The Q Collective

Auditions for Q-Bits Extended

We have extended our audition deadline for the Q-Bits Radio Play Podcast to June 15. Find more information here: https://theqcollective.theater/2021/05/17/auditions-for-season-1-of-q-bits/

Auditions for season 1 of Q-Bits

The Q Collective is seeking voice actors of various ages and genders for its upcoming radio play podcast series Q-Bits. Q-Bits is a brand-new podcast featuring plays exploring gender, sexuality, and romantic orientation.

Please email auditions@theqcollective.theater to receive sides to be recorded, either audio or video, and submitted.

Pay is $50 for the season.

We acknowledge that some roles may fall on the cisgender binary, but invite transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary performers to read for the roles, cisgender or otherwise, they most identify with. We encourage actors of all types, backgrounds, gender, and ability to audition. Unless a role specifies in the script, we will keep characters open to all backgrounds.

The Q Collective is committed to providing a safe environment for artists to work in and operates under the Chicago Theatre Standards. These standards can be reviewed at notinourhouse.org.

Submissions for radio play podcast Q-Bits now open

The Q Collective’s new podcast series Q-Bits is seeking script submissions for its first season beginning July 1 on Patreon. Q-Bits is a new series of short radio plays exploring, celebrating, and speaking to experiences of gender and sexual minorities.

Submission and Selection Period:

Radio plays for Q-Bits may be submitted via Google form on an ongoing basis. Playwrights selected will be notified no later than June 1 for season 1 inclusion. Submissions will also be considered for future seasons. Please see below for submission guidelines.

Compensation:

Selected playwrights will receive a $50 stipend for their work. The producer or director may contact the playwright for purposes of clarification, publicity, and other artistic, technical or broadcast marketing and promotion needs.

Broadcast Dates:

Broadcast of Q-Bits season 1 will begin July 1 on Patreon.

Playwrights will be invited to watch the recording of their play via Zoom. Additionally, playwrights are invited to one Zoom rehearsal of their play and are invited to provide feedback to the director after the rehearsal. Playwrights are encouraged to share any interviews and/or publicity materials via their social channels.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Scripts must fall under the Q Collective mission of exploring gender, sexuality, and romantic orientation.
- “A fundamental foundational principle of The Q Collective is to be open and welcoming to all gender identities, races, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, abilities, etc. Our work reflects these values and we encourage writers to embrace them.” – Sean Michael, Artistic Director of the Q Collective
Scripts shall be submitted in PDF format. Submitted scripts should bear only the title of the play. They shall not include a synopsis, author’s note, nor the name, address or other author-identifying information.
Scripts must be typewritten using a serif font. Scripts not typed in a serif font may be rejected.
Scripts must not exceed twenty minutes in length. We will not accept plays with longer run times. Please time your plays prior to submission. Fourteen to twenty pages of dialogue with minimal direction and stage notes are approximately twenty minutes, though this is not an exact science.
Due to the limitations of recording space scripts should require no more than four actors.
Radio plays should, where possible, indicate necessary sound effects.
Playwrights may submit multiple works.
Previously produced but unpublished works and well-developed works in progress are welcome; plays previously produced by The Q Collective are eligible.

To submit a play, please fill out this form and upload your blind copy here: https://forms.gle/RFnJe3h79gxU2v3g7

Submissions for the 2020 Coming Out Play Festival are open!

The Q Collective is seeking submissions for its upcoming original short play festival THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL.

Submission and Selection Period:

Plays for THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL may be submitted via Google form only from March 15 through May 31, 2020, with festival play selection completed by August 1, 2020. Playwrights selected will be notified by August 1.

Plays submitted should be based on a fairy tale, myth, legend, or classic literature. Please make sure works chosen are in the public domain. The playwright may additionally choose to pair a recent headline (two-years-old or less) with their selection.

Performance Dates:

Performances of THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL will take place Oct. 15-25, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Saturday through Sunday at 4:00 PM. All performances will be held at The Chapel.

Playwrights will be invited to the first read through of their play and a performance and are encouraged to invite friends as well as share any interviews and/or publicity materials via their social channels.

Compensation:

Selected playwrights will receive a $50 stipend for their work and two tickets to a performance of their choice. Playwrights may attend any rehearsals but are asked to please arrange ahead of time with the director of their piece. The producer or director may contact the playwright for purposes of clarification, publicity, and other artistic, technical or festival marketing and promotion needs.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Scripts must be typewritten using Samuel French guidelines (http://www.playwrightslocal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Samuel-French-Formatting-Guide.pdf).
Scripts must not exceed fifteen minutes in length. We will NOT accept plays with longer run times. Please time your plays prior to submission. A general page estimate for a 15-minute play includes approximately 14-20 pages, although this is clearly not an exact science.
Due to the limitations of our host venue’s theater space (proscenium with apron; stage proper is 12’x28′ and apron is 5’x22′), please limit your script to 1-6 actors. Roles may be doubled within our acting pool.
Please keep prop and set demands to an absolute minimum.
A fundamental foundational principle of The Q Collective is to be open and welcoming to all gender identities, races, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, abilities, etc. Our play festivals reflect these values and we encourage writers to embrace them.
Scripts shall be submitted in PDF format. Submitted scripts should bear only the title of the play. They shall NOT include a synopsis, author’s note, nor the name, address or other author-identifying information.
Playwrights may submit multiple works; however, no more than two (2) plays per playwright will be produced in the festivals.
Previously produced but unpublished works and well-developed works in progress are welcome; plays previously produced by The Q Collective are not eligible.

To submit a play, please fill out this form and upload your blind copy here: https://forms.gle/8RKsysMqCjrn6J4b8.

Submissions now open!

The Q Collective is seeking submissions for its upcoming original short play festivals THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL and THE TRANSLUMINATE ARTS FESTIVAL.

The Q Collective is seeking submissions for its upcoming original short play festivals THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL and THE TRANSLUMINATE ARTS FESTIVAL.

Submission and Selection Period:

Plays for THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL may be submitted via email only from June 1 through August 15, 2019, with festival play selection completed by September 1, 2019. Playwrights selected will be notified by September 1 and announced by September 15.

Topics of interest in this year’s festival include: Intersexuality, Bisexuality, Pansexuality, Polyamory, Coming Out in Immigrant Communities, Coming Out in Communities of Color, Coming Out as a Conservative Queer Person, Coming Out in Religious Communities, Coming Out Later in Life. Plays do not necessarily have to fall in one of these categories nor must they only explore the LGBTQIA+ experience of coming out.

Plays for THE TRANSLUMINATE ARTS FESTIVAL may be submitted via email only from June 1 through December 15, with festival play selection completed by January 5, 2020. Playwrights selected will be notified by January 5 and announced by January 15.

Topics of interest in this year’s festival include: Trauma associated with coming out as trans expansive, experiences of gender affirming surgery, experiences with starting hormones, dating someone with your deadname. Plays do not necessarily have to fall in one of these categories but must fall under the trans expansive experience in some way.

Performance Dates:

THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL will be held October 17 – 19, 2019, at The Monocle, in the Grove neighborhood of St. Louis.

THE TRANSLUMINATE ARTS FESTIVAL will be held February 27 – 29, 2020, at The Chapel, in the Wydown-Skinker neighborhood of St. Louis.

Compensation:

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Scripts must be typewritten using Samuel French guidelines (http://www.playwrightslocal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Samuel-French-Formatting-Guide.pdf).
Scripts must not exceed fifteen minutes in length. We will NOT accept plays with longer run times. Please time your plays prior to submission. A general page estimate for a 15-minute play includes approximately 14-20 pages, although this is clearly not an exact science.
Due to the limitations of our host venues’ theater space (proscenium with no apron, approximately 16 feet wide and 8 feet deep), please limit your script to 1-4 actors. Roles may be doubled within our acting pool.
Please keep prop and set demands to an absolute minimum.
A fundamental foundational principle of The Q Collective is to be open and welcoming to all gender identities, races, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, abilities, etc. Our play festivals reflect these values and we encourage writers to embrace them.
Scripts and cover pages shall be submitted in PDF format. Submitted scripts should bear only the title of the play. They shall NOT include a synopsis, author’s note, nor the name, address or other author-identifying information. To ensure blind review, please include a separate cover page document with the title of the play, name of the author, address, phone number, email, and university/college, theatre, or state affiliation, as applicable, as well as a synopsis of your play.
Playwrights may submit multiple works; however, no more than two (2) plays per playwright will be produced in the festivals.
Previously produced but unpublished works and well-developed works in progress are welcome; plays previously produced by The Q Collective are not eligible.
Works may be submitted for both

Submit plays and cover pages by email attachment in PDF format to: submissions@theqcollective.theater with the subject COMING OUT 2019 or TRANSLUMINATE 2020. Plays to be submitted to both festivals for consideration can be sent with the subject PLAY FESTIVAL SUBMISSION. Please direct any questions to Sean Michael at the same email address.

Submissions for Coming Out Open Soon!

The Q Collective will begin seeking submissions for its upcoming original short play festivals THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL and THE TRANSLUMINATE ARTS FESTIVAL on June 1, 2019.

The Q Collective will begin seeking submissions for its upcoming original short play festivals THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL and THE TRANSLUMINATE ARTS FESTIVAL on June 1, 2019.

Submission and Selection Period:

Performance Dates:

THE COMING OUT PLAY FESTIVAL will be held October 17 – 19, 2019, at The Monocle, in the Grove neighborhood of St. Louis.

THE TRANSLUMINATE ARTS FESTIVAL will be held February 27 – 29, 2020, at The Chapel, in the Wydown-Skinker neighborhood of St. Louis.

Compensation:

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Scripts must be typewritten using Samuel French guidelines (http://www.playwrightslocal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Samuel-French-Formatting-Guide.pdf).
Scripts must not exceed fifteen minutes in length. We will NOT accept plays with longer run times. Please time your plays prior to submission. A general page estimate for a 15-minute play includes approximately 14-20 pages, although this is clearly not an exact science.
Due to the limitations of our host venues’ theater space (proscenium with no apron, approximately 16 feet wide and 8 feet deep), please limit your script to 1-4 actors. Roles may be doubled within our acting pool.
Please keep prop and set demands to an absolute minimum.
A fundamental foundational principle of The Q Collective is to be open and welcoming to all gender identities, races, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, abilities, etc. Our play festivals reflect these values and we encourage writers to embrace them.
Scripts and cover pages shall be submitted in PDF format. Submitted scripts should bear only the title of the play. They shall NOT include a synopsis, author’s note, nor the name, address or other author-identifying information. To ensure blind review, please include a separate cover page document with the title of the play, name of the author, address, phone number, email, and university/college, theatre, or state affiliation, as applicable, as well as a synopsis of your play.
Playwrights may submit multiple works; however, no more than two (2) plays per playwright will be produced in the festivals.
Previously produced but unpublished works and well-developed works in progress are welcome; plays previously produced by The Q Collective are not eligible.
Works may be submitted for both

Have something you want us to read? Send it to submissions@theqcollective.theater with the subject SUBMISSION.

Call for Musicians!

The Q Collective is producing a non-union production of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s groundbreaking, Obie-winning Off-Broadway musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, in which the “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, herself, tells us her wild life story, as a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation. This outrageous and unexpectedly powerful story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (née Hansel) in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy backed by the hard-rocking band The Angry Inch. It’s a rocking ride, funny, touching, and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH will be directed by Jordan Woods with assistance by Camille Fensterman, music direction by Holly Barber, costume design by Lauren Smith, and sound and lighting design by Jim Robert. Casey Richards joins as stage manager and Flynn Hayes as costume master.

The Q Collective seeks to employ artists that accurately and truthfully represent the diverse world in which we live and is committed to providing a safe working environment. It operates under the Chicago Theatre Standards, which can be reviewed at notinourhouse.org.

Tech rehearsals run June 17 – 19, 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM. There’s an eight-performance run from June 20-29, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, with an additional 10:30 PM performance on both Saturdays. Tech and performances will take place at The Monocle (4510 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110). Band members also need to be able to attend a few rehearsals prior to tech week, including a couple with just the band to rehearse; these will take place at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (3510 Giles Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116) and will be scheduled with the input of the band members.

HEDWIG is scored for a four-piece rock band (keyboard and electric guitar, bass, and drums). We have our keyboard and guitar players and are looking for our last two members of The Angry Inch: a drummer and a bass player who are experienced and enthusiastic musicians. Ability to also sing backup vocals if needed is preferred but not essential. The Hedwig score is written in lead sheets.

All band members will be paid a stipend.

If you’d like to be part of the band, we’d love to meet you! Please email us at info@theqcollective.theater with your name, pronouns, contact information, and a resume or description of your previous experience. You may also be asked to provide references.

Reminder: Auditions for Hedwig

The Q Collective will hold non-union auditions on Monday, April 8, for John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s groundbreaking, Obie-winning Off-Broadway musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. We seek to produce a cast that accurately and truthfully represents the diverse world in which we live. The auditions will run 7:00 to 10:00 PM at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 3510 Giles Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63116. Call backs, if necessary, will be held on Monday, April 15, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM, also at St. Paul.

Please prepare a contemporary comedic monologue of one minute or less and 16-32 bars of a pop-rock song in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided, so please bring your sheet music with you.

Please do not come in drag to this audition. If you have drag experience, please indicate it on your resume.

Rehearsals will take place May 5 through June 16, Sundays at 5:00 PM and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM at St. Paul, with technical rehearsals June 17 through 19 at the Monocle, 4510 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH runs June 20-29 at the Monocle, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, with an additional 10:30 PM performance on both Saturdays.

The Q Collective is committed to providing a safe environment for artists to work in and operates under the Chicago Theatre Standards. These standards can be reviewed at notinourhouse.org.

Please email auditions@theqcollective.theater with your range of preferred audition times.

Roles Available

HEDWIG: East German rock singer and front woman of The Angry Inch; formerly Hansel, a slip of a girly boy who grew up in communist East Berlin, fell in love with an American GI; became Hedwig and underwent a botched sex change operation in order to marry and move to the states; glamorous, charismatic and always commanding even when at her most bitchy or vulnerable; has had high highs and low lows; very strong rock tenor (high to B4); must have a convincing East German accent; actor must be able to dexterously shift from persona to persona (Hedwig’s mother, husband, rock icon ex-lover, Tommy Gnosis); actor should have terrific physical stamina. All gender identities and ethnicities are encouraged to apply.

YITZHAK: Hedwig’s Croatian male husband and roadie/back-up singer; he is Hedwig’s vocal sparring partner; theirs is an emotional and at times abusive relationship; the actor playing Yitzhak should be believable as a butch male but one that chafes at the bonds of traditional masculinity and longs to explore his feminine, creative side; very strong singer with rock and roll vibe; wide vocal range a must (High belt to a G); must have a convincing Balkan accent. Traditionally Yitzhak is played by a female-identifying person in drag, but all gender identities and ethnicities are encouraged to apply.

There is a $500 stipend for this event.

Transluminate: Exploring Gender and Sexuality on the Stage | Gender and Sexuality in St. Louis | Washington University in St. Louis

A cold rain had settled over the city, nevertheless, patrons bundled up and made their way through The Chapel’s door. The Chapel, a converted neogothic not-for-profit…

Source: Transluminate: Exploring Gender and Sexuality on the Stage | Gender and Sexuality in St. Louis | Washington University in St. Louis

Announcing the Creative Staff of Hedwig and the Angry Inch

The Q Collective continues its first season with John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s groundbreaking, Obie-winning Off-Broadway musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH , in which the “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, herself, tells us her wild life story, as a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation. This outrageous and unexpectedly powerful story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (née Hansel) in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy backed by the hard-rocking band The Angry Inch. It’s a rocking ride, funny, touching, and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH runs June 20-29 at the Monocle, 4510 Manchester Ave (63110), on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, with an additional 10:30 PM performance on both Saturdays. General admission tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. In addition, the Q Collective is excited to have 4 VIP packages available for each of the Friday and Saturday performances. The package includes 2 tickets, 2 drinks provided by the Monocle, a charcuterie plate, and some personal interaction with the internationally ignored song stylist herself, and all for $75. Tickets go on sale May 1 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.