PAD SHOWCASE FAQs

How do I apply to PAD Showcase?

Apply here by 11:59pm PT on Friday, January 17.

What is PAD Showcase? What does the program provide?

PAD showcase provides an international showcase opportunity for U.S.-based performing artists who are ready to tour. Artists/ensembles selected for the program receive:

• Support from our expert video production team to create a professionally-produced live performance video which PAD will promote and showcase on an online platform for international markets.

• A one-year complimentary WAA membership

• Professional development opportunities

• Support to attend the 2025 WAA Annual Conference in Los Angeles

• Marketing opportunities at the 2025 Annual Conference

• Priority consideration in the selection process for 2025 PADX delegations

Who is eligible to apply for PAD Showcase?

US-based performing artists from all traditional, classical, contemporary, and culturally specific art forms with readiness to tour internationally are eligible to apply.

Applicants must be US citizens or have permanent resident status. Ensembles that include non-US citizens/non-permanent US residents are eligible to apply if the leadership and majority of the ensemble meet the US citizen/permanent resident requirement.

Participants of the PAD Showcase must be available for a 3 - 6 hour shoot (one day) between March 2025 and June 2025. Participants are also expected to find their own shooting/performing venue; PAD producers will provide help and leads when available.

What is the application process?

Applications open on November 13 and close on Friday, January 17 at 11:59pm PT. The application requires an artist statement, performance video sample(s), technical requirements for your work, and details of past touring that demonstrates your readiness to tour. Apply here.

What if I have questions about my application?

PAD will offer information sessions, to walk you through the application process, on the following dates:

• Online Info Session*: Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 10:00 am PT;

• In-person Info Session at APAP: Saturday, January 11, 2025, 12:30 to 1:30 pm ET, in Concourse G at the Midtown Hilton.

*RSVP for the online session to receive Zoom link.

You may also reach out to PAD program manager, Ed Bourgeois, via email at: ebourgeois@westarts.org. 

How are applicants selected?

PAD artists/ensembles are selected by a panel review process, managed by WAA on behalf of the US Regional Arts Organizations, and comprised of a diverse group of peers from across the country.

All applications that meet the application eligibility will be reviewed based on the following criteria: 

1. Artistic excellence — 25 points  

   Does the artist/ensemble demonstrate a high level of artistry and expressiveness? (As evidenced in the work samples.)

2. Readiness to tour — 15 points 

   Do the history, experience, and promotional assets demonstrate a readiness to tour internationally? (Based on touring history, promotional assets, etc.) 

3. Artistic merit — 10 points 

   Does the work convey the cultural and aesthetic plurality of American culture to domestic and international audiences in a compelling way? (Based on the work samples and artist statement.)

I am not a WAA member. Can I apply for the PAD program?

Yes — WAA membership is not a requirement for the program.

How much does it cost to apply?

There’s no application fee for the PAD program.

Are ensembles/groups with performers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents eligible?

Yes — provided the leadership and majority of the performers in the ensemble/group are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

My agency is U.S.-based, but represents artists who are non-U.S. citizens/ non-permanent residents; are these performers eligible for the program?

Unfortunately, artists and ensembles on your roster who don’t meet the above leadership and majority performer requirements are ineligible for the PAD program.

Can I submit materials online — for example, my EPK and photos?

You can! The entire application process is online via Submittable — our submission management system.

What artistic disciplines are being considered?

The application focuses on theatre, music, and dance and multidisciplinary artists. Applicants will be sorted by discipline for the jury process, so please be as detailed as possible in your artist statement to help us assign the jurors most appropriate for your work.

Should any additional fees be anticipated?

There is no fee to apply for PAD.

A professional video production kit with production support is provided free of charge as part of the program. Any additional equipment must be provided by the artist at their own expense. Artists are responsible for any costs and arrangements related to the rental of recording space, travel, and lodging for the recording session. Artists are also responsible for all necessary licenses and permissions to perform, promote, broadcast, transmit, and display all elements of their performance, including without limitation elements protected by copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy, rights of publicity, trade secret, and contract.

Are there any key dates I should be aware of?

• Applications open: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

• Applications close: Friday, January 17, 2025

• Artist notification: no later than Friday, March 14, 2025

• Showcase production begins March 2025

PAD SHOWCASE SPECIFICS

When will the PAD showcase take place?

PAD Showcase is via a virtual platform. The showcase for the 2025 PAD cohort expects to launch in August 2025. Former cohort showcases are available to view here.

Who will be able to access the showcase platform?

The showcase platform will be publicly available. WAA will promote the showcase platform to international programmers.

Is there a time limit for showcase videos?

Yes. Showcases should be around 15 minutes, and no longer than 15 minutes.

What support for recording the showcase will there be?

If selected, there are two options for producing your 15-minute showcase:

1. Utilize PAD resources to self-produce a showcase video with our production team’s recording package and remote production process. In advance of the recording session, all artists will receive training and direction on staging, set-up, equipment, and production. Performances will be recorded remotely and assembled by our showcase production team in Los Angeles with support from Ed Bourgeois, WAA’s PAD Program Manager. Our production team will sync, mix, edit, and title the video. Artists will have three days to complete the recording and return the equipment.

2. Artists/ensembles with the capacity to create their own showcase may do so, or may engage with an audiovisual professional in their area to record and submit a video that complies with the criteria and guidelines.

In the event that a selected artist/ensemble prefers/is unable to produce new material, they may use existing audio and video for their showcase, subject to the approval of PAD.

For option 2 and those who use pre-existing material, PAD will provide guidance to ensure the material fulfills the guidelines and requirements.

Note: Costs related to travel and potential facility rental to produce the showcase video is the responsibility of the artist/ensemble in all scenarios.

What is provided in the production kit?

PAD artists will receive a production kit including:

·       (3) HD cameras, tripods, SD Cards

·       (1) Six-Channel Digital Recorder

·       (1) Laptop Computer 

·       (1) Mobile Wireless Internet Modem

·       (1) Headphones

·       (4) Mics and Boom Stands

·       (1) External Hard Drive

The requisite cabling and ancillary equipment will also be included.

Who retains ownership of the produced showcase?

Once aired, the PAD artist will retain the rights to the work produced, and may utilize the showcase video for their own purposes. The work will also exist on a dedicated PAD digital platform.

OTHER QUESTIONS

Who can I contact with other questions?

Please reach out to Ed Bourgeois, PAD Program Manager — ebourgeois@westarts.org