Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Support for the Arts, Anyone?



Photo by Salvatore Vuono
Before I get to the business at hand, I must send out an enormous thank you to Absolutely *Kate for publishing my story "Coils of Gold" on her amazing site AT THE BIJOU! The story was inspired by an incredibly fascinating photo taken by my friend Damian.  To see the photo and read the story, please head on over to AT THE BIJOU.  There are many other things to see and read while you're there, so stay awhile and enjoy yourself!

Absolutely *Kate always likes to interview the authors she publishes, and in her interview with me, she broke the news wide open of that tidbit of information I hinted about in my previous post. So if you haven't read it there, I'll tell you now. 

My short play, MIND CONTROL, has been accepted as one of the 40 finalists for the 35th Annual Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival. Whoa!  Wow! Mind-blowing!  I'm stunned.  Seriously.  I am beyond thrilled, but seriously stunned and still wrapping my head around the information.  BroadwayWorld did an article about the fact that this year, Samuel French received a record number of submissions. Over 880. And they narrowed it down to 40.  Six will get publishing contracts!  Can I say it again?  WOW!

After getting over the initial excitement, I'm now overwhelmed with the logistics of the situation.  I need to wear the producer's hat for this thing; a role I'm not too comfortable playing.  I have to get my tush out to NYC (the festival takes place July 13th-18th), I have to get a director, a cast, and find a way to pay for all of this.  YIKES. Daunting....but not impossible.

I'm not asking for a handout, folks...I'm simply asking for some fundraising ideas because this opportunity is too good to pass up, doncha' think?  It's not like I'm trying to produce a massive Broadway-scale production...just a 12 minute play that will help convince the Samuel French powers that be to realize this play needs to be in their catalogue. But of course, even that takes money when you're doing it all by yourself.  Which I am. 

They say if you don't ask, you don't get. So, I'm throwing it out there.  And I'm hoping for some positive feedback.  I apologize if this is clumsy and awkward...it is not my area of expertise.  But...if you don't ask, you don't get.  So, I'm asking....

Thank you in advance for your advice and good wishes for this humble writer...I look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions.

5 comments:

Savira Gupta said...

That is wonderful news. Well you could do an auction. You could donate your writing /editors skills some where... Just a thought

Debbie Lamedman said...

Thank you! It's a great suggestion. I don't know about an auction...I don't really have anything to auction! Thanks so much for your support-really appreciate it!

Lisa said...

Do you have "arty" friends? You could maybe do an Improv night, and charge admission, or set up an Independent Art sale at some venue, where every artist pays $20 to rent a table, and you charge $1 admission to prospective buyers.

What about a playwriting workshop offered through your local Community Centre?

Doreen McGettigan said...

What exciting news; congrats! And you are absolutely right if you do not ask you do not get. Put a fund raising letter together and take it to every business in your area! You may get some rejections (which I'm sure you are used too) But you could get a sponsorship. Try Walmart, big businesses and the smaller ones and good luck!

Debbie Lamedman said...

Thank you for your suggestions Lisa and Doreen. Both great ideas...I won't lie--this is all very overwhelming to me. I appreciate your support!