Proposal

To create a monthly cabaret at the Byron Bay Community Centre.
Directed and Produced by Jem Edwards

Theatre to be turned into cabaret space, staged in the round. Raked seating to be stowed away and performance space in the round created, surrounded by tables to create small room/intimate space for performance.
Predominance of red colour, subdued light, cloth canopy to bring down grid height, use of spotlighting effects.
Bar in theatre.

Cabaret to alternate between well known national cabaret artists (e.g. Michaelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, Christa Hughes, Annie Lee, Paul Capsis) and local artists from the community. The shows will incorporate all aspects of cabaret, political skits, songs, lampooning, satire of current fashions and issues, burlesque, topical events, morals, cultural issues, etc.. Also a range of outrageousness from youth slanted performance to adult themed nights.

Each of the run of twelve shows will have a theme relevant to the month/time of year in Byron Bay.
Examples of possible themes:

Everything's ****ed

The Blandedization of Byron Bay
(don't jive me with that cosmic debris)

The Joys of Depression

Valentines Day (massacre)
(unrequited love songs, love's revenge, ex's revenge, bitterness, etc.)

Midsummer Pagan Solstice
(pagan bloodfest/horror)

Not the Blues Fest

Mother's Day

Queen's Birthday
(pretty vacant)

A Winter's Tale/The Winter of Discontent
(political satire etc.)

The Moon The Sun The Stars

Vision

Transform the theatre into a different magical performance space and encourage diversification of staging in the local production of shows and attract shows Australia wide.

A vibrant social scene can be created for a run of twelve shows, filling a gap for the local community, providing quality performance space/production and technical support in the cabaret genre for local artists and, a lively event for local and transient audiences.

50% of door and bar to be given to the BBCC theatre fund.

Provide technical support to the local community in varying the uses of the theatrical space.

Crew could be provided from local college to provide hands on experience of stage craft.

Promote Australian established and emerging cabaret acts and bring them to the local community.

Cabaret will draw together local artists from the community.

Possibility of cabaret house band and Musical Director.

Possible scripting of themes and character development for continuity.

Costs

Capacity of theatre in the round would be approximately 220, including use of circle/promenade area and standing room upstairs.
Tickets $15
Capacity crowd = $3,300
After promtional expenses (amounts to be arranged) 50% of door and bar to go to BBCC theatre fund (at capacity, approx $1,400)
Annual income approx $16,000
50% of door to be shared among performing and technical artists
Big name attractions: door price to vary according to artist, costs pending dicussion with agents

Marketing

A proportion of door to be used for marketing.
Strategy:
BAY FM interviews, live playback, etc.
The Echo
Byron Shire News
BBCC website
Emails
Mail Shots
A Frame on Jonson and Fletcher streets
Bios in theatre
Flyers
Posters
Banner in front of theatre

To assist funding, sponsors will be sought from local businesses

Theatre sign erected to indicate theatre location

Potential Local Artists Pool

Singer Songwriters

Vasudha
Jem Edwards
Gyan
Jez
James Cruickshank
Sal Yates
Andy Parkes
Gummaroy
Mick Daley
Russel Hibbs
Andy Forbes
Ms Exotic & Ms Defy

Performance Poets

Daevid Allen
Gina Lakosta
Archie
Janie Treasure
Christine Strelan
Michael Jonson
David Hallet

Comedians/MCs

Mandy Nolan
Sandi Ghandi
Hanuman

Actors

April Galetti
Linda
Avikal

Dancers

Jason Campbell (breakdance)
Nirmala (burlesque)
Ali Toft (auslan)
Daniella (hip hop, salsa)
Angie Keenan (tango)

Circus Performers

Suzie Lee
Spaghetti Circus
Byron Circus

Musicians

Cleis Pearce violin
Louis Bidet drums
Thierry Fosomale bass
Robbie cello
Steve Berryman saxophone
Johnny Lacey didjeridoo
Bobbi Rossini piano
Eshua & Scott didjeridoo
Jem Edwards guitar, keyboard, percussion

Live Visual Artists

Kellie O'Dempsey
Clintstallations
Cerise

Technical Requirements

Production Manager Jem Edwards
Lighting Bobbie Rossini
Sound Pralad
Wardrobe Carissa
Stage/Props Jem Edwards
Front Of House BBCC volunteers
Cleaners
Crew SAE/TAFE student volunteers