Let's Make 2017 Amazing

Dear Friends,

I know 2016 has been a challenging year for many of you. From political turmoil to the shocking deaths of many beloved celebrities; from the failure of our media to separate truth from fiction, and the increasingly polarized tenor of our national discussion around race, politics, economics and the environment, it's been a very tumultuous and explosive time. But it's also been a time of incredible change and possibility, from the rise of Bernie Sanders to the phenomenon of Hamilton, from global cooperation on climate issues to the activism of progressive young Americans. Personally, I'm frequently AWED by the incredible work so many artists and artistic institutions are engaging in each day across the country and around the world.
 
2016 was also a banner year for BrickaBrack, including the development of our Ensemble and our first public performances in New York. We began the year with a workshop of ON THE FLIP SIDE last January - continuing our exploration of interactive theatre drawn from and concerning universal human experiences.

We continued our work in the Spring with a workshop of THE HOPE FRIEZE, PART ONE - our most ambitious project ever undertaken.

And we concluded our work this year with our first fully-staged NY show, presenting the completed ON THE FLIP SIDE at HERE in September.

I want to personally thank all of you who've been involved in our work over the course of 2016. From artists to donors to audience members, the efforts of many collaborators have made this work possible - especially our BrickaBrack Ensemble Members, who have been central to the development of the company in 2016: Amy, DeLance, Clinton, Jamil, Niki, and Rachel.

BrickaBrack Ensemble and Guest Artists

At BrickaBrack, here's how we make work: We get into a room and we talk. We move. We write. We do exercises that spark our imaginations, around issues that resonate with us - and, we hope, you! - where each member of the Ensemble has the opportunity to shape the focus and intent of our material. From this process, pieces of theatre emerge.
                                                                             
I'm very excited to embark on the project we have before us, 52 PICKUP, and to bring its initial phase to our audiences in NY this Spring. To do so, we need your help. Our greatest expense by far, at this phase, is renting rehearsal and performance space. Presently, it costs us about $20/hr for rehearsal space - if we're able get it at a discount! To workshop a project, it takes somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 weeks at 12 hrs/week, or 96 hours. That's around $2,000, just for space alone.

​Won't you consider being an instrumental part of our process of making new work and consider a tax-deductible donation to us today? There's still time to donate in 2016 through our portal at Fractured Atlas, our non-profit sponsor.
                    
Thank you so much for all of your support. We truly couldn't be doing this work without you. If history is any indicator, art traditionally thrives under challenging circumstances. That is why I'm so looking forward to 2017 and the opportunity that lies ahead with you; I believe it will be a time of burgeoning artistic exploration, both from our company and the field in general.
 
Here's to an amazing 2017 together as artists, creators, and community makers!
 
Yours,
​Gabriel
Artistic Director