What a great time to be alive if you love the theater of the absurd!

We're so excited to share we've got a film in production! Over the last few months, our team has worked hard to secure finances and equipment for an epic new project. We are excited to share we are very close to covering the entire production. We need your help to cover the final costs and make this film happen.

A little more about "Theatre of the Absurd"

Tensions are running high as an Off-Off-Off Broadway Theater Company in NYC is preparing for opening night of their newest show. There is just one problem: the world is ending. Humanity is over. Blackout. The members of the company grapple with their doubts, their fears, and their desires as their impending demise draws nearer. Stuck inside their small theater, will they come together or tear each other apart?"

We've got a phenomenal crew of 30 people working on this project. Your financial support will help supplement stipends to all who have worked on our team as well as cover editing and post-production costs.

We hope you consider donating to our film, directly supporting both the creative process and the arts. We can't do this without you! Check out our different levels of support below:

Your donation will go directly to help finish this film by

1) Paying the cast and crew

2) Food! The film will be shot over a few long days, and feeding the cast and crew is very important to keep everyone healthy and safe.

3)Post Production! We want to make sure this film is the absolute best it can be, so some of the funds will go towards post production costs.

Film festivals! We plan to submit this film to numerous festivals, and any additional funds raised would go towards our submission fees.

Here's a little more about our team:

Chelsey Staples-Writer/Actor

Chelsey Staples is a Brooklyn based actor and writer. Chelsey studied at Atlantic Acting School, and has a B.A. in Theater & Drama, and in Musical Theater. Her work as an actor led her to begin writing character driven narrative works. She has written for both the stage and screen. This is the second short Chelsey has written. Her first short, Something Honest, is now streaming on Vimeo, and is currently being adapted into a full-length play. Her favorite movie is The Silence of the Lambs.

Elektra Ditto-Director

Elektra Ditto is an NYC based actor. Originally from the Bay Area but has found a home in the Big Apple. Theatre of the Absurd is her directorial debut! She has a background in the theater world and regularly works in TV and Film. She is excited to get behind the camera and bring the two worlds together. When she isn’t acting and directing she loves to spend time with her perfect kitty cat Donavan. Her favorite movie is Harold and Maude.

James T. Russin- Director Of Photography

James is a cinematographer known for his work on The Hunger Games (But Better) the viral film that has gained over 10 million views on social media. James has also worked as camera operator on various feature films Terrifer 2, The Country Club, Spooky Action. James has an in depth knowledge of photography and experience in his ongoing role managing Greenwood Cinema Rentals. The guy also is a killer musician (leave some talent for the rest of us, buddy)

Kiernan Doyle-Producer

Kiernan Doyle is a producer known for BUMMER, Henry Needs a Cat, and Highly Motivated Individuals. Kiernan is originally from Brooklyn and is passionate about working with local voices, emerging artists, and fostering opportunities for ongoing collaboration. Past projects have screened at New York International Film awards (best short), Cannes Short Film Awards (best director), and Oniros Film Awards (best screenplay).

Uddin- Casting Director and the 1st Assistant Director.

Uddin's originally from the Bay Area but she’s found a home in Brooklyn. Projects she’s worked on have gotten into Tribeca, Newfest, Cinequest and much more (than she can remember). She loves casting and ADing for a film because then you really get to “sink your teeth” into it. Her favorite movie is School of Rock.

Aidan Farragher-Production Designer

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Sound

Nathaniel R. Martin and Tom Fama are the iconic sound duo, professionally known as the “ice climbers”, a reference to the famous super smash brothers duo (except they are stronger). Nathaniel has over a decade of professional experience working in Production Audio Solution. Nathaniel’s expertise ranges from sound solutions in production and post. Tom Fama is a New York based Sound Mixer known for his work in various stages of sound production. Tom’s work has been nominated in various festivals, notable best sound mixing at the Oniros Film Awards (Henry Needs A Cat)

"I was at an event inside a theater in NYC a few years ago. The theater did feel very enclosed and secure, with cement walls, and the word “underground” in its name. Someone I was chatting with said “This would be a great place to hide out during an apocalypse situation.” The wheels began to turn in my head. Wouldn’t that be an interesting idea for a story? A group of people waiting out the end of the world in an NYC theater. Within three months I had written the first draft of what is now Theatre of the Absurd.

I have been doing theater for over half of my life. I have been lucky enough to do theater in a wide range of places, including NYC. The theater world has no shortage of cooky characters and big personalities. It was easy to create a company of characters to play out this story. I was also incredibly excited at the chance to bring my two loves, theater and film, together in one project.

One of the biggest motivations for this piece was also the chaotic and miserable state of the world. Every day is filled with terrible news: war, destruction, human suffering, unimaginable cruelty, an ever-worsening climate crisis, natural disasters…the list goes on and on. Every day has me worried and anxious and feeling like I want to scream from the rooftops. In this short I was able to say some of the things I have been longing to say. I hope others can resonate with a lot of what the characters in this short say and feel."

-Chelsey Staples (Writer)