Perform With Us
FOR ARTISTS
A NOTE FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
We're a 99-seat presenting organization in Los Angeles, right in the San Gabriel foothills. Small stage, big world. We program over 160 shows a year across music, jazz, dance, theatre, comedy, film, and family work, and I personally read every pitch that comes in. Here's what I actually need from you.
THE PITCH
My dream pitch is short. Three lines on who you are and what you're proposing. A clear program or set list. And at least two live videos, preferably not overproduced studio content. That's it. Less is more.
What I don't need: a multi-week campaign. A lengthy bio before I know what you're selling. A PDF that takes three minutes to load. One clear email is worth more than five follow-ups.
Programming is choosing collaborators, not just filling time slots. The easier you make it for me to understand who you are and what you do, the faster I can say yes.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
3 sentences max on who you are and what you're proposing
A specific program, not a general "I'm available" inquiry
At least 2 live performance videos (links, not attachments)
At least 2 hi-resolution images. (See note below)
Ensemble size and any technical needs we should know about
Your typical fee range or guarantee expectation
A target season or general timeframe
Who referred you, if anyone did
ABOUT THE PLAYHOUSE
99
INTIMATE SEATS
165+
SHOWS PER SEASON
100+
YEARS OF HISTORY
WHAT WE PROGRAM
MUSIC
DANCE
JAZZ
THEATER
COMEDY
FILM
QUESTIONS?
Not an artist but have a program to recommend? For general inquiries not related to submissions, reach us at:
ONE HONEST THING
Does follower count equal artistry? Of course not. But a strong online presence tells me a lot about how you communicate, how you talk about your work, and how audiences will find you before and after a show. Artists who are clear and organized online are easier to program and easier to work with. I'm not looking for viral. I'm looking for intentional and committed.
And yes, warm introductions matter. If someone I trust says "you need to hear this artist," I'm listening. This is how creative ecosystems work.
ONE MORE THING AND I MEAN THIS KINDLY
We're not the right first stop. If you're still figuring out your show, still finding your audience, or still building toward your first professional presentation, that's a real and valuable place to be. But we need artists who already know exactly what they're selling, who it's for, and why someone would drive across town on a Tuesday night to see it.
If I can't tell your story quickly and compellingly, I can't program you. Not because the art isn't good, but because our audiences need a reason to show up, and that reason has to come from you.
That includes your photos. We need a high-resolution image that could live on a billboard, stop someone mid-scroll, and tell the whole story in a single frame. Not a phone shot from your last gig. Not a headshot from five years ago. A compelling, professional image that makes someone say: I need to see that. If you don't have that yet, it's worth investing in before you pitch.
We present world-class artists on an intimate stage. The materials you send us should reflect that ambition.
READY TO PITCH?
Send everything above to booking@sierramadreplayhouse.org with this subject line:
SUBMISSION: Artist Name / Genre / Proposed Season
We review on a rolling basis. We can't respond to every inquiry, but we read them all. If there's a fit, you'll hear from us.
MATT COOK
Artistic & Executive Director