CALL FOR DEAF THEATRE COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE AT THE XVI CONGRESS

In 2007 the Assembly of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) met in Spain and chose the South Africa's bid to host the XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), which will be held in Durban in 2011. The XVI World Congress of the WFD, to be held in Durban from 18 to 24 July 2011, this event will be a meeting point for the global Deaf Community, multiple cultural and leisure activities parallel to the Congress are planned. This will create a space for participation, integration and solidarity between citizens around the globe. The Organizing Committee wishes, in the context of this Congress wish to work with international theatre companies, comprised of Deaf actors to participate in the space for cultural activities within the Congress. One of our major objectives we wish to achieve, is to have representation from all parts of the world Therefore, the Organising Committee of the XVI World Congress of the WFD, calls for theatre companies around the world, to participate in a selection process to elect four theatre companies to participate at the congress:

1. Conditions and requirements for submission of submissions
    
2. Companies wishing to participate in this call must sent the following information before 30 May 2010:
• A letter of introduction stating:
  • Company name
  • Number of members
  • Title of the play (drama production)
  • Contact details, phone numbers and email address
  • Technical needs
  • Profile of your company
  • DVD of previous productions
  • Theme of the play that will be done at the congress
  • Fragment of the work, with a maximum of 5 and 10 minutes in any of the following formats:
    • DVD (SVCD-VCD)
    • MPG
    • WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO
    • REAL MEDIA
    • QUICK TIME
       
  • The Organising Committee will be responsible for the following:
    • In terms of the play
      • Stage
      • Lighting
      • Sound
    • Provide accommodation and meals for a maximum of 8 persons for three days for each performance group (arrival day, rehearsal day and day of actual performance.) If the group stays longer, they are responsible for their own accommodation and meals.
       
3. Your company will be responsible for assembling and dismantling the set and props (the removal must be after the performance).
    
4. You are responsible for your own flights and transport to the ICC, Durban
    
5. The performance must be in International Sign Language
    
6. The duration of the production shall not be less than 60 minutes nor more than 75 minutes.
    
7. The organising Committee will not select productions whose content undermines dignity or promote hatred, violence and social exclusion based on gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or other similar circumstances.
    
8. After the deadline, we will proceed to the selection of the companies who will be participating in the XVI World Congress of the WFD, and will establish the exact date for their performance.
    
9. The organising committee will provide the following to the selected companies
   • Congress registration,
   • meals and
   • accommodation for 8 members for three (3) days (day of arrival, day of the trial and day of performance If the group wish to stay longer, they will be responsible to make their own arrangements in terms of accommodation and meals.
      
10. Theatre companies interested in participating at the Congress call, should submit their proposals before 30 May 2010 to the following address:
    
    The Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA)
    Ms Atiyah Asmal
    XVI WFD Congress - Convenor of Social Events
    Private Bag X04
    Westhoven
    Johannesburg
    South Africa
    2142
    e-mail: socialevents@wfd2011.com
     
11. The selected Theatre companies participating in the XVI World Congress of the WFD will be informed on the 31 July 2010.
     
12. The relationship established between the organizer and the company chosen will be implemented through a contract which reflects the commitments of both parties.