In 2026, Purple Tape Productions is so excited to be presenting AFTERGLOW by Sheanna Russon and Lillian Hearne at Downstairs Belvoir as part of the Griffin Lookout Season!

WHAT IS AFTERGLOW?

Every year after the Barbershop Singing National Championships, the men gather for the traditional “afterglow”. Whisky flows, dickie-bows are loosened and quartets sing booze-soaked harmonies into the small hours.

At the 2012 afterglow, Michael meets Tom. One is a barbershop purist with something to prove. The other is a first-timer with a messy suit, a bass voice and a quietly radical outlook: Why aren’t women allowed to sing at barbershop competitions too?

Over six years, their heated debate turns tender, sweet and as complex as a chromatic four-part harmony. Together, the two singers journey through their twenties and encounter some major awakenings. But barbershop has rules, both musical and social. And as Michael and Tom change, so might their place in the chorus. 

From the minds of Sheanna Parker Russon (No Love Songs for Lady Basses) and Lillian M. Hearne (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), this touching musical rom-com will have you humming long after the lights go down.  

Oh, did we mention it’s sung in four-part acapella harmony?

After a successful Pozible campaign for our 2024 season, we wanted to reconnect with the Purple Tape community and build a dedicated campaign for the excellence that is Afterglow. Help us sing from the rooftops about this beautiful, trans led new Australian work. 

What will your donation be used for?

All the money raised from this campaign goes directly to supporting the artists involved in Afterglow. We believe passionately in giving people the space to create great art, without placing them at financial risk. ALL donations from this campaign will go directly towards artists fees and building out the production elements of the work. That means you know that your contribution is directly supporting cutting edge independent artists making brand new Australian work. 

DISCLAIMER - by being part of the Griffin Lookout Program we are receiving $7500 to use for the production. In this day and age, $7500 will get you about a week of 5.8 artist’s wages and that’s it. We are also seeking partnerships, sponsorships and government support - but your donations are vital to ensuring the equitable creation of Afterglow. 

FUNDING GOALS

The rundown of our funding goals are: 

Starter Goal: $3,000

Our starting goal boosts our initial stipend from Griffin to boost our weekly artist wages to cover 8 artists! There are 13 incredible artists involved in Afterglow! 

Primary Goal: $7,500

Our primary fundraising goal - doubles the amount provided by Griffin to boost the initial honorarium fee for the artists involved! This also includes the wonderful Bayley Turner to support the creative team to deliver the show 

Stretch Goal: $10,000

With our first stretch goal we can do everything above but with an increase to everyone's fees and superannuation! Because RETIREMENT? Let’s prepare for that!  

The 'WOW our community are so good to us' Goal: $15,000

If we can hit this goal we can pay 3 emerging/early career trans, non-binary or gender diverse young people to join the creative team as associates in a role they’re interested in pursuing! They’ll be mentored by the designer/creative in their role of choice and be supported to learn and fail and experience the joy of making work within community. 

The 'this is madness, you guys oh my god!" Goal: $20,000
Now this is a little crazy. Maybe we’ll have some lights and set and costumes! That’d be lovely! 

And let’s include a community night with music and food and a zine! 

If we don't reach our first goal, the way Pozible works is that no pledges are taken. So $3,000 is our first and most important target! Without this support, our ability to support our artists lessens.