The Coop is a Company of 'Slashers'!

In other words we are Actors/Writers/Directors.
However, no matter what artistic expertise a member possesses we are ALL 'slash- producers'.
The reality of LA Theatre is there is a wide gap between those who want to 'create' theatre and
those who want to 'produce' it. That is why all Coopsters are required to wear the 'Producer-hat'
in addition to their 'performance-hat'. Members are always encouraged to CREATE their own project.
Having the benefit of a resident space, The Black Box, our members have great opportunity to create
and produce their own unique projects.

We are looking for excellent Actors, Writers, Directors who:

A. Have an unwavering dedication to Theatre as an art form.
B. Are truly excited to create'from-scratch'original, innovative theatre.
C. Are patient, generous and committed to collaborate and "do whatever it takes" to bring high-art to the stage.
D. Understand this is not a steppingstone to the 'industry', i.e., no showcases, comps, etc.

PROCESS TO JOIN

The Coop holds quarterly auditions for new members. The steps to becoming a member are as follows:

Call the theatre to schedule an audition and/or interview: 310-979-7078.
Complete an audition/interview for the ADART (Administrative/Artistic) Committee.
Receive an invitation to take the 'next step'.
NEXT STEP: Participate in 'Coop du Jour' (Invite night for Tuesday, Actors Workshop) or other Coop Workshop. This allows the prospective member to meet some of our members and see a little more of what we do.
FINAL STEP: Attend Orientation meeting; pay first-and-last month's dues; receive previous month's Meeting-minutes; sign up for 'Coop duty'.

MEMBER REQUIREMENTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Company members make financial and labor contributions:

Pay $40 a month dues. Perform a monthly Coop Duty this is usually 2 – 4 hours a month and ranges from technical/menial to clerical/administrative.
Attend ALL Company meetings.
Support company functions; including attending fundraisers, productions and work-calls.

BENEFITS

Company members are entitled to a few 'bennys' including various workshops:

PRIORITY CASTING. All roles for Coop productions are offered to Company members first. Directors are highly encouraged to cast from the membership. Main-stage productions have mandatory in-house auditions, before any 'open' auditions. NOTE: there is a 60 day waiting period for new members, before auditioning for a production.
TUESDAY WORKSHOP is an Actor's Workshop and is the only Workshop that requires a fee beyond the $40 monthly dues and is currently $35. Generally this is an acting workshop where actors work on their craft in a 'scene-study' format. The 'scenes' are written by company members and have burgeoned from the Writers' Workshop. Moderators for this workshop are amongst the most respected directors and acting teachers in the LA Theatre community.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP is a bimonthly workshop for writers.
Actors also participate by reading scenes written by our Playwrights.
OTHER WORKSHOPS include a Meisner Workshop, Improv Workshop and other workshops, as offered by our members and associates.
PROJECTS generated by members. Past projects include Project 24 (a 24 hour lock-in, in which members spend the night in the theatre and create a play from scratch and perform at the 25th hour), Coop Comedy, and any other ADART approved endeavor.
NETWORK: the Coop sponsors many social functions including Opening & Closing night parties in addition to other holiday parties, etc. Our members generously invite their fellow Coopsters to various social events, including live musical performances, art openings, private parties, etc.

NOTE: The Coop is a serious Artistic entity. We do NOT offer Showcases, Industry Nights nor Industry Comps.

COOP PRODUCTION PROCEDURE

Coop Productions

The Coop Has three types of Productions that we produce:

1. Main-stage Productions -- 2 per year.
2. Workshop Productions -- 2 - 3 per year.
3. *Project Productions -- Open.
*these are member generated productions, such as 'Late-nite Serials' (i.e., "The One Booth Joint"), 'Comedy Sketches' ("Coop Comedy"), 'Project 24' (a 24 hour 'lock-in' to write, rehearse and present at the 24th hour), etc

Play Development Process

1. The playwright begins by bringing seven to ten page segments of the work in progress into the playwrights' workshop. The workshop meets every two weeks on Sunday afternoon. The piece is read aloud by members of the company and notes are given by the workshop participants.
2. When the playwright has developed a six to ten-minute scene, it is then submitted to the Tuesday night workshop. In this workshop the scene is rehearsed by actors from the company under the supervision of the workshop moderator. On the last Tuesday of the month, 'Coop du Jour' the workshop's 'Invite-night' the playwright gets to see the rehearsed scene. This is a step up from a cold reading in that not only have the actors invested time in exploring the piece but also elements of staging including props and physical movement are integrated into the piece.
3. When the play is completed, a workshop production is scheduled. This incorporates as many of the production values of a full production as possible. However, it runs for only two nights. The audience's feedback is solicited via a questionnaire.
4. After rewrites utilizing both the audience's notes and the playwright's experience of the production, a full main stage production is scheduled. This production runs for six weeks and is reviewed.

COMMITMENT