IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE NEWS YET...
On November 18th 2009, the Harold Green Jewish Theatre revealed to us and Theatre Passe Muraille that they regretfully had to pull Yichud (Seclusion) from their 2010 season. We learned that one of HGJT's major sponsors had withdrawn their financial support from the production because of “concerns that the content might be misinterpreted.”
Read more in the Dec. 2nd Toronto Star Article here.
You can imagine that this news came as a BIG surprise to us. And with rehearsals set to begin on January 11th, 2010, TPM was suddenly left with a $50,000 shortfall.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT WILL AMAZE YOU...
Theatre Passe Muraille immediately decided that Yichud (Seclusion) could NOT be abandoned, and that there was no other option but to try and raise this $50,000. We immediately jumped on board with TPM to assist with this new plan!
Over the past three weeks we have collectively managed to secure 4/5 of the necessary funding, which guarantees that the production is moving forward. We also know that we have the means to secure the remaining 1/5 of the funds. So we can now proclaim that our collaborative fundraising efforts have been 100% successful.
HOW ON EARTH DID WE DO IT?!
This remarkable success story was possible due to a wide variety of “angels” who have been extremely generous with their financial contributions and have expressed their profound support for Yichud (Seclusion) and its artistic merit.
SO YICHUD (SECLUSION) HAS BEEN RESCUED, RIGHT?
Almost...! As a result of HGJT’s sudden withdrawal, TPM was forced to make a number of cuts and compromises to the production budget in order to be able to move forward with the show at all. With this unbelievable fundraising success we now find ourselves in a position to look at recouping some of those losses. The most devastating of these cuts was the loss of our first week of rehearsal.
HELP CONVERGENCE THEATRE GET OUR LOST WEEK OF REHEARSAL BACK!
The cost of one week of rehearsal is $9,467. Virtually all of this will go to artists’ salaries. Are you able to contribute? Do you know someone who might be able to contribute?
If you’re a fan of Convergence Theatre and you’ve enjoyed our work in the past, please consider offering your support. Any amount, no matter how small, will help us be able to put on the production we originally envisioned.
WILL I GET A TAX RECEIPT?
YES! Theatre Passe Muraille is a registered charitable organization,
#11921 4344 RR0001. A tax receipt will be issued for all donations!
HOW DO I DONATE?
On-line: Go to www.artsboxoffice.ca Click on the “DONATE NOW” button. Under “FUND DESIGNATION” choose “HELP CONVERGENCE THEATRE!”
Cheques can be made out to THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE and mailed to:
16 Ryerson Avenue Toronto, ON M5T 2P3.
Be sure to write “Convergence Theatre – Extra Rehearsal Week” in the memo line.
I CAN’T AFFORD TO DONATE BUT I WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP!
1) Buy your tickets NOW! In person, by phone (416) 504-7529 or on-line:
http://passemuraille.on.ca/09-
2) Why not organize a group? Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more.
3) Help spread the word that Yichud (Seclusion) is still on! We run Feb. 6 – 27, 2010 in the TPM Mainspace.
4) And of course, FORWARD THIS E-MAIL!
With extreme gratitude for all of your continued support,
Julie Tepperman & Aaron Willis
playwright & director, Yichud (Seclusion)
co-Artistic Directors, Convergence Theatre
WAIT WAIT WAIT…BEFORE YOU GO, I'VE GOT MORE QUESTIONS!!!
Okay, go ahead...but if other people need to go, we don't mind!
CAN I ASK YOU TWO WHAT YICHUD (SECLUSION) IS ALL ABOUT?
This new play by Julie Tepperman has had previous incarnations at the Lab Cab Festival, the Ashkenaz Festival, and the Next Stage Theatre Festival. This brand new version has been expanded and re-written with the developmental support of Theatre Passe Muraille. Yichud (Seclusion) is set in Toronto’s Orthodox Jewish community and powerfully dramatizes issues of love, respect, honour & duty. The setting is specifically Jewish, but the story is universal and life affirming.
DO I KNOW ANY OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED?
Yichud (Seclusion) features: Diane Flacks, Richard Greenblatt, Jordan Pettle, Michael Rubenfeld, Julie Tepperman & Aaron Willis plus a live Klezmer band: Ronen Segal, Chris Willes & Jeff Wilson
Director: Aaron Willis
Consulting Director & Dramaturg: Richard Greenblatt
Designed by: Beth Kates
Musical Designer: Aviva Chernick
Project Consultant: Shira Schwartz
Stage Manager: Sandy Plunkett
WHAT ELSE ARE PEOPLE SAYING?
“Yichud (Seclusion) expands in the mind and heart.”
Glenn Sumi, NOW Magazine
“Tepperman and Willis know how to tear down the fourth wall, splitting the audience by gender and inviting a Klezmer band along for the ceremony.”
Paul Gallant, Eye Weekly
“Both moving and funny.”
Paula Citron, Classical 96.3 FM
“I adore this company – they’re very inventive…. Julie Tepperman’s writing is smart, perceptive, and at times it does cut close to the bone. Aaron Willis’ direction is clear, sensitive and detail-minded. The acting of the company is very fine. I look forward to when she fleshes this out into a larger play.”
Lynn Slotkin, CBC Radio One “Here & Now”
“Yichud (Seclusion) is the first play I have seen that engages with Orthodox Jewish custom with nuance, precision and artistic integrity. This groundbreaking play captures the beauty of Orthodox ritual without sacrificing its depth or complexity; it directly confronts the tensions that exist in the Orthodox world between tradition and modernity without placing them in opposition to each other.”
Shira Schwartz, Project Consultant and active member of Toronto’s Orthodox Jewish Community
This message has been sent to you by Julie Tepperman & Aaron Willis, co-artistic directors of Convergence Theatre. Please e-mail convergencetheatre@gmail.com if you would like to be removed from our list.
No comments:
Post a Comment