So, you wanna pitch a show at BATS!?
BATS has an open pitching policy. We’re keen to hear from anyone with a bold new performance idea!
In 2024, we are looking to provide more scope in how we program shows at BATS. We want to provide opportunities for longer seasons for those who can and want more than our standard 5 night season. Shows may also be applying for funding and want confirmation early in the year for a season running later in the year… In order to accomodate we accept- pitches 4-6 months in advance and we program to a deadline that follows the four seasons. Please see information on our pitching rounds below.
(Programming for theNZ Fringe Festival and the NZ International Comedy festival is a different basket of bats. We will release more information when these festivals pitching dates are open. In the meantime check out the Fringe Festival and NZ International Comedy Fest’s websites for more info on how they operate.)
BATS NZ Fringe pitches are now open
We’re excited to be celebrating NZ Fringe's 35th birthday next year with another epic Fringe programme at BATS.
Pitches to be a part of our 2025 Fringe programme are now open. We encourage you to make a start on your Eventotron registration ASAP.
We’ll be making offers to shows we wish to programme from Friday 13th September, and will be doing Eventotron venue confirmation once we’ve signed a contract together.
THE PIT GALLERY
Do you have artwork or an installation that you'd like to present in The Pit Gallery, opposite the bar? We want to hear from you!
PITCH ANYTIME!
Pitches reviewed on the last Friday of each month - Pitches NOW OPEN.
If you have a show, but unsure when you'd like to stage it please consider our “Pitch Anytime”. This is in place as sometimes we have space in our program for shows that can be scheduled at shorter notice. Have you got a show ready to go? We want to offer opportunities for artists who have new ideas/styles/mediums they want to test, perhaps for 1 or 2 nights only, or in an alternative space like the Lumen Bar.
Your Performance Agreement
When it’s time to make things official you’ll need to sign a Performance Agreement on behalf of your group. BATS’ Programme Director will arrange this with you, and step you through the agreement.
Your BATS Performance Agreement is not just a contract. It contains:
- Key information about your season, ticketing and access to the spaces,
- The stuff we’ll take care of,
- What you need to take care of.
Some of it seems like ‘fine print’ but please read over it in detail. Forward it on to your team so everyone knows what has been agreed to.
Meetings
Putting on a show at BATS will require a bit of face to face planning with us, to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Please bear in mind that putting on a show at BATS will require some of your weekday time for meetings and packing in your show.
We use email to communicate with all our many shows. If email communication doesn’t work well for you, just let us know. You’re always welcome to call the BATS Office, or arrange a time for a chat in person or a Skype for out-of-towners.
In the months before your show you’ll have the opportunity to meet with BATS’ Marketing Manager to brainstorm how you can promote your show, and to sort out some effective ways to make the most of BATS networks.
You’ll also need to attend a pack-in meeting two weeks before opening night. This is an important chance to go over the technical requirements of your show, and the logistics around how things will run on the night. BATS’ Technical and Facilities Manager will be in touch to arrange a pack-in meeting time.
Marketing your show
Marketing your show is up to you, but BATS’ Marketing Manager is on hand to guide you through marketing and publicity and to assist in identifying opportunities to promote your show.
Here’s an overview of what we will need from you:
- Main listing image for BATS’ website and Guano brochure.
- Your show blurb for our website, and a 50 word version for the Guano.
- Proofs of your posters and flyers; we need to approve these before printing.
- Copies of your posters and flyers to display here at BATS.
- Any additional images or video for BATS website or social media
Keep us in the loop with any promotions you’ll be running, any media attention you receive, and to send in any photos, links, articles or other resources that might assist us in getting the word out to our networks.
Ask for our BATS Marketing and Publicity Guidebook for more info on how this all works as well as some helpful tips and hints for promoting a show at BATS.
Email Sophie at [email protected]
