Project Proposal Process

The Acadian Circus exists to provide opportunities to its performers to showcase their talents and explore their creative potential. The project proposal process exists to give performers and producers clear guidelines for proposing a new project as well as the owners of The Acadian Circus and the board of Circus Louisiana guidelines to approve and support new project ideas. 

The Process

  1. An applicant can complete a Project Proposal Application through Member Resources on the TAC website.

  2. The Show Selection Team (from within the production committee) will review the project proposal and relay any questions back to the performer.

  3. The Show Selection Team will provide feedback based on the show viability criteria (detailed below), which will result in the project being approved or returned to the performer for more adjustments. 

  4. Once the applicant receives an approval, leadership roles for the project must be decided and then the project planning can begin. 

The project proposal must include: 

  1. Proposed Event Name - The name provided doesn’t have to be final and multiple name options/examples can be submitted. 

  2. Project Description - Please provide a detailed description of the project. This description should communicate your vision for and the purpose of the project. If it’s a show, please provide a plot summary and an outline of the show. 

  3. Project Leaders - Who would be in the roles of writer and director? Who will organize and lead performers and rehearsals? Please outline the leadership team for this project. 

  4. Proposed Venue - Venue options may include but are not limited to the Manship Theatre, Refuge Aerial, GymFit Baton Rouge, Celtic Studios, Dunham Theatre, etc. Make sure these venues can host the types of performances included in your project. 

  5. Requested Disciplines (aerial, fire, flow, etc.) - If there are specific disciplines or roles you would like to see filled for your project, please indicate the disciplines and/or performers here. 

  6. Possible Dates/Timeframe - If applicable, please indicate preferred dates or a general time of year for your project to take place. 

  7. Budget Requirements - We understand you may not have hard costs for everything required, but please consider a rough estimate for your project’s budget. Include line items like venue rental fees, set design, special apparatuses, advertising, etc. Feel free to ask the owners or other troupe members to assist in providing estimates. 

  8. Potential Sponsorship/Funding Ideas - While Circus Louisiana may be able to provide some funding for your project, it’s always helpful to have additional funding sources or sponsorships. If CL/TAC cannot fund your project, what are some alternative funding sources you would be able to look into? 

  9. Show Marketability - Think about how well the show could be marketed. Is it an idea people would recognize? How can we frame it in a way that people will want to pay to see it? 

  10. Show Promotions - How do you see the show being promoted and advertised? Do you have any advertising/marketing contacts that would be beneficial in promoting the show?

  11. Support Needed from The Acadian Circus Owners - If your project were to be approved and added to the troupe’s calendar, how can TAC leadership best support you? 


Show Viability Criteria

The Show Selection Team will evaluate each project based on the following criteria:  

  1. How well does the event represent The Acadian Circus brand and the disciplines we are well known for? 

  2. Does Circus Louisiana and/or TAC have the budget for this project? 

    1. Can the show be profitable? Will the performers and producers be paid? (not always a requirement) 

  3. Does this event conflict with any planned or priority shows/gigs? 

  4. Do the owners and performers have the bandwidth for the proposed project? 

  5. Is the show marketable to our general audience?