A love letter to unique upbringings, self-discovery and devoted fathers. An hour of cinematic sensation from stand-up dance comedian Gara complete with musical numbers, dancing wrestlers and 80s camp.
Welcome. Welcome to The Big Show.
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This show is the story of my artistic upbringing.
My dad moved my family from Iowa to NYC 8 years ago. He was a former midwestern wrestling coach who had turned his devotion to coaching his (then) daughter through the NYC comedy scene.
After years of driving me to late night sets and arguing over the phone about "joke form" I shifted his interest to performance art and spent the next eight years dancing, king-ing and singing through some of NYC's most iconic stages like MoMa Ps1, Ars Nova and La Mama.
Greg, my dad, my coach, was my biggest fan, my loudest cheerleader and my harshest critic.
And now, I’ve written this show, this big show, as a love letter to my unique wresting upbringing, my past year of self discovery, and my ever devoted father, who I had actually been writing this show with before he passed away suddenly of a brain aneurism. The show is ready to go, the stage is set, and now I need your help to make it happen.
So what’s all this money for?
The Edinburgh Fringe is the world’s largest platform for work like this, and I have a slot booked at a prestigious venue for the month long run. But it’s really, really expensive, especially as an international artist.
Also: I am not doing this show alone! From my producer, to dancers, to technicians - I am hiring an all Trans team to help me tell this incredible story with all of the bells and whistles it deserves.
Where will my money go?
These are approximate costs, but here is a rough breakdown of the current ask (in both £ and $)
- £1000 / $1256 - flights to and from Edinburgh Fringe
- £1300 / $1633 - registration costs for the Fringe
- £2500 / $3142 - marketing for the run eg flyers, posters, adverts on social media
- £1200 / $1508 - set and technical costs (microphones! lights!)
- £1000 / $1256 - PR for the show (reviews, filming, photos)
As you can see, this is our core production costs.
To pay our team, we are relying on other things such as further subsidy, private investment, box office sales, but these things are so much more possible if we can cover our core costs and relieve the pressure on the production with your donations.
If we reach our goal, the extra £5k in stretch goal, taking us to £12k total, will go directly towards paying the fees of the core team for the month of the Fringe (myself, 2x dancers, technician, producer).
I know money is tight, and that this is a big ask. Please look at the rewards on the side if you consider donating as you can get some pretty cool things (!!) and know that by donating to this crowdfund you are directly supporting my artistic work. I am so grateful.
- Gara.