ATLAS (Advanced Training Leading Actors to Success)

NEW - ATLAS application now available. Click here.

ATLAS FAQs
 
Theatre Bay Area is proud to announce the return of one our most popular and beneficial programs. The program was initially developed in 2008 as a resource for actors to identify personalized career goals and to better understand where they fit in the Bay Area theatrical landscape. Since then, approximately 100 actors have participated in the program and 15 have received grants (Titan Awards) to help implement their career plans.

Based on the tremendous success of the program, Theatre Bay Area is bringing ATLAS back, with future rounds focusing on different disciplines within the field. The information below pertains to the first round being offered in early 2012, which will again focus on actors. This will be followed by a round for directors in the spring of 2012.  

What is ATLAS?
ATLAS (Advanced Training Leading Artists to Success) is a program designed to lead artists through the process of developing a personal career map (read: "business plan"). Participants who complete the training can submit their map and four will be granted with a Titan Award, which includes $1,000 toward the implementation of that map, a year-long mentorship with a field professional and other career-boosters.
There are two ways to participate:
Fellowship Track: Up to 40 actors will be able to enroll in the "Fellowship Track" of the program. These actors will pay $250 (either in one lump sum or in 3 installments) to attend all 17 hours of training. These actors will also get an automatic slot in the 2012 General Auditions as well as feedback from the auditions that can inform their map. Only actors who are in the Fellowship Track can submit their career map to apply for a grant at the end of the training. Applications for the program are found on the Theatre Bay Area website and are due to be postmarked by December 5.
Register per Class: Each class will be available for individual registration on a per-class basis. More information on this will be announced soon.

Who is the program for?
Actors. Any actor that meets the eligibility requirements (the same as for the General Auditions) can apply to be in the fellowship track. This can include actors who are just on the cusp of eligibility and actors who are more established. Anyone can register on a per-class basis as space allows, regardless of this eligibility.

How much does it cost?
The fellowship track costs $250 for 17 hours of training. This amount can be paid in full with the application or in three installments: $100 due with application, $75 due by January 3, 2012 and $75 due by February 1, 2012. Payment can made by cash (in person only at the Theatre Bay Area offices), check (enclosed with ATLAS application) or credit card (information submitted with ATLAS application). Once accepted into the program, ATLAS fees are nonrefundable. Each of the seven workshops will be offered as individual classes for $35 per class.

What do I get for my money?
Not only do you get the 17 hours of training, as outlined below, but you also get a guaranteed slot in the 2012 General Auditions and feedback from the auditions will be shared with you during the training to help you in the development of your career map. You also get the benefits of networking with actors who take their careers as seriously as you do.

Who can participate in ATLAS Fellowship Track?
All participants must:

• be members of Theatre Bay Area through April 30, 2012 (both equity and non)

• meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the 2012 General Auditions

• be able to participate in the 2012 General Auditions (February 4 -6, 2012)

• have lived in the Bay Area for at least one year (since January 1, 2011)

• be at least 18 years of age

• not be a high school student or currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate arts program

• agree to attend all 17 hours of training as outlined in the class schedule

• agree to maintain Theatre Bay Area membership through April 30, 2013 should they be granted

• agree to keep the Bay Area as primary residence though April 30, 2013 should they be granted

• enclose either the entire payment of $250 or a $100 deposit (and agree to make the additional payments by their respective deadlines)

How will you choose the 40 fellowship track actors?
If we receive more than 40 applications for the track, a screening committee will review the applications and chose up to 40 participants, based on their resumes and cover letters. Any actors not chosen will have their deposit/enrollment fee returned and their application for the General Auditions will be submitted into the lottery. Any actors who do not meet the minimum eligibility for the fellowship track are welcome to enroll in each individual workshop on a per class basis.

What is the class schedule?
The schedule for the classes is below. Classes will be held at Intersection for the Arts in downtown San Francisco. All classes are required to successfully prepare the participants to submit their career maps.
 Saturday, February 11, 2012: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 18, 2012: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  
 Monday, February 27, 2012: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.  
 Monday, March 5, 2012: 6 p.m.– 10 p.m.

What is a "career map"?
A career map is most comparable to a business plan. It has specific steps to reach your own goals, a timeline meet the goals and the expected result of reaching the goals.

How do you plan to lead actors through the process of developing a map?
Through the course of the 17 hours of workshop trainings, each participant will learn how to set goals, get an overview of the Bay Area acting scene and get specific business and personal tools to advance their careers. Participants will take this information and put it toward outlining their own specific steps toward reaching the next step in their career.

What kind of things can be included in my career map?
It is vital that your career map be beneficial to you whether you get the grant or not. The point of that plan is to identify the things that you know or discover that you want to do in order to take you to the next level in your career. Simply articulating these steps is an important step in career development that is rarely taken, yet hugely beneficial. Even if you are not granted, the process of going through this career examination will have lasting benefit. Your career map may include such diverse steps as new headshots, renting or purchasing a car to increase your ability to audition/work at areas farther away from your home, taking a job at a smaller company that offers you a particular benefit, financing a showcase for yourself or taking advantage of training opportunities (although keep in mind if that training is outside of the Bay Area you should make it clear the impact this training will have on you when you return to your Bay Area work). These examples are not intended to limit the types of things you might want to put on your map. These are just to give you some ideas that are in the realm of possibility. The map is your own personal creation. The map should also include a request for a particular mentor and how that partnership would affect your career in the coming year.

Who can I ask to mentor with?
Anyone you think would help you reach the steps in your personal career goals. It could be an actor, a director, a casting director, a teacher, a bookkeeper, a financial planner: whatever it is that is specific to your plan and your map to success. We don't guarantee we will be able to get your first choice, so please feel free to make a couple of suggestions and we will do our best.

Do I have to name a particular person as a mentor?
You don't have to name your potential mentor, but could say what qualities/experiences you would be looking for in your mentor.

What is a Titan Award?
Four Titan Awards will be given from among the actors who have completed the training and submitted their career map for evaluation by a panel of professionals. The Titan Award consists of $1,000 toward the implementation of the actor's career map, a year-long mentorship with a professional and many other benefits.

How will the grant be distributed?
Once granted, an actor will submit a request to Theatre Bay Area and their mentor for costs involved with a specific step in their map. Once the request is approved by all parties, a check will be cut.

Is the grant taxable?
YES! You will receive a 1099 for all grant dollars paid to you over the course of a calendar year. Since the granting period can be as long as through April 30, 2009 a Titan Award winner may actually receive two 1099s, depending on the flow of the funds.

What if I am not currently a member of Theatre Bay Area?
You must be a member of Theatre Bay Area by December 5, 2011 (membership good through 4/30/2012) in order for your application to be processed. Ideally, send your membership form with your application or join online at www.theatrebayarea.org. On the application form where it asks for your membership number please write "just joined."

How do I apply?
Applications are available on the Theatre Bay Area web site and in Theatre Bay Area magazine. Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter of no more than one page where you tell us three things about you as an actor, three things you like about working in the Bay Area, and three you have done to make a change in your career.

What if I am a member of Theatre Bay Area and do not have my membership number?
Leave this line blank if you do not have your number. Please do not call or email Theatre Bay Area for this number. We will associate it with your membership when it arrives and contact you if we have questions. A side note: You need your membership number to access the TBA web site and maximize your membership. Feel free to contact us at tba@theatrebayarea.org for your log-in information.
 
When is the application due?
The applications must be postmarked by December 5, 2011. No late applications can be accepted. This rule is strictly enforced!
 
How do I hear whether or not I have been accepted into the Fellowship Track?
All applicants will receive notification by email.
 
What if I have more questions?
For additional questions, please contact Dale Albright, director of field services, at (415) 430-1140, x14. You can also email him at dale@theatrebayarea.org.