Kickstarter Funding Appeal: THE MIKADO: RECLAIMED by GenEnCo at the Vortex, Austin, February 12 - March 6, 2016

Turning the (in)famous classic on its head to explore human resilience in the face of confinement, the Generic Ensemble Company appeals for contributions to cover $3000 in the expenses for the three-week run of   

The Mikado: Reclaimed Presented by Generic Ensemble Company in Partnership with The VORTEX in conjunction with LuckyChaos Directed by kt shorb Featuring: JooHee Anh, Annie Hedrick, Jonathan Itchon, Abigail Lucas, Smalls McCoy, Rachel Steed, and Leng Wong. Music Direction by Alex Hartley Lighting Design by Shelby Gebhart Costume Design by Lirit Pendell Cosmetic Design by Amelia Turner Scenic Design by Ann Marie Gordon Stage Management by Suzanne Smith Additional Music by Toshio Mana Associate Production by Lemons Clemons

The Mikado: Reclaimed flips the Gilbert and Sullivan classic on its head, presenting an (almost) all-Asian American cast performing a devised theatre piece with select musical numbers from the (in)famous operetta. Set in an internment camp in the near future, internees seek humanity amidst racism, corruption, and xenophobia. Queer love stories mingle with examinations of yellowface and conflict as we reinvent the well-known characters of Yum-Yum, Nanki-poo, and Ko-Ko.   

Why This Project Now

In a political climate of over-crowded immigrant detention centers, calls for “Muslim Bans,” and the largest refugee crisis in decades, The Mikado: Reclaimed explores human resilience and liberation in the face of real and metaphorical confinement. We are devising our piece based on research of Japanese American internment during World War II, Syrian refugee camps, and family detention centers.

How We Will Use These Funds

Donations from this campaign will go directly toward paying creative collaborators, that include seven actors, a director, video director and crew, music director, a stage manager, four designers and other personnel. We have already received a grant from the City of Austin, which will cover much of our talent and materials costs. We are grateful to The VORTEX for underwriting our project through providing performance space and other material goods so we can direct most of our resources toward paying talent. It is our goal to pay each actor at least $500. The $3000 will insure that. It is the goal of the Generic Ensemble Company to make creative labor sustainable for all collaborators. Love makes art good, but you can't eat it. Money helps.

Click to view the Kickstarter page with perks, more information and a donation platform

Let's Talk About Radical Rush

We are so proud to be partnering with The VORTEX on their Radical Rush program that reserves a bloc of free tickets in the spirit of sustainability, accessibility, and participating in the gift economy. Radical Rush tickets are released an hour before the performance starts--first come first serve. Your donation to this campaign allows us to offer our show to all patrons, regardless of their socio-economic status. 

Why We Are So Cool

The Generic Ensemble Company (GenEnCo) is one of the few troupes in Austin, and nationally, that centers people of color bodies and experiences in physically engaged, experimental, ensemble-based performance. GenEnCo has some grants and awards under its belt, and director, kt shorb, has presented work nationally. This is the most recent project aimed at asking profound questions toward social change through rigorous, dangerous, and community-conscious theatre. 

Other Ways You Can Help

If you cannot help out with donating to our cause, we are looking for volunteers to run the house, be backstage, and distribute media material. Do you have a blog, radio show, or column? Talk to us and share our project with your audience!

Ticket Info

You can reserve a seat by going to The VORTEX ticketing page.