HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-449-E-Arts Commission-OdysseyStage-2022-23 Arts grantsGRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM / ARTIST PROJECT GRANT 2022-23
Grantee Name
Authorizing Official
Project Title
Award
Grant Category ☐Artist Project Grant Program
Funding Source
Date
End Date
OCAC Report Due
☐Grassroots Arts Program
☐North Carolina Arts Council ☐Orange County
July 1, 2022
June 30, 2023
Monday, July 10, 2023
Stipulations ☐Grantee must spend $ on the hiring of multicultural artists specified in
the grant application.
☐Grantee must properly credit the Orange County Arts Commission using the proper
logo on all publicity materials for the funded program. Recipients of operations‐related
grants must include the OCAC logo with link to www.artsorange.org on grantee’s
website. Download logos on the OCAC website at
https://artsorange.org/grants/grantee‐resources
☐Grantee must properly credit the Orange County Arts Commission and the N.C. Arts
Council using the proper logos and N.C. Arts Council credit line on all publicity materials
for funded program. Recipients of operations‐related grants must include the OCAC logo
with link to www.artsorange.org and N.C. Arts Council logo, credit line, and link to
www.ncarts.org on grantee’s website. Download logos and view proper credit line
language on the OCAC website at https://artsorange.org/grants/grantee‐resources
☒The Grant Recipient must enter all events, exhibits, and performances (virtual or in‐
person) open to the public and related to this grant award on the Orange County Arts
Commission website at www.artsorange.org/events. In addition, the Grant Recipient
must add a link to www.artsorange.org (Orange County Arts Commission logo
preferred) to their main webpage.
Staff Contact Katie Murray, Director
(919)245‐2335 | kmurray@orangecountync.gov
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OdysseyStage
Annie Taft President and Artistic Director
Staged: New Play Readings
$1,125.00
4
4
4 1,125
4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
1
Revised August 2022
ORANGE COUNTY ARTS
COMMISSION 2022-23 GRANT
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this 24 day of August, 2022, by and between Orange County
("County"), by and through the Orange County Arts Commission ("Arts Commission") and
("Grant Recipient").
WHEREAS, the Arts Commission is a countywide arts agency that ensures the growth of
local arts experiences by providing funding and support for diverse high quality programs
and projects.
WHEREAS, the Arts Commission administers the annual Grants Program to
provide economic opportunities to Orange County artists and non-profit organizations
coordinating arts projects benefiting the citizens of Orange County.
WHEREAS, the annual Arts Grants Program is supported by Arts Commission with
funds from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of
the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, a state agency.
WHEREAS, the Grant Recipient was selected by the Arts Commission to receive
the annual Arts Grant through the procedures duly adopted by the Arts Commission; and
WHEREAS, both parties wish to promote and maintain the integrity and clarity of
the Grant Recipient's ideas and statements and delineate the Grant Recipient’s obligations to
the County;
NOW, THEREFORE, the County and the Grant Recipient, for the consideration
and under the conditions hereinafter set forth, agree as follows:
1.Approved Grant Project. Grant funds are provided under this Agreement for the project
(“Project”) described in the Grant Recipient’s Grant Application, attached hereto and
incorporated herein as Exhibit A.
2.Grant Award. Grant funds in an amount not to exceed ($ )
have been awarded by the Arts Commission to the Grant Recipient for the approved
Project. The Recipient shall be required to match funds at least dollar-for-dollar with cash
from the Grant Recipient’s funds not derived from either Orange County appropriations or
the North Carolina Arts Council, as outlined in the attached Exhibit A.
3.Contingency. This grant is contingent on North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots
Program funding to the Arts Commission. Final decisions on Grassroots Program funds
to the North Carolina Arts Council are subject to approval by the North Carolina General
Assembly.
4.Responsibilities of the Grant Recipient
OdysseyStage
one thousand one hundred twenty-five dollars $1,125.00
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
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Revised August 2022
A.Implementation. The Project implementation shall take place between July 1,
2022 and June 30, 2023. The Project shall be implemented in the manner
described in Exhibit A. Time is of the essence in the implementation of the
Project.
B.Modifications to project. Grant Recipient shall present major changes to the
original proposal, including but not limited to changes in design, implementation
schedule and increase in Project budget by more than 10%, in writing to the Arts
Commission for approval. Arts Commission shall approve or disapprove Grant
Recipient’s request for modifications within seven (7) days of receipt thereof.
Consent to project modifications shall not be unreasonably withheld. Arts
Commission’s decisions shall be in writing. In the event the Arts Commission
fails to approve or disapprove the requested modifications within the time stated
herein, the modifications shall be deemed approved.
C.Non–assignment. The grant cannot be assigned or transferred to a different project
or artist without prior written approval of the Arts Commission.
D.Records. Grant Recipient must maintain records and other evidence pertaining to
costs incurred and revenues acquired during the Project implementation. Grant
Recipient shall maintain financial records pertaining to the Project for three (3)
years from the date of this Agreement, in case of audit.
E.Use of Funds. Grant Recipient shall not use the grant funds to repay outstanding
taxes or other debts of any nature. The grants shall be utilized solely for the
purpose described in the attached Exhibit A.
F.Final Report. Grant Recipient shall submit to the Arts Commission a Final Report
on July 10, 2023. The Final Report shall be in the format required by the North
Carolina Arts Council. Failure to submit the Final Report or late submission of
the Final Report, for any reason, shall be grounds for denial and/or cancellation of
grant funds for the Project and future grant proposals.
5.Responsibilities of the Arts Commission
A.Payment. The Arts Commission shall release the grant funds in the amount of
$ to the Grant Recipient.
6.Publicity
A.Acknowledgement. Credit must be given to the Orange County Arts
Commission and/or the North Carolina Arts Council using the proper logo(s)
and credit line in brochures, news releases, programs, and all other printed and
online publications. Copies of such printed materials must accompany the
evaluation report. Official Orange County Arts Commission and North Carolina
Arts Council logos may be downloaded at www.artsorange.org/grantee-resources
and may not be altered in any way. When no printed information is used, verbal
$1,125.00
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
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Revised August 2022
credit shall be given. In addition, all print and promotional material must include
the following credit line and logo(s) (check all that apply):
i.County Funds Only. Orange County Arts Commission logo required.
Credit line required for audio projects: “This program is supported by the
Orange County Arts Commission.”
ii.North Carolina Arts Council Funding. The Orange County Arts
Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council logos are required. Credit
line: “This program is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.”
B.The Grant Recipient must enter all events, exhibits, and performances open to the
public and related to this grant award on the Orange County Arts Commission
website at www.artsorange.org/events. In addition, the Grant Recipient must
add a link to www.artsorange.org (Orange County Arts Commission logo
preferred) to their main webpage.
7.Indemnity. The Grant Recipient agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County, the
Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council and their officers and employees
from any and all claims or actual injury, damage or loss to a person, or real or personal
property that results from or is in any way connected to the use of the grant funds.
8.Independent Contractor. The Grant Recipient is an independent contractor and not an
employee, agent or other representative of the County and/or the Arts Commission.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create the relationship of
principal and agent, or employer and employee, between Grant Recipient and Arts
Commission or Orange County Government. Grant Recipient understands and agrees
that he/she is not authorized to incur any expenses or any liability whatsoever on behalf
of the County or the Arts Commission and has no authority, expressed or implied, to
obligate or make representations on behalf of the County or the Arts Commission. In
addition, Grant Recipient agrees to maintain his or her own worker's compensation
insurance for himself/herself and his or her employees for the duration of the art work's
installation.
9.Termination
A.In the event of any of the circumstances set forth below (hereinafter referred to as
“default”), the Arts Commission may immediately terminate this Agreement:
(i)Any fraudulent representation in any verification required to obtain
payment under this Agreement or other dishonesty on a material matter
relating to the performance of services under this Agreement.
(ii)Nonperformance, incomplete service or performance, or failure to
satisfactorily perform any part of the Project or to comply with any
provision of this Agreement, as determined by the Arts Commission in its
sole discretion.
4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
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Revised August 2022
(iii)Failure to adhere to the terms of applicable county, state or federal laws,
regulations, or stated public policy.
B.In the event of default by the Grant Recipient, the Arts Commission has the
discretion to elect to terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part and/or require
the Grant Recipient to repay the grant funds within seven (7) from written notice
of default or allow the grant recipient the opportunity to cure the default. This
clause shall not be interpreted to limit the County’s or the Arts Commission’s
remedies in law or in equity.
10.Miscellaneous.
A.Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the attachments contain the final and
entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement. All modifications and amendments to this Agreement shall be in
writing. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, their heirs, successors
and assigns.
B.Governing Law. Governing Law and Priority: Both parties agree that this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina and
Orange County. Grant Recipient shall at all times remain in compliance with all
applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations including but not
limited to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws, policies, rules, and
regulations and the Orange County Non-Discrimination Policy and Orange
County Living Wage Policy (each policy is incorporated herein by reference and
may be viewed at
http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/purchasing_division/contracts.php.).
Any violation of this requirement is a breach of this Agreement and Arts
Commission may immediately terminate this Agreement without further
obligation on the part of the Arts Commission. This paragraph is not intended to
limit and does not limit the definition of breach to discrimination. By executing
this Agreement the Grant Recipient certifies that they has not been identified, and
has not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list
created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.58. By executing this
Agreement the Grant Recipient certifies that they has not been identified, and has
not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list
created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.81. By executing this
Agreement Grant Recipient affirms they are and shall remain in compliance with
Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the North Carolina General Statutes. In determining
the basic services to be provided, should any documents be referenced in or
attached to this Agreement, the terms herein shall have priority in any conflict
between the terms of referenced documents and the terms of this Agreement.
C.Dispute Resolution: Neither party may initiate binding arbitration. Any disputes
shall be resolved by nonbinding mediation. If such mediation fails either party
may initiate litigation to resolve the dispute. Should either party initiate litigation
to settle any dispute involving the terms of this Agreement such litigation shall be
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
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Revised August 2022
initiated in the General Court of Justice of North Carolina seated in Orange
County, North Carolina.
D.Signatures. This Agreement together with any amendments or modifications may
be executed electronically. All electronic signatures affixed hereto evidence the
intent of the Parties to comply with Article 11A and Article 40 of North Carolina
General Statute Chapter 66.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Orange County and the Grant Recipient have signed this Grant
Agreement, effective on the last date this Agreement is signed by both parties as indicated by the
dates set forth under signatures below.
For and on behalf of the Grant Recipient
Date
For and on behalf of Orange County Government
Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager Date
Annie Taft President and Artistic Director
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
9/7/2022
9/12/2022
6
Revised August 2022
ORANGE COUNTY—DEPARTMENT USE ONLY
Department
Party/Vendor Name: Party/Vendor Contact Person: Contact Phone: Party/Vendor Address:
City State: NC Zip: Department: COUNTYMGR/Arts Commission Amount:
Purpose: 2022-23 Arts Grants Budget Code(s): 37601020-683000 Vendor # (N/A if new vendor) Vendor
is a BOCC consultant? Yes No Contract Type: (Check one) New Renewal Amendment Effective
No Date 8-31-2022 Approved by Board Yes Agenda Date:
This agreement is approved as to technical form and content:
Department Director’s Signature Date:
Information Technologies
(Applicable only to hardware/software purchases or related services) This agreement has been reviewed and is
approved as to information technology content and specifications:
Office of the Chief Information Officer Date:
Risk Management
This agreement is approved for sufficiency of insurance standards, specifications, and requirements:
Office of the Risk Management Officer Date:
Financial Services
This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control
Act:
Office of the Chief Financial Officer Date:
Legal Services
This agreement is approved as to legal form and sufficiency:
Office of the County Attorney Date:
Clerk to the Board
Received for record retention:
All Docusign contracts must be copied to Laura Jensen upon completion @ ljensen@orangecountync.gov
The following signature block is for hard copies only and is not required for Docusign contracts:
Office of the Clerk to the Board _Date:_
OdysseyStage Annie Taft 919-491-7745
8220 Huntsman Court Chapel Hill 27516 $1,125.00
67303
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
9/2/2022
9/7/2022
9/7/2022
9/12/2022
Orange County Arts Commission Powered by Submittable
Title OdysseyStage
by Annie Taft in 2022-23 Grassroots Arts Program
Grant Application
8220 Huntsman Court
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
27516
NC
United States
919-491-7745
Odysseystage@gmail.com
06/10/2022
id. 26914504
Original Submission 06/10/2022
APPLICANT
INFORMATION
Please tell us about your organization.
Organization Name OdysseyStage
Mailing Address of
Organization
8220 Huntsman Ct, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
How did you hear
about our grant
program?
Other
Did you or a
representative of
your orgnanization
attend one of our
grants training
sessions?
Yes
Nature of
Organization
Arts Organization
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
Organization
Description
OdysseyStage is a 501(c)3 theatre company that partners with
v arious v enues in the Triangle to produce primarily original works by
North Carolina playwrights.
Mission: OdysseyStage takes audiences on a theatrical journey
through the stories of and by the people of North Carolina. W e
entertain and inspire the residents of the greater Triangle area with
original and published works that illuminate the human condition.
Vision: Our v ision is to build a company, an artistic community, and a
body of work that is bold, innov ativ e, and engaging. By doing so, we
promote understanding and add to the shared cultural legacy of
North Carolina.
Our board currently consists of fiv e women--two Black, three W hite.
OdysseyStage does three to fiv e theatrical productions a year
focusing mostly on original work of North Carolina Playwrights. In the
fall we produce the NC 10by10 Short Play Festiv al, which we are re-
branding to OdysseyStage’s 10x10. Currently OdysseyStage has
been presenting a series of staged readings by NC playwrights called
Staged: New Play Readings, which we plan to continue for our next
season and for which we are requesting this grant. For the current
series we produced fiv e staged readings: “Ona” by Keith Burridge;
“Milk and Honey W hiskey” by Grace Siplon; “Johnny Johnson” by
Paul Green, new adaptation by Debra Kaufman; “Power, Money,
Sex…Oh, Yeah, and Lov e” by Sally Kinka; and “The W hirling
Derv ish” by Anthony Garcia-Copian. Past seasons hav e included two
podcasts: The Suffragist Project (podcast and v irtual), in
collaboration with Triangle Playwrights, and OdysseyStage on the Air,
podcasts that included “The Thin Man,” “The Day the Earth Stood
Still,” and “A Letter to Three W iv es.” Past productions include
Illuminated Dresses by Debra Kaufman, Past Imperfect: Voices from
North Carolina History in collaboration with Triangle Playwrights, 2021
NC 10by10, 2020 NC 10by10 (v irtual), 2019 NC10by10, 2018 NC
10by10. Our liv e radio series included Sitting Pretty and Miracle on
34th Street.
The 2021 NC 10by10 inv olv ed more than 30 artists; at least half were
women. These artists offer representation from the LGBTQ+
community (3), identify as BIPOC (5), and include artists of all abilities
(2). In our current Staged series, three of the fiv e writers are women,
one writer identifies as both LGBTQ+ and Cuban American. Two
directors and two moderators identify as BIPOC, and at least 25% of
the actors also identify as BIPOC.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
Has your
organization
undergone any
Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI)
training? If so,
please explain. If not,
please explain any
barriers that have
prevented you from
receiving this
training.
In 2021, three members of the OdysseyStage Board of Directors
participated in the Spring Board Boot Camp training series offered by
Executiv e Serv ice Corps of the Triangle (ESC). One entire workshop
addressed Div ersity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism, which was
dev eloped by Kerry Raquel and Robert Felder, Jr. The session began
by introducing grounding language and prov ided an exercise in
critical discourse. Next, the training explored four lev els of racism
and how we, as indiv iduals, can understand our roles as board
members in becoming antiracist. The session prov ided the
opportunity to increase our understanding of ways to address
antiracist work and offered practical actions to consider and
implement. Prior to participating in this workshop, Annie Taft,
OdysseyStage Board President, participated in Opening Doors, a
three-day antiracism workshop offered through the UNC School of
Medicine.
During the past year, OdysseyStage has made significant progress in
becoming more div erse and appreciating the importance of
antiracism in our mission and v alues. W e hav e implemented key
changes; three of our current fiv e board members identify as BIPOC.
More than one production this year included themes of div ersity, and
one script in our Staged: New Play Readings series addressed head-
on the impact of historic and institutionalized racism. Recruitment for
BIPOC actors and other theatre professionals was more successful
this year, and members of the company bring more div ersity than in
prev ious years. In addition, OdysseyStage initiated a new
collaboration with Sips & Scripts, a platform that promotes the works
of North Carolina playwrights. Director Yv ette Holder is Black and has
long included participants of v arying backgrounds, ethnicities,
religions, and sexual orientation across the Triangle; she accepts
scripts that may explore themes of div ersity and inclusion.
OdysseyStage believ es in strength through div ersity, which includes
reaching out to new and more div erse audiences, which is reflected
in our expanding marketing plans. Our efforts hav e already begun to
enrich our work as a theatre, and we commit to a continuing process
that eliminates disparities. W e intend to ensure that OdysseyStage
reflects the div ersity of Orange County artists, stories, and
audiences.
During FY22-23, will
your organization
receive operational
support funding from
the North Carolina
Arts Council or the
North Carolina
Department of
Natural and Cultural
Resources?
No
Organization's EIN 581870071.0
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
Organization
W ebsite
W ww.odysseystage.org
Authorizing Official's
Name
Annie Taft
Authorizing Official's
Title
President and Artistic Director
Authorizing Official's
Phone
919-491-7745
Authorizing Official's
Email
Ataft@odysseystage.org
Applicant Race W hite
Financial Overview
FinancialOv erv iew_Submittable.xlsx
Organizational Financial Statements
OdysseyStage_ProfitandLossbyClass_FY_2020-2021_YTD.xlsx
2021-2022_Annual_Budget_updated.xlsx
2022-2023_Production_budget_Copy(1).xlsx
Deficit/Surplus W e experienced a deficit this year as our annual 10x10 play festiv al
was undersold due to concerns about the Delta v ariant of Cov id-19.
W e did hav e liv e-streaming av ailable and sold quite a few tickets but
not enough to make up for the in-person audience. The 10x10
producers also raised stipends for all artists in the anticipation that
we would sell a minimum 35% house each performance. W e did not.
For next year we will be much more proactiv e in our marketing for the
10x10 and are being mindful of production costs. W e underestimated
the cost of our staged readings and hav e adjusted for that in our
current budget and in this grant application. W e plan to do four
staged readings (instead of fiv e) next year and are increasing the
budget ov erall to cov er all expenses. Any and all surplus funds are
funneled back into the company to cov er company ov erhead and
future productions.
Are you an entity of
UNC-Chapel Hill or
another unit of state
government?
No
PROJECT/PROGRAM
INFORMATION
Tell us about your project or program
Title of Grant
Request
Staged: New Play Readings
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
Grant Amount
Requested
3,000
Is the person in
charge of this
program or project
different from the
Authorizing Official?
No
W hat are you
requesting funding
for?
A specific program or project
Project/Program
Summary
The project will feature four staged readings of new plays by NC
playwrights, one presented each quarter in 2022-23. The grant
monies requested will primarily fund artist stipends and rental space
for each performance. W e will seek div erse v oices, showcasing new
works by North Carolina playwrights as part of the dev elopment
process. A div erse reading committee will select the four plays from
scripts that OdysseyStage will solicit from playwrights whose work
has been seen in such v enues as Sips & Scripts, the Greensboro
Playwrights Forum, Triangle Playwrights, Goodly Frame Theatre, Cary
Playwrights Forum, and elsewhere, in person or v ia Zoom.
For each play performance, the script will be read by actors who hav e
been lightly rehearsed by a director, with minimal actions and stage
directions read aloud by a narrator. After each performance the
audience is encouraged to offer feedback to the playwright in a talk-
back moderated by a theatre professional.
The staged reading is intended to benefit the playwright by showing
roughly how the script will operate theatrically; the playwright learns
the play's strengths and weaknesses and, after considering audience
comments, can make relev ant rev isions. A staged reading is an
essential step in the dev elopment of a play before the playwright
sends out the script for consideration as a full production. The
audience, by its participation in the talk-back, becomes a more activ e
part of the theatre community and the process builds audiences for
future productions.
Project Start Date
(no earlier than July
1, 2022)
July 1, 2022
Project End Date (no
later than June 30,
2023)
June 30, 2023
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
Project Goals W ith Staged: New Play Readings in 2023, OdysseyStage aims to
prov ide new v oices for theatre in Orange County, building on the
success of the current Staged: New Play Readings series. (1) Staged
will address an inv aluable step in new play dev elopment by giv ing
playwrights the opportunity to hear the play performed by actors and
listen to how the audience responds. This experience prompts
rev isions that are needed toward mounting a full production. (2)
Staged will respond to the need to increase div ersity in recruiting
playwrights, actors, and directors and div ersity in themes of the plays
that we select. (3) Staged will dev elop new and more div erse
audiences; through talk-back discussions after each performance,
which are moderated by a theatre professional, the audience is ev en
more engaged and inv ited to giv e feedback to the playwright. The
audience benefits as does the playwright, as this process generates
a stronger understanding and appreciation of play dev elopment. This
experience enriches the theatre community. (4) Finally, Staged will
grow awareness and v isibility of OdysseyStage across Orange
County, building a brand that is recognized for producing quality
work and memorable theatrical experiences.
Audience Description Audiences for staged readings v ary in size and composition. The
subject matter and familiarity with the playwright's work influences
who attends. In 2022 the attendance for OdysseyStage plays is as
follows. “Ona” had a liv e audience of about 40; more than twice that
number watched v ia Zoom and included participants across the
state, the country, and ev en from Europe and Australia. “Milk and
Honey W hiskey” had a liv e audience of nearly 50. “Johnny Johnson”
had a liv e audience of about 70. “Power, Money, Sex … Oh Yeah, and
Lov e” had a liv e audience of 25.
“Ona” featured three Black actors, a Black director, and a Black
moderator, resulting in broader audience div ersity because friends
and relations attended. Audience div ersity was more limited in
subsequent performances. Note that Anthony Garcia-Copian, whose
play will be performed on June 12, identifies as LGBTQ+ and Cuban
American. W ith his extensiv e network of friends and fans,
considerable audience div ersity is expected.
Liv e audiences typically reflect the Orange County population and
more broadly the Triangle region. As OdysseyStage applies
nontraditional casting, we anticipate more audience div ersity. In the
2023 Staged series, we will encourage playwrights who identify as
LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and those who are otherwise underrepresented, to
submit. Since tickets to at least half of Staged performances are free,
with an option to make a donation, we hope to engage new audiences
who may not typically spend entertainment dollars on theatre. In this
way OdysseyStage can grow a larger and more div erse audience for
future shows
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
Location Description W e hav e identified two locations. The ArtsCenter in Carrboro has
accessibility for persons with disabilities. The entrance has wide
doors and no stairs. The v enue is located on Main Street, in the heart
of Carrboro, and is on a bus route. Its W est End Theatre is a
multipurpose room with a small stage and has no stairs. Chairs are
set for each performance, allowing plenty of room for wheelchairs.
W e reserv e seats for anyone with disabilities upon request. Both
bathrooms hav e handicapped stalls. Shared Visions Retreat Center
at the Murphey School is an historic school in rural Orange County,
repurposed as a community and ev ents center, with an accessible
ramp and restroom. The auditorium can be set with mov able chairs
for mobility considerations. W e are considering a potential third
v enue, the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill, which offers classes and
serv ices for older adults and has a significant Asian population.
OdysseyStage has prev iously brought sev eral theatre performances
to this underserv ed population. The Seymour Center is fully
accessible, including an elev ator to the auditorium, which has a
stage. Parking, including handicapped spaces, is av ailable at all
sites.
In the age of COVID-19, we will continue to take measures to protect
our cast, company, and audience. Our policy has continued to ev olv e
in accordance with CDC guidelines. For rehearsals and performances
we require proof of v accination, and masks are mandatory for the
audience (masks are av ailable at the entrance). Actors remov e their
masks for speaking parts but mask when not speaking. Social
distancing for the audience is encouraged by spacing chairs apart
from each other and by encouraging indiv iduals to leav e unoccupied
seats between them and their neighbors. Additionally, the audience
has been seated 20 feet from the readers on the stage. For 2023, we
expect to continue these protocols. W e will follow CDC, federal, and
state directiv es, recognizing that guidelines may change to meet new
challenges from the COVID-19 v irus
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
Artist Description Playwrights. W e will first reach out to OdysseyStage company
members to submit scripts, and also ask them to solicit scripts from
the network of Triangle playwrights whose work we admire.
OdysseyStage members hav e collaborated with or participated in
play readings with Sips & Scripts, the Greensboro Playwrights Forum,
Triangle Playwrights, Goodly Frame Theatre, and the Cary Playwrights
Forum. Therefore we are familiar with many talented playwrights and
directors in the Triangle and Triad. A div erse panel of readers will
rev iew submissions.
Directors and actors. Once scripts hav e been selected,
OdysseyStage will reach out to a range of directors in the div erse
theatre community. Directors will solicit actors (some may hold
auditions) for the readings. W e will utilize non-traditional casting
whenev er possible.
Moderators. OdysseyStage will recruit div erse theatre professionals
as moderators for the talk-backs.
In all cases, we will reach out to div erse artists, encouraging
nontraditional casting. W e expect readers to select plays that are well
written, fully dev eloped, stage-able, with attention giv en to stories
from div erse perspectiv es.
Are you hiring
multicultural artists
with the requested
funds from this
grant?
Yes
For each multicultural
artist you intend to
hire, please list their
name, race, and how
much you plan to pay
them.
W e do not know who we will cast yet. W e pay all artists a stipend, $20
to $100 per artist per performance depending on funding. All actors
are paid the same in the same performance.
Some of our artists from past productions:
Regina Dozier, Sandra W allace-Smith, Ev it Emerson, Sierra Smith,
Lou Campbell, Dani Coan, Gerald Rubin,
all of whom are Black Actors
Debbie Vu, Asian American actor
Anthony Garcia-Copian, Cuban American playwright
Karen Dacons-Brock, Black director
Jeff Aguiar, Lantix director
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
How will the
project/program be
publicized and
promoted to reach
intended
participants?
Staged: New Play Readings will include promotional approaches that
OdysseyStage has successfully employed to reach audiences. These
include social media posts (and sharing posts with related groups,
such as writers and theatre professionals) email blasts, online and
print listings, press releases, radio announcements, and radio and
podcast interv iews. The OdysseyStage website will feature Staged:
New Play Readings prominently and include photos and bios of the
playwright, actors, and other theatre professionals inv olv ed with the
show. W e expect plays with div erse perspectiv es to engage a more
div erse company of theatre professionals, giv ing OdysseyStage
opportunities to reach new, more div erse audiences. Playwrights
selected for the series will be prov ided with electronic publicity
materials to forward to personal contacts and a limited number of
posters may be av ailable. This step allows OdysseyStage to reach
new Orange County communities through the playwrights
themselv es. A Staged series logo will be designed with key content
for wide audience appeal. Publicity messages will prominently
announce that Staged is presented free at some v enues through
OCAC support. W e will collaborate with Triangle Playwrights and Sips
& Scripts to find playwrights, and both groups agree to promote the
series to div erse communities. OdysseyStage will consider the
subject matter of scripts to identify additional communities and
organizations with potential interest, reaching out to new and div erse
populations through emails, calendar listings, announcements, and
interv iews. Social media focus includes regularly scheduled posts
featuring appealing aspects of a production. Ads and other
opportunities on Facebook and Instagram are planned.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
How will you
evaluate the success
of the program?
Staged: New Play Readings will be ev aluated using sev eral
approaches. (1) OdysseyStage will track attendance numbers for
each staged reading, broken out by v enue and/or performance. (2) A
talk-back session after each staged reading will engage the audience
in a conv ersation with the playwright and director. Audience
members will hav e the option to submit written responses. (3) A brief
follow-up audience surv ey will include ethnicity, age range, and other
audience div ersity questions; a checklist for artistic quality, subject
matter interest, satisfaction with their talk-back participation; and
ov erall satisfaction with the ev ent. The surv ey will ask how the
responder learned about Staged: New Play Readings and request
input on whether the play should mov e to a full production. (4) An
OdysseyStage project committee will dev elop selection criteria that
they use to ev aluate and select quality scripts. Selection criteria will
include a range of themes, engaging a div erse group of playwrights,
actors, and directors. The ev aluation will include a rev iew of the
selection results matched with the selection criteria. (5) A brief follow-
up surv ey for playwrights will ask about the submission process, the
preparation and rehearsal process, the multicultural impact of the
series, and their satisfaction with how the staged reading contributed
to improv ing their script as well as optional demographic questions
such as age, race, ethnicity and gender identification. (7) An
additional long-term ev aluation of the process will be to learn whether
a selected script has mov ed to a fully staged production as a result
of Staged: New Play Readings.
PROJECT/PROGRAM
BUDGET
Please fill out the charts below with your project's expenses and
income. Use the "Explanation" box to offer details for each category.
NOTE: The Total Cash Expense must equal the Total Cash Income.
Project Expense
Expenses-english-rev ised.xlsx
Project Income
Income-english-rev ised.xlsx
Resumes of artists/administrators
Zuv er_resume_2022_Odyssey.pdf
Burridge-resume_2022.pdf
Theatrical_Resume_2022.docx
RESUME_CV2022_DK.pdf
Board of Directors List
OS_BOD_List_as_of_3-2022.docx
IRS Tax Exemption
2021_990_tax_filing_for_IRS.docx
Publicity Samples
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820
PMSOYL_Poster_v 2.2.png
Milk_and_Honey_W hiskey1.png
JJ_Soldier_Poster_W ithTicketLink.png
W D_Program.pdf
ONA_CVNC_THEATRE_REVIEW PRINT.pdf
W ork Samples
ONA_5_page_sample.pdf
Seeing_Light_Act_2_scene_5_DK_sample_OCAC_grant.pdf
Fortuna_-_sample.pdf
opening_scene_from_W hite_Fire_Black_Ash.pdf
Video Sample:
External Link 1
n/a
Video Sample:
External Link 2
n/a
Video Sample:
External Link 3
n/a
Letters of support (optional)
Odyssey_Stage-letter_of_gratitude.pdf
Scan_20220603.pdf
Yv ette_Holder_Letter_of_Support.docx
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1315607F-75E6-42DD-A441-EE50D987E820