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Taking Off The Bird Suit By Jennifer O'Sullivan
About Taking Off The Bird Suit
Project 2014-05-15 13:14:26 +1200
What is this show?
Taking off the Bird Suit brings some of Wellington’s most talented and promising improvisers to BATS Theatre for a special one-week-only season. Exploring roles beyond the maiden, the mother, and the crone, these amazing women will present touching and hilarious spontaneous theatre. Hi-jinks and laughs a-plenty are guaranteed with this cast of smart, funny women.
The title of the show is inspired by the poem Siren Song by Margaret Atwood told from the perspective of one of the sirens from The Odyssey who is tired of ‘looking picturesque and mythical’ and wants to move beyond singing the ‘boring song’. You can read the full poem here.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
Profits from the show will be donated to Wellington Rape Crisis.
Who is this show?
Led by director Christine Brooks, our cast is made up of both experienced players and able newcomers. We come from a range of improv and theatre backgrounds, and are excited to see the magic that happens when our styles and influences interact. The cast:
- Abby Howells
- Bryony Langford
- Caitlin McNaughton
- Cathy-Ellen Paul
- Catriona Tipene
- Jennifer O’Sullivan
- Karen Anslow
- Rose Cann
- Susan Williams
We are supported by Cordelia Black as assistant producer, and will be looking to bring on board a lighting operator and musician soon.
Why is this show?
Christine was inspired to develop this show after looking at the Comedy Festival programme this year and being a bit dismayed at the dearth of women there. She, and others in the cast, have experienced the benefits of being involved in all-women shows - it has made us stronger and more confident performers and we've had a lot of fun. Christine thought it would be cool to create this opportunity for some other women.
Because this project is about doing a rad show rather than economics, we've decided that all profits from the project will be donated directly to Wellington Rape Crisis. They do excellent and vital work on a shoestring budget and we are stoked to be able to support them with Taking Off The Bird Suit.
When is this show?
6:30pm, Tuesday 24 - Saturday 28 June
Our Facebook event
The BATS Theatre page (yes, bookings are open now!)
Where is this show?
The wonderful BATS Theatre (Out of Site)
How is this show?
We have a small budget, but there are inevitable expenses involved in presenting theatre. We are looking to you, our friends, family, social networks, and the wider theatre/improv community for support to assist in meeting the shortfall in our budget, which will in turn let us focus on presenting a strong, top quality show without worrying about the bottom line. Costs include:
- Rehearsal space
- Marketing (design, printing, and distribution)
- Venue fees
- Personnel costs (musician, lighting operator)
We have a range of rewards to fit any budget - honestly, anything you can give will mean the world to us. If you are interested in assisting this production in a contra or non-monetary way, we'd love to hear from you! And remember, if we meet our target, all profits will be donated to Wellington Rape Crisis, so a pledge above and beyond will be going to a very, very good home.
Anything else?
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Comments
The People Behind Taking Off The Bird Suit
Jennifer O'Sullivan is a Wellington based producer, improvisor, publicist and other such things.
Updates
We made it! And with change
01:51PM Mon 16/06/14 on Taking Off The Bird Suit
Hello to our wonderful pledgers,
Thank you so much for supporting 'Taking off the Bird Suit'!
We are now just one week away from opening at BATS Theatre and progress on the show is great. Having the support from you all has meant we have been able to focus on the creative business of putting on a show. If you're in Wellington you should see posters going up around the city about the show this week, and if you didn't select a reward with a ticket, you're welcome to book at bats.co.nz/ticket-form
Reward delivery:
Those that have pledged for rewards relating to attending the show and songs to be performed at the show will get your reward next week! An email will go to you about tickets shortly. For those that pledged for other rewards including bespoke poems, short stories, or love letters and 'Chat with a Clever Bird' - we will be in touch to get your requirements/set up a time for the skype session. We aim to deliver all rewards by the end of July 2014. I hope that is ok!
Thanks again - your support means so much. Look forward to seeing many of you at the show next week!
Christine
Director and Producer of 'Taking off the Bird Suit
Comment on this update:
Pledges
Matthew Oliver
2014-06-13 08:43:54 +1200Matthew Oliver has pledged on 1 campaign
Helen Rickerby
2014-06-04 15:26:17 +1200Helen Rickerby has pledged on 17 campaigns
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2014-05-26 16:06:03 +1200Anna Guenther has pledged on 217 campaigns
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Susan O'Reilly
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Kate Wilson
2014-05-19 09:42:48 +1200Kate Wilson has pledged on 3 campaigns
S Brooks
2014-05-19 08:39:38 +1200S Brooks has pledged on 1 campaign
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sarah
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Julia Campbell
2014-05-18 16:07:08 +1200Julia Campbell has pledged on 18 campaigns
Chelsea Hughes
2014-05-18 15:17:44 +1200Chelsea Hughes has pledged on 6 campaigns
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Taking Off The Bird Suit
‘Taking off the Bird Suit’ brings some of Wellington’s most talented improvisers to BATS Theatre for a special one-week-only season.