Aim

THIS SHOW WILL INSPIRE YOUR INNER CHILD TO COME ALIVE AND MAKE ALL THEIR DREAMS REALITY

Hi, I'm Roxana Baldovin, a Directors Guild of America (DGA) director whose work has amassed more than one billion views across music videos and commercials for artists including Doja Cat, Kehlani, Snoop Dogg and Steve Aoki - but MANIC is the most personal project I've ever created. Last year, MANIC sold out its run at Hollywood Fringe, and this August I'm bringing it to the world's largest arts festival: the Edinburgh Fringe.

What began as a television pilot eventually transformed into a live theatrical experience. 

It's a one-woman comedy cabaret musical inspired by my life as a first-generation American chasing her version of the “American Dream”.  It’s a love letter to my inner child, and I hope viewers walk away having a conversation with the child inside them. Through 14 larger-than-life characters, pre-recorded skits, parody songs, and rapid-fire costume changes, the show explores ambition, identity, family, and what it really means to "make it."

While I'll be the only performer on stage, this show is anything but a solo effort. It has been built alongside an incredible team of top-notch collaborators - producers, composers, choreographers, stylists, coaches, cinematographers, editors, designers, and countless friends and artists who have donated their talent and believed in this project from the very beginning. Every laugh, costume change, projection, and musical moment is the result of years of collaboration.

My choreographer Johnny Rice has choreographed for artists like Michael Jackson and Kylie Minogue and my wardrobe stylist Anthony Garza has styled Britney Spears’ tours. Most of my costumes in the show have been worn by Ru Paul Drag Race Drag Queens. My producer Maria Skakun became one of the early pioneers of Russia’s commercial dance movement: training dancers for world-class stage shows before transitioning to directing. My director of photography Anthony Kimata has shot visuals for Cardi B, Daddy Yankee, Future and Drake. My character coach Keenyah Hill was one of the most successful people to come from America’s Next Top Model. These are just a few of the incredible people who have helped me bring my story to life.

My vision extends far beyond Edinburgh. I want MANIC to connect with audiences around the world before evolving into a television series in the same spirit as bold, creator-driven shows that began on stage. Edinburgh has launched countless careers, and I believe this is the right place to introduce MANIC to international audiences, producers, and industry professionals.

Your support will help cover the real costs of taking an independent production overseas - from venue fees, crew costs, accommodation, marketing and flyering, technical expenses, costumes, props, publicity, photography and videography—making it possible to bring MANIC to life across eleven performances at the Edinburgh Fringe while documenting its journey so the show can continue to grow long after the festival ends.

Independent theatre is built on community. By supporting MANIC, you're not just funding a performance - you're helping launch the next chapter of an original piece of work that has already proven it can resonate with audiences. I can't wait to share it with Edinburgh, and I hope you'll be part of the journey.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps make this journey possible. Thank you for believing in independent artists and for helping MANIC reach its next chapter.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 2nd September 2026 at 1:30am