Austin Improv

Hello all. I wanted to just post some notes out to the forum on a meeting that Asaf and I had with Latifah Taormina, executive director for the Austin Circle of Theaters (ACOT). We are fortunate to have someone in that role that not only understands and appreciates improv, but who also has a somewhat storied past with it (see also: http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase ... oid:346205).

Latifah was able to advise us on a couple of issues facing the AIC and Hideout at this time, but I really just wanted to post a couple of useful notes on how ACOT supports theater groups in general here in austin, including us. The AIC is currently a sponsored project of ACOT, a program designed for emerging arts organizations.

- One of the first benefits is the http://www.NowPlayingAustin.comwebsite which lists all theater performances in Austin and gets 45,000 visits a month. To let the site know about your event, send your listing to austininfo@bedynamic.com. Pictures help - and show up as 126 x 126 pixels in their weekly e-minder (audience of 20k/mo. according to their web-site). Additionally, they have the ability to feature youtube (or similar) video embedded in their front page.

- There is a classifieds section that you can post pretty much anything out there, corkboard style, but theoretically aimed at Theater. Announce classes, shows, etc... . They are also currently working on improving the site to allow for a searchable database of available theater space (for renting/renters).

- They produce the annual B. Iden Payne awards (with it's improv category) to celebrate local theatrical achievement.

- They acts as a fiscal agent through the sponsored project program, for qualified artists and organizations seeking cultural arts funding from the City of Austin (see also: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/culturalcont ... licant.htm, up to $5k for first time applicants). Andrea recently asked about GGG/LAFF applying for city funding and if they need to do it on their own or under this existing umbrella 501(c)3 arrangement. As soon as we hear back on that, we'll post the info out here. ACOT also offers insurance for any project it acts as fiscal agent for (it's required by the city). If you need more info, or the specific tax IDs, etc... please contact me.

- Other benefits, such as professional development seminars, production consluting, marketing and PR services are listed here: http://www.acotonline.org/Pages/Programs.html

For specific questions on their services, please contact them directly at:

Austin Circle of Theaters
701 Tillery St., #9
Austin, TX 78702
acot@acotonline.org
(512) 247-2531


Mike

thanks for posting this mike!

i just wanted to add a little bit of clarifying info to this post.

ggg is currently seeking a city grant for this year's LAFF festival. however, we have just found out that individual troupes are NOT covered under AIC's status as a sponsored project. so what that means is that if your troupe has a special event that needs external funding, you first have to become a sponsored project yourself.

A public congratulations to Andrea and GGG for getting the maximum allowable grant from the city.

We (the AIC) have been a sponsored ACoT project for a while but just this year did we pay dues so we were sent their info packet with member benefits. I've typed up a bunch here (there's some good stuff). There's two more sheets - one on getting liability insurance for productions and another for more on Fractured Atlas - but it seems identical to what's out on their site. If this information below is out on the ACoT website, please don't tell me since I just spent a while typing it up for all y'all.

Mike

[quote]
How to access key ACoT Membersihp Benefits for your organization:
- How to post your events on NowPlayingAustin.com:

Always send your event in fo and press releases to austininfo@bedynamic.com (BeDynamic is the content provider for our nowplayingaustin site. They load up your info. We do not, so send corrections/changes to them as well.)

The more notice you ive the audience the better, but BeDynamic needs at least one week to get your info on the site. Give them time to do that.

Your email to BeDynamic should include all relevant event info including title, genre, blurb about the event, producing company, date, time, venue, box office and ticket info.

Provide a primary image you woul like to accompany the event information. (Image File must be in jpeg format, 72 dpi and 120 picels wide max)

Provide secondary images for your media gallery. This is optional (up to 6 images no wider or higher than 300 pixels max.)

- How to get the word out regarding your auditions, call for Artists, Want Ads, etc…

Post these directly on NowPlayingAustin.com. Go to the site. On the left hand side of the page under the heading “Site Servicesâ€

Miggy wrote:A public congratulations to Andrea and GGG for getting the maximum allowable grant from the city.

we couldn't have done this without the help of mike mcgill and the support of the aic! so thank you so much!

NowPlayingAustin.com also lets you create an Artist Profile for free:
http://www.nowplayingaustin.com/index.p ... files&pg=1
Mine, for example:
http://www.nowplayingaustin.com/index.p ... tail&id=73

and there's an Organization directory, too, for your troupe:
http://www.nowplayingaustin.com/index.p ... anizations

This lets you link Event listings to your troupe or personal information.
For example - Gnap! Theater Projects:
http://www.nowplayingaustin.com/index.p ... l&id=36224

Is anyone using these services? Just curious.

No. This list somehow slipped past my consciousness.

I will start using them, though.

I have mixed feelings about ACoT, to be honest. What little interaction I've had with them and their website makes me think that they're a lot smaller-time than they let on. Close to 1/4 (or was it 1/3) of the email addresses and websites in their member theater groups section are no longer active, for example.

kbadr wrote:I have mixed feelings about ACoT, to be honest. What little interaction I've had with them and their website makes me think that they're a lot smaller-time than they let on. Close to 1/4 (or was it 1/3) of the email addresses and websites in their member theater groups section are no longer active, for example.

Well, I've spent quite a bit of time in the ACoT office on Tillery for auditions, and I've met the staff. It's a small non-profit organization that is trying its best to provide a valuable service to performers in the Austin community. The member artists and groups are responsible for maintaining their own information on the website. If info is out of date, it's not the fault of the ACoT office; it's negligence on the part of the participants!

Hey gang--Now Playing Austin now has a separate tab for comedy and improv. Check it out. Good way to spread the word about shows. Plus you can submit events yourself, which I'm not sure you could do before.