Crumble Update #1

Holy Moses. It's only been a week and I've somehow managed to raise over $1300. I find it just incredible how many people have flocked in to support me in this endeavor; it's shocking, inspirational, heart-warming and a million other adjectives all at once. The best part is that people who I have always thought braver than I have been telling me that I've inspired them to move forward with projects they've been afraid to launch. I inspired them? What the fuck right? Also, on the first day of the campaign, I got ballsy and mentioned the author Sheila Callaghan in a tweet (another frontier in which I have yet to find my rhythm) and she retweeted me. Maybe this is small potatoes and maybe I'm a huge fucking dork but this gesture put me on Cloud 9. This woman just oozes cool. I know because I stalked her a little bit. Don't judge me.

I have to say with all this support behind me, I'm feeling untouchable (too soon perhaps but lay off, I'm on a roll). I have the confidence to reach out like never before, approaching folks who have intimidated me in the past, etc. What a crazy drug this Confidence thing has turned out to be. Everyone should have it. But not too much... I hate those people.

For those of you interested in the specifics, most of the money raised so far  is going to the rights of this show, $1050 of it to be exact. This was one of the hardest expenses to swallow so now that it's been taken care of, I feel... well, the only word coming to mind at the moment is SHINY, like a new penny, a new penny that's worth $1352. The next thing to do is pay for the publicist and somehow fund our upcoming on-location photo shoot, scheduled for Mar. 16th. We're shooting at a West Adams house which, from what I've seen and heard, has a haunted CRUMBLY feel to it. If all goes well, this shoot will bear our new production image. I'm really excited about this. It'll be the first time our individual characters will be introduced to the public. Stay tuned! Also, donate?

Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake)

Something crazy happened. 

I'm co-producing a play at Theatre 68 and now I need to raise $3350. Whhaaaaaaaa!? Click the image below to be directed to the campaign page where you can donate directly.

The LOW-DOWN

Though I've been involved in the theatre world for most of my life, co-producing Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake) with Theatre 68 will be a first-time venture for me. It's a frightening and challenging experience but one that is so compelling, I can't walk away. This needs to happen, for myself, for my theatre, and for the audiences it is sure to move and inspire.
The most significant force driving this production originates in the script. Crumble is a dark comedy focused on the aftermath of a father's death and the detoriation of a mother/daughter relationship and the metephoric/literal home in which they live. Crumble is funny, tragic, and bizarre all at once, not to mention HAUNTING. Much like the father whose presence permeates the air the characters breathe, this show has been a ghost living in the back of my mind ever since I read it over a year and half ago. The same seems true for almost every person I've come across who has read or been involved in the play; their strong positive reactions brought on by author Sheila Callaghan's sensitivity to the characters and the reality in which they live made me see that this play offers a universally relatable story, despite its often times abstract and quirky tone.

Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake)

Written by Sheila Callaghan
Directed by Ronnie Marmo
Assistant Directed by Shana Gagnon
Produced by Shelly Hacco & Ronnie Marmo

Cast

Apartment - Stephen Kline
Mother - Heidi Rhodes
Janice - Shelly Hacco
Barbara - Julianna Bolles-Morrison
Justin Timberlake/Harrison Ford/Father - Bill Doherty Jr.

Crew

Set Design - Danny Cistone (crossing my fingers!!)
Lighting Design - Matt Richter
Stage Manager - Kourtney Sonntag
Lighting and Sound Operator - Mark Vasquez

I've never wanted to spearhead anything more than this in my entire life. As you can see, I've already got most of my dominos in place, everything except ... the money! YIKES. After negogiating the terms of this production with my Artistic Director and good friend Ronnie Marmo, it's been decided that I need to contribute $4000 to this production. You guys... all I've got is $1000-ish. I need $3000 more and let's be real here... I don't have it... BUT! I know you have $10, and you over there... you have $5, maybe? You see what I'm saying. If you can donate even the smallest amount, I'm that much closer to realizing the dream.

What We Need 

What's included in this $4000 figure? That's a good question. Theatre 68 is covering the space (HUGE!) and all the printing. Everything else is up to me, including:
-Rights to perform Sheila Callaghan's work.
-Set design and build.
-Lighting design, hang, and programming.
-Costumes and Props
-Publicity to reach every corner of the Earth (or at least Los Angeles).

What You Get

What do you receive in return for your amazing gift? This is an even better question!
-Of course, every person who contributes even a dollar will get my sincere gratitude and a dimpled smile. And if you're around, a huge hug too!
-Most donors will receive a special thanks on Facebook and in our program. We want to PUBLICIZE what an awesomely generous person you are.
-My fellow actor donors will receive industry specials that will not only help me but will also help you further your own career in this beast of a business.
-For you out there who own businesses, I got something for ya - ADVERTISING. Our programs will be seen by hundreds which means your ad in our program will reach... well, hundreds of people.
-Many donors will receive free tickets and priority seating to Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake), while some will receive signed photos and an invite to the Cast and Crew Party. WAH WAH WE WAH!

WOAH WOAH WOAH! Hold the phone. All this for supporting ART? Count YOU in! Am I right?

And listen - even if I don't reach $3000, whatever amount is raised will be used for the show. This isn't an all or nothing game plan. I'll take anything and everything so please... gimmie your money. ;)

The L.A. Impact

Let me also state that this isn't all about me and the Theatre 68 bubble. This is about Los Angeles THEATRE. In a town where film gets all the glory, theatre is seen as the goofy step-child. We're so much more than that. We're real people. We're art. We're community. This isn't some hippie rant. This is about passion and creativity. Let's move people. Shake them up. Get them off their Netflix-watching slump and show them that L.A. isn't just a tinsel town, that THEATRE is actually where it's at.
Those who have seen 68's productions can vouch for its consistent track record in not only crowd pleasing, but also in community service. That's why we're adding an additional perk to every donation over $50 - a percentage of your contribution will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. It seems fitting, given that this play is about a family that could use a new home.  

Spread the Word

I realize that some people just can’t contribute. I GET THAT. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help. Posting this campaign on your facebook wall or whatever other social media source you use can be the biggest help of all and it's the easier way to show support.