Call For Artists '25-'26

2025-2026 Performance Partnership Program

The Southern Theater’s Performance Partnership Program (PPP) is a competitive program that gives artists and non-profit performing arts organizations the opportunity to present their work at The Southern Theater. Our desire in offering this program is to support emerging artists and underrepresented stories, offering a space for individuals and collectives to work on their craft and build an audience without financial burden.

Our Performance Partnership Program application for the 2025-2026 season is now open, which will begin in December 2025 and go through September 2026.

We hope you will apply! See our current 24-25 Partners here.

PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DETAILS:

• Eight (8) partnership opportunities are available for the 25/26 season.
• Partnerships are granted access to the theater for one run of a performance with a maximum booking of 2 weeks as availability allows.
• Partnership bookings will take place in December '25-February '26 and June–September '26.
• Your only cost directly to us is a nominal, non-refundable deposit of $200 to secure your dates. (If this is a hardship, please explain further in your application.)
• We will offer a 60/40 ticket split, in your favor, regardless of number of tickets sold.
• We will promote your performance, specifically as part of our Partnership Program group marketing. This will include promotion on The Southern Theater’s website, social media pages, and email lists. You will be asked to provide text and digital assets to supplement promotion, such as photographs and video content.
• All Partners must use The Southern Theater's ticketing program and ticket staff. Use of third party ticketing programs will not be permitted.
• Participating shows must provide their own sound/lighting tech and stage manager.

TO APPLY:

Tell us about who you are and why this partnership would benefit, support, or encourage your group. Tell us about some of your past shows, and why you think The Southern Theater would be the best home for your work. Please note that the most competitive applications propose new work that is specific to this program -- you are free to submit proposals for events you have produced in the past (or annually produce), but we highly encourage submissions that break new ground.

In addition, please propose two options of dates between December 2025 and September 2026, taking into account the available months of Dec–Feb and June–Sept, in which you would like to run your show. [Please note: we cannot guarantee these dates, and all dates are on a first come, first served basis once your application is accepted.] 

Applications are open beginning December 9th, 2024. Please send your application to info@southerntheater.org addressed to Jo Kellen. All are welcome to apply! Please note that if you were a partner in the past, or are currently one, that does not guarantee you will be selected for the upcoming season; as we seek to open our doors to an ever-growing audience. 

1. Please provide an overview of your artistic career. How many shows have you done/how long have you been a company/producing artist? Any highlights you’d like to mention? (This can be a resume, or you can provide the information through other means if you prefer.)
2. What would you like to present at The Southern Theater? Why is the Southern the best place to realize this performance?
3. How would this opportunity evolve your artistic practice beyond what you've realized in past productions?
4. Who will you collaborate with to stage your performance? Why?
5. How will you lead the effort to promote your performance? How will you work in tandem with the Southern to strategize communications?
6. If available, please include a work sample(s). Hyperlinks to host sites are welcome, and we ask that video content not exceed 10 minutes.

Applications must be submitted by January 19th, 2025. Partners will be notified of their acceptance by February 2025.