Bringing 'The Norwegians' to Life in NYC

78 donors

$11,800 raised of $15K

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Bringing 'The Norwegians' to Life in NYC

Co-organized

Benjamin Fievet and Jordan Barringer are organizing this fundraiser.

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Hey there (or as Minnesotans say, hey dare!).

A quick story for ya: In 2016, Jordan Barringer came across a play called The Norwegians, by C. Denby Swanson, set in Minnesota. Being from Minnesota and of Norwegian descent, she was intrigued. When she read that it is “a strong, bitter comedy about women scorned in Minnesota and the really, really nice gangsters—Norwegian hit men—they hire to whack their ex-boyfriends,” she bought it.

And now: here we are producing The Norwegians! We are Jordan and Ben (Fievet). 7 years ago our paths crossed in a theater conservatory where we spent dozens of hours every week crafting, breathing, memorizing, observing, moving, pro-NOUN-cing, acting of course, and being part of a community of creatives. And gosh do we miss it! Like so many of our peers, we love the community and collaboration theater demands. Put another way, we love making and feeling things in rooms, together.

Don’t get the wrong idea here, people!

Where’s your head at right now… “Wow, why would you guys pick a play about murder and, honestly, Minnesota?” you might be asking. We are producing this play because, frankly, we love it and want to put it on its feet for you all to enjoy. On a more serious note, plays by women represent less than 20% of the works on and off-Broadway and in regional theaters. We are proud that our first production is a play written by a woman, directed and produced by women (and Ben), and about two women who go after what they want ;).

And with that, we are excited to announce that Maya Shore will be directing! Maya (she/her) is an up and coming theater and film director based in New York City. Most recently, she directed the off-off Broadway production of BITCHES (East Village Basement) and Dear Susie (East Village Basement). Recent assisting credits include: Directing Intern on the Off-Broadway run of All Nighter (MCC), Assistant Director on the Off-Broadway run of Berlindia! (The Tank), and Assistant Director on the workshop of Margaret Cho's Mommy, A One Woman Cho (New York Stage and Film). Alongside directing, Maya is an Associate Production Manager on off-Broadway productions, including most recently The Baker's Wife (Classic Stage Company), Are The Bennet Girls Okay? (Bedlam), and Messy White Gays (The Duke). For more, follow her on Instagram @mayashore or go to mayaeshore.com.

So here it is: To no one’s surprise, producing a show in NYC costs a lot of money. We would be so grateful for your support - truly even $5 is helpful. However, we know it’s tough out there, so if financial support is not available to you, we would be very appreciative if you would follow us on Instagram right here and/or forward this to someone who loves theater.

Our fundraising goal is $15,000. Nearly half of that will go toward renting a theater for tech week and performances, and for rehearsal space. The other half will help us build a set, get costumes, pay the licensing fee to perform the play, print posters and playbills, and compensate our talented cast and crew. Anything leftover will be split evenly among cast and crew.

You might be wondering what you get out of donating. The answer is: the pure satisfaction that you’ve contributed to artists who live in one of the most expensive cities in the world who are trying to bring a few nights of laughter to their peers.

Please raise a glass of elderberry wine to artists, independent theater, Minnesota, and really, really nice Norwegian hitmen, if you insist.

Our sincere thank yous, again!

We have a great team lined up including - in no particular order - Maya Shore, Dessa Delfin, Jordan Barringer, Ben Fievet, Ethan Feil, Kody Pangburn, Daniel Ching, and Dave Hanson. To learn more about our cast and crew, and get alerted when tickets are on sale, please follow us on Instagram @LolaStudios! There will be prizes and other fun stuff, sure.

DAVE HANSON