Application FAQ

ORCHARD PROJECT APPLICATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

HOW DO I/WE GET SELECTED?
We have created this simple application process to free up our resources to devote to the actual residencies. After receiving all the applications, we will ask some applicants for more info and possibly work samples. We hope to be in touch with shortlisted applicants by early January in order to get additional materials announce residencies in late February.

WHAT KINDS OF GROUPS CAN APPLY?
The Orchard Project accepts theatre and dance artists and teams of all shapes, sizes and experience levels. 

HOW LONG IS THE APPLICATION AND DO I NEED TO SEND SCRIPTS?
We hate long applications as much as you do, so our application is intentionally very short. Complete our short online questionnaire. The form should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. As we are interested in you or your company first and foremost, we do not need to see scripts.

I AM NOT ATTACHED TO A COMPANY, BUT WANT TO SUBMIT. CAN I?
YES!  A major focus of the OP has been and always will be exciting ensemble or producing companies, but in the last three years, the OP has hosted a number of individual artists. The experience of mixing these individuals with companies in residence has always proven fertile, and as thus, we are now making the policy of allowing individual applications official.

I AM A DIRECTOR, ACTOR or DESIGNER GENERATING WORK. CAN I APPLY?
Of course! The Orchard Project accepts individual artists, teams and companies. 

CAN A COMPANY APPLY MULTIPLE TIMES?
Yes. What is important about our application process is the WHO, not the WHAT. As such a company can have multiple applications for different teams or groups that they would like to send to the Orchard Project. This is most likely to occur under the auspices of a non-ensemble company such as the vast majority of LORT and ANTC companies. If such a company applies without describing which artists in particular they want to support, we will ask for clarification.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN WE BRING?
Anywhere from 1 to 14 participants. All accepted residents are provided room and board by the Orchard Project.  We want you to have the resources you need to take the greatest risks possible. However, due to limited resources, we may not be able to accommodate all your requests. Very often, we match sole artists in residence with companies also in residence -- providing the artist with overlapping resources that allow them to have a impromptu reading or discussion about their work. We have also been known to bring actors up specifically for sole artists in residence. This flexibility is something unique and special about the Orchard Project and we take great pride in how we make it work.

HOW LONG DO I/WE GET TO STAY?
In the past, most companies have stayed for about a week, but there have also been some that have been granted longer stays and some that have chosen to condense their process into smaller amounts of time.

WHAT TECHNICAL RESOURCES ARE AT THE ORCHARD PROJECT?
This is a list that is ever growing, but in addition to tons and tons of space, we have an every growing collection of stereos, keyboards, use of a piano, a marley floor, some simple lighting equipment and more.   

WHAT OTHER ARTISTS WILL BE AT THE ORCHARD PROJECT?
We have already hosted artists from companies as diverse as Tectonic, Elevator Repair Service, Radiohole, Pig Iron, the Royal Court, The National Theatre Studio (UK), Chase Brock Experience, Rude Mechs, New Georges and The Civilians -- just to name a few -- so you can expect a very diverse group. 

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION FEE?
$25

WHY IS THERE A FEE?
In years past, our selection process was only by nomination. However, even with the nomination process, the excitement around the Orchard Project has led to a huge amount of interest, and the process has often taken longer than we had hoped. This is a challenge as we are committed that every dollar we raise for the Orchard Project go to the actual program rather than get caught in overhead.  Everyone who works on the Orchard Project are working artists themselves, and the OP only gets their full attention in the lead-up to the season. The application fee is used to bring on a staff for the application process and run this website in order to process them quickly and ensure their timely turnaround.

WHAT ABOUT DOGS AND KIDS?
Great question. We try to live by the golden rule while at the same time making sure such does not come at the expense of other artists at the Orchard Project. Decisions are always made on a case by case basis about children, but in general, the OP cannot be required to provide any child care facility. There may be a particular house where we can host pets, but such decisions are on a case by case basis in consultation with companies and the Catskill Mountain Foundation, who owns all the facilities.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXCHANGE AND THE ORCHARD PROJECT?
The Exchange is a NYC based theatre company and organization that oversees and runs the Orchard Project.  Work developed at the Orchard Project may or may not be work produced by the Exchange, but the company is adapting to serve the exceptional network of artists and companies that have been through the Orchard Project.  As such, those who have been given residencies are provided with other support from the Exchange year round.

GIVE BACK TO THE ORCHARD PROJECT
The Orchard Project was founded by artists for artists as a place to support theatre companies and bold artist and their continued excellence by providing them with an opportunity to take risks in an ideal location.

Companies and artists supported by the Orchard Project are requested to sign a memorandum of understanding that they will publish the Orchard Project logo and credit: [TITLE OF COMPANY] WAS A RESIDENT COMPANY/ARTIST OF THE ORCHARD PROJECT in press and publicity materials related to the company/artist.

In addition, on the title page of all printed materials of future readings, workshops, productions, recordings and publications of projects developed at the Orchard Project, the company will publish [TITLE OF PLAY] WAS DEVELOPED, IN PART, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE ORCHARD PROJECT. Contracted commissions or producers do not affect the selection of projects for the Orchard Project, and commercial producers can also apply.

Failure to comply with any of the above terms and conditions will render the artist or company ineligible to apply to the Orchard Project in the future.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? EMAIL US AT INFO@EXCHANGENYC.ORG

If you are ready to apply, please make sure to

REGISTER ON EXCHANGENYC.ORG 
and you will see the application link show up on the right side of the screen.