Help Me Take the Bard to Hollywood!
Donation protected
Hello Fellow Theatre Lovers!
I'm an actress, playwright and producer working in Southern California and I'm so excited to take my one-woman show; "Willy's Lil Virgin Queen", to the Hollywood Fringe Festival this summer for the first time!
I've been workshopping the show for a year and am ready to hit the boards in Hollywood. And I need your help to get there!
What is the Hollywood Fringe Festival, you ask?
The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual theatre festival celebrating artists, projects and patrons of the arts with wildly creative theatrical projects and artistic expressions. For a few weeks every summer, hundreds of productions are produced in dozens of locations around Hollywood for thousands of local, national and international audiences! In short, it's the heartbeat of live theatre in Hollywood and a blast for any lover of the arts!
What's so special about this show?
I'll tell you more about the show a bit further down, and why I'm so passionate about taking it to the festival. But, if you're dying for a sneak peek, here's a link to the official description on my website and a few lil' clips .
Where does the money go?
So, producing a play is expensive! It's always the case but in all honesty, it's especially challenging when there's only one person in the company. No matter how many people are in the production, the bills still gotta get paid. And here is the list of stuff your generous donations would help pay for:
Theatre rental: $1,000 (for a 5-show run)
Stage Manager & Stage Crew: $600
Festival Registration: $250
Marketing & Incidentals: $450
Tech (Lights, Sound, Projection): $50
Insurance: $150
When do I need your generous help?
In short, now. While the festival isn't until the summer, the production costs are well underway. I've already paid a deposit to secure my fantastic space on Santa Monica Blvd., and the costs of insurance, registration and marketing are coming up due within weeks!
Every single penny helps! (Actually, all forms of currency help...Except maybe Galleons because they're not for Muggles.)
What do you get out of it?
I'm glad you asked. You get all kinds of stuff! Take a look:
$5 & Under:
I'll send you an energetic hug and say your name three times while I smile and put stamps on post cards.
$15:
An energetic hug,
AND, I'll insult you by email or on the social media outlet of your choice using one of Willy's greatest hits.
$25:
An energetic hug,
AND, I'll create a personalized insult in the style of Shakespeare to share by email or on the social media outlet of your choice.
$50:
An energetic hug, one of Willy's greatest insults,
AND, 2 tickets to any of the 5 performances. (Dates TBD.)
$100:
An energetic hug, a personalized insult,
AND, 4 tickets to any of the 5 performances,
$250:
An energetic hug, a personalized insult,
AND, 6 tickets to any of the 5 performances,
AND, I'll write you a personalized monologue or poem in the style of Shakespeare.
$500 & Up:
Everything PLUS 8 tickets to any of the 5 performances, AND I'll write AND perform the personalized monologue or poem, dedicated to you, and shared on the social media outlets of your choice.
Oh...and EVERY donation will be acknowledged
on my website (www.oliotheatreworks.org), on Facebook and on promotional materials.
And now...What is "Willy's Lil Virgin Queen"?
(And why the new name?)
"Willy's Lil Virgin Queen" started life under a different title, ("A Rose by Any Other Name") and while I liked the title it never felt as modern and familiar as I wanted. For me, Shakespeare is contemporary. He's every day. Right now. Not lost in the past. So I wanted to give the show a name that felt more modern and approachable.
Willy.
Then I picked "Lil" because I'm short. And "Virgin Queen" as a nod to Willy's greatest leading lady; Queen Elizabeth I, who was known by that moniker.
So, that's why.
The show is a fast-paced, 75-minute comedic romp through time as I explore the ways in which Willy and his leading ladies taught me how to grow from maiden to queen and all the iambic drama that comes with the territory. Here's a bit more about it...
"Growing up the kid of a Holistic psychotherapist and a computer scientist ain't easy, especially when your heart speaks Elizabethan. So, how does a girl coming-of-age in the wilds of Colorado learn who to be...or not to be? By hooking up with a 400 year old poet, that's how!
Searching Shakespeare's tomes for everything from dating advice (if Juliet had just texted Romeo, it would have been much simpler.) to parenting tips from The War of the Roses (which turned out to be much ado about nothing.), this madcap adventure weaves the history, comedy and even a little tragedy as one girl seeks inspiration from Shakespeare's leading ladies to learn how to skip the prince, and be the Queen!
Award-winning actress/playwright, Terra Taylor Knudson (OTW Founder/Artistic director) blends humor, history and Shakespeare in this madcap 75-minute tour-de-force solo show delightfully shining a light on the Bard's leading ladies who broke the mold and rocked the Tower of London!"
Plus...there's multi-media and a comprehensive history of the English monarchy in 6 seconds.!
"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks." ~ 12th Night
It's always difficult to ask for help, especially when that help comes in the form of money. But there is no way I could make this happen without that help and equally no way I could ever say thank you enough for it. Please know that your donations are not only validation of my project, but of theatre in general. And, as we know from past cultures; the greatest measure of a civilization is not in its politics and economy, but in its art. (Just ask the Greeks.)
Finally, why do this now?
I've written and produced for nearly twenty years and every time has been a wonderful learning experience with unique challenges and triumphs. This project, however, brings with it an added pull for me because it's not only a chance to express my sincere enthusiasm
about Shakespeare and his ladies, it's an opportunity to share some elements of my personal journey that I've never had the courage to do in the past.
And, I'm even more compelled right now because of the culture we currently find ourselves in. As an artist I feel passionately that there's no better time to use my voice as an expression to bring about positive change and, hopefully, offer a little love, honesty and a few laughs in this challenging time.
And I know of now better way to do that then to lean on the wit and wisdom of William Shakespeare. (And the ladies whom he loved.)
For all of your support; monetary and energetic, I sincerely thank you.
See you at the theatre!!
~ Terra
I'm an actress, playwright and producer working in Southern California and I'm so excited to take my one-woman show; "Willy's Lil Virgin Queen", to the Hollywood Fringe Festival this summer for the first time!
I've been workshopping the show for a year and am ready to hit the boards in Hollywood. And I need your help to get there!
What is the Hollywood Fringe Festival, you ask?
The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual theatre festival celebrating artists, projects and patrons of the arts with wildly creative theatrical projects and artistic expressions. For a few weeks every summer, hundreds of productions are produced in dozens of locations around Hollywood for thousands of local, national and international audiences! In short, it's the heartbeat of live theatre in Hollywood and a blast for any lover of the arts!
What's so special about this show?
I'll tell you more about the show a bit further down, and why I'm so passionate about taking it to the festival. But, if you're dying for a sneak peek, here's a link to the official description on my website and a few lil' clips .
Where does the money go?
So, producing a play is expensive! It's always the case but in all honesty, it's especially challenging when there's only one person in the company. No matter how many people are in the production, the bills still gotta get paid. And here is the list of stuff your generous donations would help pay for:
Theatre rental: $1,000 (for a 5-show run)
Stage Manager & Stage Crew: $600
Festival Registration: $250
Marketing & Incidentals: $450
Tech (Lights, Sound, Projection): $50
Insurance: $150
When do I need your generous help?
In short, now. While the festival isn't until the summer, the production costs are well underway. I've already paid a deposit to secure my fantastic space on Santa Monica Blvd., and the costs of insurance, registration and marketing are coming up due within weeks!
Every single penny helps! (Actually, all forms of currency help...Except maybe Galleons because they're not for Muggles.)
What do you get out of it?
I'm glad you asked. You get all kinds of stuff! Take a look:
$5 & Under:
I'll send you an energetic hug and say your name three times while I smile and put stamps on post cards.
$15:
An energetic hug,
AND, I'll insult you by email or on the social media outlet of your choice using one of Willy's greatest hits.
$25:
An energetic hug,
AND, I'll create a personalized insult in the style of Shakespeare to share by email or on the social media outlet of your choice.
$50:
An energetic hug, one of Willy's greatest insults,
AND, 2 tickets to any of the 5 performances. (Dates TBD.)
$100:
An energetic hug, a personalized insult,
AND, 4 tickets to any of the 5 performances,
$250:
An energetic hug, a personalized insult,
AND, 6 tickets to any of the 5 performances,
AND, I'll write you a personalized monologue or poem in the style of Shakespeare.
$500 & Up:
Everything PLUS 8 tickets to any of the 5 performances, AND I'll write AND perform the personalized monologue or poem, dedicated to you, and shared on the social media outlets of your choice.
Oh...and EVERY donation will be acknowledged
on my website (www.oliotheatreworks.org), on Facebook and on promotional materials.
And now...What is "Willy's Lil Virgin Queen"?
(And why the new name?)
"Willy's Lil Virgin Queen" started life under a different title, ("A Rose by Any Other Name") and while I liked the title it never felt as modern and familiar as I wanted. For me, Shakespeare is contemporary. He's every day. Right now. Not lost in the past. So I wanted to give the show a name that felt more modern and approachable.
Willy.
Then I picked "Lil" because I'm short. And "Virgin Queen" as a nod to Willy's greatest leading lady; Queen Elizabeth I, who was known by that moniker.
So, that's why.
The show is a fast-paced, 75-minute comedic romp through time as I explore the ways in which Willy and his leading ladies taught me how to grow from maiden to queen and all the iambic drama that comes with the territory. Here's a bit more about it...
"Growing up the kid of a Holistic psychotherapist and a computer scientist ain't easy, especially when your heart speaks Elizabethan. So, how does a girl coming-of-age in the wilds of Colorado learn who to be...or not to be? By hooking up with a 400 year old poet, that's how!
Searching Shakespeare's tomes for everything from dating advice (if Juliet had just texted Romeo, it would have been much simpler.) to parenting tips from The War of the Roses (which turned out to be much ado about nothing.), this madcap adventure weaves the history, comedy and even a little tragedy as one girl seeks inspiration from Shakespeare's leading ladies to learn how to skip the prince, and be the Queen!
Award-winning actress/playwright, Terra Taylor Knudson (OTW Founder/Artistic director) blends humor, history and Shakespeare in this madcap 75-minute tour-de-force solo show delightfully shining a light on the Bard's leading ladies who broke the mold and rocked the Tower of London!"
Plus...there's multi-media and a comprehensive history of the English monarchy in 6 seconds.!
"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks." ~ 12th Night
It's always difficult to ask for help, especially when that help comes in the form of money. But there is no way I could make this happen without that help and equally no way I could ever say thank you enough for it. Please know that your donations are not only validation of my project, but of theatre in general. And, as we know from past cultures; the greatest measure of a civilization is not in its politics and economy, but in its art. (Just ask the Greeks.)
Finally, why do this now?
I've written and produced for nearly twenty years and every time has been a wonderful learning experience with unique challenges and triumphs. This project, however, brings with it an added pull for me because it's not only a chance to express my sincere enthusiasm
about Shakespeare and his ladies, it's an opportunity to share some elements of my personal journey that I've never had the courage to do in the past.
And, I'm even more compelled right now because of the culture we currently find ourselves in. As an artist I feel passionately that there's no better time to use my voice as an expression to bring about positive change and, hopefully, offer a little love, honesty and a few laughs in this challenging time.
And I know of now better way to do that then to lean on the wit and wisdom of William Shakespeare. (And the ladies whom he loved.)
For all of your support; monetary and energetic, I sincerely thank you.
See you at the theatre!!
~ Terra
Organizer
Terra Taylor Knudson
Organizer
Long Beach, CA
