Crowdfunding For Equality

A press release from Art With Heart:

Crowdfunding for Equality

Art with Heart need your support to reach hundreds of people with their inclusive coming of age tale.

Equality driven Theatre Company, Art with Heart are raising money through Crowdfunding website Kickstarter to nationally tour their Award Winning Play Secret Diaries.

“Secret Diaries is an inclusive, honest story which questions acceptance and allows you to challenge your own opinions on friendship, love, society, power, family values and discrimination” – Writer Sarah Evans

Secret Diaries advocate, Kate Green MP Shadow Minister for Disabilities said:

“This is a brilliant, really creative and important project to give young people the chance to think and feel confident about their sexual identity and how to open up the difficult conversations about equality and respect for all. I want young people everywhere to have the chance to see, talk about and reflect on it – and the adults who care about them to do so too.”

Art with Heart have already received some funding for the tour, but are keen to raise the rest of the funds needed through pledges from the general public.

“For us, Crowdfunding is so much more than just funding; it is a way of creating a community of like-minded, passionate people, with similar values, who can work towards a shared goal. We’re all part of it from start to finish and that’s important.” – Director Rachel Moorhouse

“Crowdfunding is different to traditional fundraising, every pledge has a reward, from a public thank you, to 80s/90s treats from our props treasure chest and tickets to a performance. It is important for us to be able to give something in return for helping making it happen” – Evans

Secret Diaries is a Play for anyone age 14-114. It charts the big stuff in life from dance routines to coming out; exploring homophobia and finding your own voice. Secret Diaries follows the story of Hayley, a young lesbian growing up in the 80s, with her Dad and best friend Debbie, to present day.

“To start a conversation about equality, you need everyone around the table. Secret Diaries was born out of a need for honest conversations around homophobia; helping people to feel comfortable in their own skin.” – Evans

With the support of pledgers through Kickstarter, Art with Heart will tour the country with up to 22 performances, give free workshops and education packs to schools and youth groups, provide free teacher training events and provide a British Sign Language interpreter on tour.

Evans, Creative Director and writer is passionate about British Sign Language access:

“Having a BSL interpreter with us at every step of our development, rehearsals and on tour is key in making sure everyone has an equal experience. There often isn’t enough choice of dates or productions which are either BSL interpreted or integrated and we want to show that it’s important to give equal access. I’m hearing, studying for my Level 3 and always seek out work which is interpreted. It’s frustrating when there is a clear exclusion from performances, or feel like you are behind, or not getting the same experience as everyone else. We’ve also created a fully translated version of the script to ensure nothing is lost in interpretation.”

“It’s brilliant to work with a company who are really passionate about giving the same experience to BSL users as hearing audiences. I’ll be working in rehearsals not just turning up on tour, which will make sure that everyone gets a high quality experience of the work we’re making” – BSL interpreter Rachel Moffatt-Feldman.

They will be bringing people together during National Anti-Bullying Week for an 80s themed party.

“Everyone knows what it’s like to feel like you don’t fit it, we want to bring people together and stand stronger. National Anti-Bullying Week is a time to stop, reflect and support.” – Evans

“With 12 days to go we’ve reached 69% funded, but it’s not signed, sealed, delivered, there’s still a long way to go. If we don’t reach our target then everyone gets their money back, it’s all or nothing and we think that’s important. Every Kickstarter has a video, our whistlestop tour of 80s hits and ridiculous dancing has made people smile, and we hope it will for you too.”- Moorhouse

If you would like to support Art with Heart in reaching their goal in time go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/artwithheart/secret-diaries. Pledges start from just £1.