GET TWO MEDIEVAL BROTHERS TO THE TORONTO FRINGE

Hello, before we get into it, thank you so much for visiting our GoFundMe page, we understand there are a lot of very worthy causes in the world right now, so please only donate if you have the means to do so…

… if you’re still here, HELLO! WE’RE GOING TO THE TORONTO FRINGE WITH OUR DEVISED DUO CLOWN SHOW: MONKS.

WHO THE FLIP IS “WE”?

This piece is being created by Annie Luján and Veronica Hortigüela, best friends of 15 years and creative collaborators since that time we wrote a murder mystery in high school that became our Grade 11 Drama Show. Here's a bit more about our emerging careers, or have we emerged? You be the judge but please do not TELL US!

... and here we are in our plunging v necks.

Veronica Hortigüela (she/her) is a Scarborough-born and raised actor and playwright. She is a graduate of TMU’s Performance Acting program, where she played many young women whose father’s didn’t allow to marry the person they loved. Favourite performance credits include: Bremen Town (Gregory Prest, NextStage 2023), Prodigal (Crows Theatre, Howland Co.), Casimir and Caroline (Howland Co., Dora Award - Best Ensemble), Little Women, Every Little Nookie (The Stratford Festival) and Dry Land (Cue6, Globe and Mail 10 Best Productions 2018). Veronica has also had the pleasure of working with Shakespeare in the Ruff, Crows, red light district, Tarragon, and YPT on the development of new plays.

Annie Luján (she/her) is a Latinx actor, clown and theatre creator from Toronto, ON. Annie is a graduate of the 2022 Soulpepper Academy where she trained under many of Canada’s leading artists and premiered her own solo work. Annie is passionate about performance that is interactive and celebrates theatre’s opportunity to be live, influenced by the people in the space and experience failure. She has trained extensively in clown throughout different cities in Canada and Italy. She hopes this work will inspire Canadian audiences to expand their definition of clowning and give Toronto a reason to start taking comedy seriously. Recent Credits include: King Lear, Peggy Pickitt Sees the Face of God (Soulpepper), Comedy of Errors (The Grove), Quest for the Moon (Wee Festival), Storybook Search (Bad Hats) Lost Landscape (Workshop, Bad New Days)

WHAT IN THE DAMN HELL IS THIS SHOW?

Well, it’s a 60 minute clown show about two medieval monks that will premiere at the Toronto Fringe Festival in July of 2024. We don’t want to give away too much, but you can expect a loose narrative, lots of ridiculous games, and endless opportunities for the audience to get involved. We have been devising this show over the past two months at Sweet Action Theatre and have just begun the workshopping phase. We are now beginning to invite other people into the room which is an essential step in development because this show has NO. FOURTH. WALL! We got RID OF IT while everyone was distracted by the unprecedented bracelet choreography in Dana H.

WHY WOULD YOU COMMIT TO SUCH A THING WHEN YOU BOTH UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO MAKE A SHOW, LET ALONE ENJOY IT?

Great question. We’re idiots! Seriously! We are both deeply interested in growing the perception of clown in our city. This kind of work can only exist in community with other people, with failure and disruption not only possible, but essential! In a world that is increasingly obsessed with streamlined polish, efficiency, and AI technology, we are offering an hour that celebrates human connection with each. And every. One of you!

OH, LET ME GUESS YOU JUST MADE UP A NUMBER AND ADDED A COUPLE ZEROS?

No girl math here, just regular old huge numbers that we are trying to crowdfund.

BUDGET:

Space Rental: $1500

The kind people over at Sweet Action Theatre have generously allowed us to rent their space, use all the lights, and store a giant barrel there (thank you Gord). It is our cozy and fully equipped rehearsal home. Raising $1500 would allow us to rent about 50 hours/month leading up to the show.

Artist Fees: $2000

We have no director! But we do have some amazing clown, devised theatre, and comedy artists who have been willing to share their time and talent with us. These superstars will be observing us in rehearsal and providing us with top tier on the fly feedback. By raising these funds, we would be able bring artists into the room for about 10 hours a week leading up to our production.

Prop/Puppet/Mask Building: $500

This funding will cover the cost of running props, puppet building materials, and allow us to properly compensate the artist we commission to create these pieces.

Set Design: $400

The show may be messy and fun, but it should also be gorgeous.

WHY ARE TWO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN DRESSED AS MONKS? HOW WILL WE ENJOY YOUR BEAUTY?

You disgusting pig! Get the F$@#K off my gofundme page! (Don’t worry, we do promise some nudity for the heathens!)

IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO ATTEND THIS SHOW?

We may look you deep in the eye. There may be loud noises. And there will definitely, DEFINITELY, be danger.

I’M SCARED OF DANGER!!!

Don’t come.

BUT I WANT TO COME!!!

Then sit in the back row.

OH! WILL THAT SAVE ME FROM AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION?

No, we will just know where to find you.

HEY THESE GIRLS SOUND KIND OF FUN, LET’S GIVE THEM MONEY BECAUSE THEY SEEM LIKE THEY’RE READY TO FAIL AND BRING THAT NUTSO FRINGE ENERGY THAT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF AN EPIC SUMMER!

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MOOOOONNNNNNNNEEEEYYYY PLEASE YUM YUM YUM….

What is happening… anyway, please donate…