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Why Choose Dream Shapers?
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Quality programs
from a non-profit arts organization
- Quality artists who
have won awards, years of experience from a variety of folk
arts disciplines all with years of experience performing in
schools, at libraries and for family events throughout Southern
California, the west, the US and around world.
- Years of experience
- Screening / audition process - We take the guess work out
- All acts must be good because they all reflect on one another
- Insured
- Meet your needs of thematic and standards based programs
that are fun, interactive, entertaining and educational.
- Reliability
- Affordability
- Guarantee
How do I plan for a program
with Dream Shapers?
-
When planning an event, the earlier you can plan for your
dates the better your assurance of getting a specific artist
on that date. We have such a large roster, over 30 different
artists, that calling even a few months before will enable you
to get a program to your event, sometimes even the exact one
you are looking for.
- Steps:
- Come to a decision on the type of programs you are looking
for - music, storytelling, variety, magic, puppetry, historical,
Native American and what dates you are thinking about. Having
2-3 dates available has almost always assured the program/artists
availability to come to your event.
- Check out the web site of artists
and programs
and make notes on the ones that seem to fit your
needs, themes and requirements the best.
- Call (888) 499-1270 to discuss your choices. We are a
performer’s run arts organization so we are not always in
the office. Leave a day and evening phone number where
you can be reached for call back. It is always best to leave
artists and dates you would like on the message. This enables
us to check everything out and often leave you a message with the information
you need.
- You can also email Ken
Frawley with dates, times, artists, your information-
schools / library / city contact
us.
- You can also look on our calendar,
find your dates and see if our artists are already engaged.
Though this does not guarantee a program, it is a good
indicator.
- Once we have agreed to artist / program / date / time
/ we will need your billing information (Name, address,
zip code, phone numbers); and if the program will be held
at a different location from the billing address we will need address
and zip code. If your event is part of LAPL, LAUSD or LA
County Libraries we would need to know this also unless
payment will not be run through these organizations.
- We will mail you, within a week, your confirmations and
other information you may need. It is very important to
read the confirmation/invoice and double check artist, date,
time and location for any mistakes. If you notice any discrepancies on your invoice, please call Dream Shapers immediately.
- It is always best to follow up about 1 week later to once again visit www.dreamshapers.org,
go to our calendar page, go to your date and verify that
it is posted. This helps us to ensure that mistakes have
not been made and your program is on schedule to happen.
What can I expect from your artists?
-
Will call about 1 week ahead to confirm
- Will show up at least 30 minutes prior to your event
- Will perform the program requested
Do you create custom programs for
special occasions?
Yes we do. You can look on our list of all programs for various
ideas and artists that might fit your needs. Call the office
and we can discuss it with you.
What if the program has to be
cancelled or rain delayed?
All programs can be cancelled up to 10 days prior to an event;
there are some penalties for short notice cancellations. We
can reschedule anytime including rain delay problems.
How long are the shows?
Most of our programs are approximately 45 minutes long. Preschool
shows are 30-35 minutes, walk around performers (trick ropers)
are 60 minutes and we can custom-tailor programs to fit
your needs.
Are the programs good for my event?
Our performers have performed thousands of library programs,
school assemblies, city events, fair and festival shows, concerts
and corporate events. It is always best to call the office and
ask about the performers you are interested in and if they best
suit your event's needs. We work best with family and children
audiences though some performers work for middle school, high
school and adult audiences.
How are payments handled?
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Payments are due in full on the day of the program.
- Payments are to be made payable to Dream Shapers.
- You can give the check to the artist.
- LAPL, LA County Libraries have established billing arrangements
with our organization so payment is not required on the day
of the program LAUSD have.
- If your school or library district cannot pay the day of performance,
it is best if you make those arrangements ahead of time and
provide us with any contracts, payment requisition numbers,
purchase order numbers and contact information.
- We do not require any deposits.
Are you a new organization?
Yes and no. Storytellers and Troubadours was founded in 1994
as an arts organization and has provided schools, libraries,
cities, fairs and corporate events with over 3500 programs.
They built their reputation on quality, affordable prices and
reliability. Dream Shapers as a non-profit arts organization
was established in 2000 and has provided over 300 programs to
the community including the hosting of the Los Angeles World
Storytelling Festival. By putting the two organizations together
there is now, since 2003, a wonderful arts organization dedicated
to providing great artists and programs to the community and
can now receive support from corporations and governmental agencies
in its effort to grow into one of the premier organizations
of its kind on the west coast.
How do I become an artist?
Dream Shapers is always
open for new artist submissions. You can contact us for all
the specific information about what is required of artists
and our application but first be sure you can answer these
questions:
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Have you looked at the web site to be sure that your program
is different than what we currently offer?
- Do you have a flexible schedule to meet performing schedules
of both weekday and week end events?
- Is your program 45-50 minutes long and of interest to any
or all of these:
- schools (standards based)
- libraries (thematic)
- preschool – age appropriate programming
- and other community events – fairs/festivals/walk-around/concerts
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Is your program multicultural – if yes what culture.
- Are you able to provide promotional materials, photos,
bios, show descriptions?
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Are you willing to be professional – meaning:
- Reviewing contract information when you receive it;
- Reviewing bi weekly calendars to confirm show dates
and times;
- That you will contact clients, confirming shows, about
1 week in advance;
- That you will show up early (about 1 hour) to performances
- That you will represent Dream Shapers at all times at
DreamShaper events;
- And that you will guarantee your show (see our guarantee).
If you answered yes to these questions, then contact Ken Frawley
at kenf@dreamshapers.org.
He will then email you the application and more specific information
about your potential involvement with Dream Shapers.
What are your fees?
They range in price from about $200.00 to $600.00 for a program.
Pricing varies from artist to artist depending on location
and number of performers in a show. If you have a budget
it is always good to give us some idea of what it is. Our artists
try to accommodate, whenever possible, your limitations.
It is always best to call or email any pricing concerns
you may have contact
us.
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