Help 'KOAL' get to the 2023 Philly Fringe!

Part climate-catastrophe, part clown show - KOAL is a one-woman show for the end of the world. As wildfires tear through Australia, a koala, a coal miner and an Indigenous girl desperately strive to hold onto their homes before all burns and turns to ash.

Please help me get my solo show to the 2023 Philadelphia Fringe Festival this September!

I remember in 2019, sitting in my living room in America, feeling utterly useless while watching my homeland, Australia, known for its wondrous landscape and animals be decimated by wildfires. Overcome with grief for such a great loss of life, I conceived this show about a baby koala recovering from burns in a wildlife sanctuary, trying to return home to its 90-year-old eucalyptus tree before it turns to embers and dust in the flames. At its core the show is about HOME and what we all continue to lose — story, community, history, knowledge, plants, animals and land — when we ignore the actions we could take to protect our environment, our earth, our collective home.

ABOUT ME - JACINTA YELLAND (PERFORMER/CREATOR OF KOAL)

I am an Australian theatre creator and performer of Chinese and Torres Strait Islander descent based in Philadelphia. I have collaborated with David Gordon, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia Artists Collective, Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists, and Tribe of Fools. I hold an MFA in Devised Performance from the University of The Arts and studied at École Philippe Gaulier, Paris. I am also the co-artistic director of inFLUX Theatre Collective — our debut show, The Choice, won the Philly Fringies Award for Best Theatre at the 2021 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR - TREY LYFORD (DIRECTOR/CREATOR OF KOAL)

Trey Lyford has been creating original works for the stage for nearly two decades and most recently with his theatre company - gimmick. He is an actor, director, designer and play fabricator committed to unearthing the tender honesty at the heart of silliness. Lyford is the founding Co-Artistic Director of rainpan 43. He has performed his original works in four continents including venues across the U.S. such as LA's Center Theatre Group, Philadelphia FringeArts, HERE Arts Center, St. Ann’s Warehouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, Studio Theater, Arena Stage, and theaters throughout NYC. Further support for his work includes grants from Creative Capital, NEFA, NYSCA, and PEW Center for Arts & Heritage. Lyford is also an Associate Artist with the Civilians. MFA: UCSD More info at www.treylyford.com.

WHAT I NEED

This might be a solo-show but the creation of this work has not been a solo journey. I have an incredible team of artists and collaborators who are helping to bring my vision to life. Your donation will help cover:

Thank you for your support!! xxx

MY INCREDIBLE TEAM

Trey Lyford - Director

Tuçe Yasak - Lighting Design

You-Shin Chen - Set Design

Grace Lillian Lee - Costume Design

Ethan Mentzer - Original Music

Maisie O'Brien - Shadow Puppetry Consultation

Emmie Parker - Stage Manager