Started in 1997, Out Cast Theatre is Australia's longest running GLBTIQ focused theatre company, we tell stories from the gay community, by the gay community and share them with everyone.

With an emphasis on works relevant to the gay, lesbian, bi, straight, transgender communities, Out Cast was established in 1997 from very humble beginnings. Its first production, a panto of sorts was staged at the Carlton Courthouse Theatre. Not a particularly successful first show but it sowed the seeds for a small team of committed individuals who still saw a need to redress the imbalance of gay theatre in this country.

Out Cast really kicked off with a series of staged play readings above the now defunct Ramjets Cafe in Commercial Road, Melbourne. Once we found we had a dedicated following we decided to jump into the pool once more with our first “official” production, a staging of a specially written piece, Steven Dawson’s Big Dicks On Stage which enjoyed great success. It followed up with Gertrude Stein & A Companion. More productions followed until Out Cast started to become known as Melbourne’s gay theatre company.

For 5 years we performed in the David Williamson Theatre in South Yarra. Our biggest gamble came in 2002 when we decided to move north across the river to the 100 seat Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre in Brunswick. We hoped our audiences would follow. The first production in our new home, also a Steven Dawson piece Love In A Cubicle almost sold out its entire 5 week season and laid the foundation for many successes to come.

Since then we have gone from strength to strength.

Taking bigger risks each time and for the past 10 years we have embarked on tours to queer festivals in Perth, Adelaide & Sydney, undertaken very successful sell out seasons of our shows in Edinburgh, Dublin, Manchester and London.

All this as a completely unfunded company, given little financial assistance except through some very loyal sponsors and always at great risk of financial failure. But we persevere because we love the thing we do. Out Cast is now run on a production to production basis of 4 shows a year as well as touring commitments.

HOW ELSE CAN WE HELP THIS PROJECT?
Tell people who might be interested: as a crowdfunding campaign depends on personal recommendations, we would be grateful if you could help spread the word. We only have 90 days to reach our target goal. If you have friends you think might be interested in helping get these young people's stories out there, please:

a) Post on Facebook: copy and paste the link to the Out Cast Theatre campaign on your Facebook wall. Here is an example of a post for you:

"Check out this great Australian gay theatre company. They need funding a trip to the Edinburgh Festival - Fringe in July this year. They only have 60 days to raise money $3500 to help to pay for their overseas venture. Every dollar you can spare helps."

b) Email: send an email to a bunch of your friends telling them about the campaign, giving them this link: http://www.pozible.com/outcastaus

c) Like: like the Out Cast Theatre Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/208591607796/?fref...

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP...
Unfortunately theatre making isn’t cheap, even when the cast and creatives generously donate their time to the production, plus when you add the fact that we have to travel to Edinburgh itself, this makes this a very expensive production.

Luckily we’ve secured great performance venue in the heart of the Fringe area but we need help raising money for our venue, design, props, costumes, publicity and tech. Any monies raised will go directly towards the production budget and all of your support will have a direct and tangible impact on what you see on stage.

Out Cast Theatre is taking its latest work, "The Importance Of Being Earnest as performed b y 3 F**king Queens & A Duck" to the Edinburgh Festival - Fringe in August 2014.

Except for a few fantastic partners, Out Cast Theatre is totally self-funded so please get involved and please don't be shy - every little bit helps and we'll make every dollar count.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T REACH OUR GOAL?
If the project reaches its $3,500 target, all donors' credit cards accounts will be charged on the day our crowdfunding campaign ends. If the project falls short, no-one is charged.
Funding on Pozible is all-or-nothing.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE EXCEED OUR GOAL?
We really need to raise $6,000 to pay for all the travel costs to Edinburgh. If we exceed our Pozible target then that means we can put more energy into creating our Australian story and less into fundraising activities.
PLEASE NOTE: Your donation won't be removed from your account until 14th June.

Taking on an Edinburgh Festival Fringe production is not without its challenges. It’s sometimes hard to get bums on seats in a sea of over 2500 events and theatre productions spread throughout the city.

However, we've secured our passionate production team, an excellent, supportive venue hub and performance space. We flyer extensively throughout Edinburgh to promote our shows.

The production is certain. New work is often risky, but Out Cast Theatre has built a strong audience base in Edinburgh and solid positive critical response.