Guidelines for NCTC Pitch Meetings

1. Play Info
a. Summary of the play
b. Ideas, Concepts, or Themes the script stresses
c. Additional Ideas, Concepts, and Themes you (the director) want to stress
d. Cast ideas; including casting notice

2. Technical Info
a. Basic Set ideas
b. Basic technical demands
c. Basic costume ideas

3. Crew, PR, and other info
a. Supporting crew people – not the people, the projected need.
b. Poster ideas, logo, etc.
c. Major limitations and how you (the director) suggest overcoming them.
d. Any other notes or ideas about your (the director’s) vision

Above is a basic outline to shape a director’s pitch. This is not the only way to pitch, but it’s helpful for the theater to hear a lot of these points during the director’s pitch.

Over the last year, we’ve seen visual aides, mock sets, drawings, prospectus-type info, computer drafting, pictures, etc. Any of these are great to enhance a pitch, but please work with what you are most comfortable. The more comfortable you are, the better the pitch will be. Also use this time effectively. If you are doing a simple set that can be easily explained with a drawing, it probably isn’t helpful to do a full mock-up set model. But if the costumes are the focus of your play pitch, a few samples of colors, fabric, and cost would be a better use of your time in the pitch rather than breaking down every possible theme of the play. Please play toward your strengths and maximize your time during the pitch.

There are two things that every pitch must have. One, a complete and finalized casting notice; basically a list of all the parts you are looking to cast with some supporting information (age range, type, description). Two, a fully thought out logo and/or poster; this doesn’t need to be a final product, but should be something we could turn into a final product very quickly. Do not use copyrighted or trademarked logos, etc. We will help turn it into a finished product.

Hopefully, this information will help guide you as you dive into these plays. Please feel free to contact Darren Mathews at artistic-director@newnantheatre.org with any questions about the pitch via e-mail. If you are interested in pitching a show for the 2010 season on either the main stage or in the black box, please contact me via e-mail with the show, time of year, director’s name, phone number, e-mail and the best day of the week/time to schedule the pitch.