Antonia Gore

UPDATE!

We've made our initial target! Thanks so much to everyone who has donated so far! I am overwhelmed by the generosity that has been extended to us - it's not been an easy ride producing the show and your help has been a shining lantern, helping us to achieve that what we could have not done otherwise. Thanks again!

We have limited time remaining to meet those stretch goals, so if you are yet to pledge but have been  considering it, please do! Every dollar helps us cover more of our costs - which simultaneously allows profit to be donated to headspace, and for us to create an amazing show. 

Much love,
Antonia


Poster Design: Antonia Gore

Lumière (light) is contemporary bellydance theatre production exploring issues of grief, trauma, loss, anxiety and depression through the telling of neo-fairytales, an allegory for modern mental health issues. Set over the course of one evening, it starts at sunset and moves through dusk, dark and finally into the dawn.

I want to create a show that challenges the norms of bellydance productions, where each piece flows into the next with a real sense of continuity. It will be a one hour visual feast, set entirely to modern electronic music while still retaining a connection to the past through the age old stories being told. We will use fusion bellydance, a cutting-edge interpretation of an ancient dance style, to retell tales of loss, pain and endurance. I want to explore universal themes address the big issues that we are often too afraid to discuss.

Costume sketches:


THE STORY: <TRIGGER WARNING> suicide, self_harm
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14

This project rose from the ashes after a tragic loss of a family member. In June 2013, my brother, who was aged 20, and recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, took his own life. I was devastated and in shock, angry at the mental health services that had failed him, frustrated that he was now only one piece of a high statistic of young people that suicide. In fact, when he was taken for the autopsy, the coroner remarked,
'Oh dear, that's the third young man we have in here from suicide this week.'

I couldn't believe it. I felt helpless. Then I felt the compulsion to do something, to influence change, but most of all, to create art. To make something that inspired, and got people talking about things that should be discussed but rarely are. My brother, in his short years, had become an avid music collector, and obsessed with electronic music. I inherited his cd collection and spent my initial grieving period listening to his CDs on repeat. I saw dances forming to the music, characters telling their stories. I saw a show that would simultaneously be a thing of beauty and increase awareness of mental health disorders.

Being an electronica fan myself, I had the idea earlier to create a show exclusively to modern electronic pieces. This could be that show and now, it had a purpose. I spent the next few months in mourning, but still writing and drawing my ideas, enlisting the help of my friends, including my dance partner Brigid Morgan, who convinced me that my ideas were not only conceivable, but achievable. I contacted one of my favourite dancers, Violet Scrap, who in my 'dream show' was the star. I asked if she was interested in coming to Australia - she said yes. And suddenly, the dream was happening. It had a date. It was real.


Violet Scrap from Italy

In addition to Violet, I got in several dance colleagues from all around Australia, dancers I knew who were not only talented, but who shared my vision and were keen for the cause. I asked several Melbourne based dancers who I knew I could work with if they would be interested in being part of a dance ensemble exclusively for this project, they all agreed. One year later, and after months and months of diligent work from all parties involved we have a show, but no funds to pay for the necessitates such as the theatre hire, the rent on the rehearsal studios, and the flights for the guest dancers who are travelling to Melbourne from all over Australia.



The Illuminate Ensemble - formed especially for this project!

That's where you come in. If we can raise the necessary funds involved in the show, We can donate more of the money from ticket sales to my chosen organisation, Headspace - Australia's national youth mental health foundation. You will have a part in helping to create art, and also ultimately support the cause.

Thanks in advance for your support!
xx Antonia

Please Note: Profit from the show itself is being donated to Headspace: Australia's national youth mental health foundation. The Australian cast and I are donating our services in creating this show, and are not receiving monetary remuneration. 

An estimated breakdown of costs ( please note that a lot has already been spent on these aspects, this budget is merely subsidising so we are not so much out of pocket):

Programs & advertising $300
studio hire for rehearsals $300
videographer $500
Lighting Director $300
Pozible and Paypal fees $100

Stretch goals!

- $2500
Will pay for the hire of the theatre  $700
and for more elaborate costumes for the cast $300

-$3500
Will subsidise the cost of travel for our interstate guests $1000

-$5000
Will cover all the other costs such as costumes and props for the show so that all of the money from ticket sales will go to Headspace, and allow us to have a real budget to play with so we can make the show the most awesome ever!

I know this is a lot to ask for, and with only a 20 day campaign, but I am confident that it is achievable with support from the Australian bellydance scene, and you! <3  If you can't donate, please share with your networks!

The Theatre is booked, the choreographies are done, the costumes are in progress. The biggest challenge we have is promotion to a wider audience and to sell out! We have a media pack and colleagues with media training to help spread the word. I have created a strong poster design that will catch the eye, and we have a social media stratergy. But again, we can't do it alone! Every status, tweet, and dollar will help to get us further to our goal and make it a financial and artistic success!