Help "I Didn't Know I Was Polish" Shine!

Hi, I’m Kaitlyn, a Canadian actor and writer and I am fundraising my first autobiographical solo show, “I Didn’t Know I Was Polish”.

HOW IT STARTED

In 2019, while living in Paris, I faced the end of my visa with no clear way to stay in Europe. Just when it seemed like my journey was coming to an end, a chance conversation with my sister revealed that, due to shifting borders, my Ukrainian grandfather was technically Polish. A revelation that held the key to a coveted European passport. I wrote the initial version of the show for my Spoken Word Scratch Night in March 2019, and I spent the following five years documenting, researching, and developing the piece as my story continued to unfold.

HOW’S IT GOING

In early 2023, I moved to London to further my career and share this story on a larger stage. In February, I was invited to perform a 15-minute teaser of the show at The Cockpit’s Voila! Scratch Night. The response was immense, and I’m thrilled to announce that the full show has been picked up for the Voila! Festival at Applecart Arts Theatre this fall, with a five-night run. “I Didn’t Know I Was Polish” isn’t just about personal discovery—it's a chance to share my ancestral history and the broader story of Ukraine with a wider audience.

WHAT I'M FUNDRAISING

I’ve been fortunate to assemble a talented creative team passionate about bringing this story to life. We spent months crafting an application for funding from the Arts Council of England, but despite positive feedback, we were unsuccessful in securing funding. With rehearsals starting in mid-October, we have just one month to raise the necessary funds for the show to reach its full potential. Your support will help cover the costs of our creative team during rehearsals, an invited Scratch Night showing, and the 5-day Voila Festival run. Together, we can ensure this story is told with the depth and professionalism it deserves. Thank you for your support!

CREATIVE TEAM includes:

Director - Dominika Uçar

Sound Designer - Jovana Backovic

Lighting Designer - Wesley Laing

Technical Stage Manager - Lauren Wedgeworth

Dramaturg/Creative Associate - Nastazja Domaradzka

Consulting Producer - Rowena Price

MILESTONES

£170 - covers Insurance and PRS fees

£600 - covers the cost of the consulting Producers

£660 - covers the technical stage manager in rehearsals, the Scratch Night, tech before the Voila festival, and the 5-show run

£770 - covers lighting designer for rehearsals, the Scratch Night, and tech before the Voila festival.

£900 - covers director fees in rehearsals, the Scratch Night, tech before the Voila festival, and opening night.

£900 - covers the dramaturg/creative associate for rehearsals and out-of-rehearsal script advice.

£1,500 - covers sound design attendance in rehearsals, the Scratch Night, tech before the Voila festival, and opening night and out-of-rehearsal development.