter is insured, presenter is responsible for their own liability insurance. If not, presenter will be covered under the Off Center insurance policy for no additional fee.
6. No open flame may be used unless specifically approved by Off Center.
7. No alcohol is permitted on the premises.
8. Setup and cleanup are the responsibility of the presenter. Default conditions will be agreed upon in advance.
9. A contract must be signed in advance.
10. Rental rates as of April 1, 2010 are as follows: Weekly Rental (9 A.M. Monday to Midnight Sunday): $700 Daily Rental (Monday–Sunday, 9 A.M. to Midnight): $150
11. The first 25% of the rental fee is due at time of booking, with the final 75% due by two (2) weeks before the start date of the rental agreement; single-day bookings cannot be made more than 1 month in advance, at which time a 100% deposit is due (including damage deposit).
