Development of a new show by Michaela Burger

Hey Friends. Thank you for getting this far - it shows that you support me and my projects, and for that I am truly grateful.

In July, I’m heading to New York to study at the Susan Batson Studio (SBS). Home to the Oscar-winning Batson technique, which has guided artists such as Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman, Juliette Binoche, Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, SBS will work with me to develop a new show about South Australian escort, activist and writer Grace Bellavue (Aka Pippa O'Sullivan), who took her own life in 2015. The show will be theatrical with original music, scored by me and lyrics by Grace, who left an incredible legacy of writing.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Michaela Burger. I’m an actor, producer, creator, writer, and singer-songwriter. I’ve been working in the performing arts industry for over thirty years; creating shows, writing music, and performing in theatre, cabaret, musical, and occasionally, film and TV productions. 

Following the success of my cabaret shows - A Migrant’s Son and Exposing Edith – I was approached by Lyn O’Sullivan to tell her daughter’s story. Grace was a writer, escort, and activist, with a mission to decriminalise, de-stigmatise and demystify sex workers - all while facing challenges with bi-polar and addiction. She died in 2015, leaving a legacy of poetry, prose, and rap, to which her mother wants to give new life.

It is a grave responsibility to tell the story of a figure who is no longer here, and who was systemically prevented from speaking for herself. Grace had a massive social media following, as one of Australia’s first Twitter stars, and used her platform to advocate for sex workers’ rights. Her audience was international, hundreds of thousands strong. The large body of writing she left is foundational to my research, and part of my dedication to performing ‘truthfully’. 

It is for this reason that studying with prolific director and acting instructor Susan Batson and her son Carl Ford in New York feels like the most faithful way to serve this story. Batson approaches character through a triad of unifying forces which lead to uncovering ‘truth’. This technique, when applied to Grace’s story, will allow me to fully explore the creative direction, while having the utmost respect for and fidelity to her character and memory.

I've been fortunate to be awarded a scholarship from the American Australian Association, to travel to New York to work with SBS to create this new show. An incredible opportunity, this scholarship has allowed me to take the first step on a journey I have been striving towards for over two years. The scholarship, valued at US$5,000, will cover my flights to New York and some of my living expenses while studying at SBS.

Given the calibre of SBS’s clients, they have offered me tuition at an incredibly conservative rate of US$10,000. This includes three private sessions weekly to develop the show, daily group classes and the opportunity to show the work and receive peer feedback.

On top of tuition, I will need to hire studio space for my private sessions and at the recommendation of Baston, secure additional funding to cover further education. This includes attending as many live performances as possible in order to understand the New York theatre landscape, how to position my show and to inspire me further during its development. 

While in the US, I'll also need to travel to Seattle, Washington to spend time with an escort who knew Grace. This high-profile person, who is also an activist for sex workers rights, has requested to meet face-to-face, which will also be extremely valuable.

With all these costs I have estimated that I'll need an additional AU$20,000 to cover my time in the US and to make it as fruitful as possible.

This is where you come in: )

Your incredible support will allow me to fully immerse myself in this New York creative development experience and utilise the world-class skills of the SBS coaches during my month in the US.

It will enable me to reach my immediate goal - to emerge from New York with the first draft of a creative work about Grace Bellavue, that engages in critical conversations on the rights of sex workers and marginalised communities and brings her advocacy to new audiences through music and theatre. All with the view to tour the show across Australia, drawing from my existing festival network. 

Long term, I intend to build on my studies at the studio, create connections with presenters and venues in the US, and expand my international touring platforms. I believe that Grace’s story, while Australian in origin, has themes, implications, and advocacy that are far-reaching, and will resonate equally with a US audience.

For all donations of $1000 or more you will be listed as a key supporter in printed and online collateral for the show. But every single donation will help, even $5!

I would love for you to be a part of this exciting and important journey. 

Thank you for your constant support. 

With Love

Micha