The fifth annual 111111 UpStage Festival is now accepting proposals.

UpStage is a web-based platform for cyberformance: remote performers combine images, animations, audio, web cams, text and drawing in real-time for an online audience.

This year, the festival coincides with the full moon, and we encourage proposals that incorporate this, but you do not need to be restricted to this theme. The only limitations are that all shows must be created and performed in UpStage, and must not be longer than 20 minutes and 11 seconds (during the festival a performance begins every half hour).

Before submitting a proposal, you are welcome to join us in UpStage to learn about the platform and the festival, discuss project ideas and meet potential “co-conspirators”. There will be online sessions on:

9 March: introduction to UpStage
=> 9am NZ time (find your local time here)
=> 9pm NZ time (find your local time here)

6 April: pitching and matchmaking (artists seeking collaborators can pitch ideas to others seeking a group to join). Times will be advertised on the web site.

Please email info [at] upstage.org.nz if you need a guest log-in for these sessions or have any questions. The sessions will be held in the Swaray stage.

Proposals must be emailed to info [at] upstage.org.nz by April 11 2011.

Please submit:

- the title of the show (it can be a working title);
- explanation of the concept (not more than one page);
- names and locations of people involved;
- brief background/bios (not more than 300 words each);
- an image that gives an idea of the thematic content;
- contact email and postal address.

All proposals will be considered by the 111111 UpStage Festival curatorial panel and the selection will be announced on 11 May. The selected performances will be supported with mentoring and training as required. The festival will take place on and around 11 November 2011 (depending on your time zone) and each performance will normally play 2-3 times during the festival. The exact schedule will be negotiated between everyone involved and announced on 11 October 2011.

Information about past festivals, including showreels, can be found here.

Vicki Smith & Helen Varley Jamieson
111111 UpStage Festival Architects