A Triptych of Solos (#CHARLOTTESVILLE, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, THE WALL)
Fearless Art in Fearful Times
Stand Up for Fearless Theatre: Help Take #CHARLOTTESVILLE to Edinburgh Fringe
Fearless Art in Fearful Times
United States
In a time when federal institutions like the NEA are pulling back funding (yes, I lost my funding too), supporting bold, independent artists isn’t just important — it’s urgent. My latest play, #CHARLOTTESVILLE, is a defiant response to racial violence and rising nationalism and taking it to the world’s largest theatre festival is not without risk. As an immigrant, I’m performing a play that directly critiques white supremacy, hate speech, and authoritarian power structures in both the U.S. and abroad. Your contribution helps ensure that voices like mine aren’t silenced by fear, censorship, or bureaucracy.
Help me take #CHARLOTTESVILLE to the most vital and visible platform in the world — the Edinburgh Fringe, and help amplify fearless art on a global stage.
#CHARLOTTESVILLE chronicles the tragic events of August 11th and 12th, 2017, when white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia for the “Unite the Right” rally on the pretext of expressing outrage against the removal of a confederate monument, leading to a violent clash with counter-protesters. Constructed verbatim from interviews with over a hundred local residents, court transcripts from the civil trial, and news reports, this is an urgent and personal exploration of how a town and the nation grapple with white supremacy.
Help me take #CHARLOTTESVILLE to the most vital and visible platform in the world — the Edinburgh Fringe, and help amplify fearless art on a global stage.
#CHARLOTTESVILLE chronicles the tragic events of August 11th and 12th, 2017, when white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia for the “Unite the Right” rally on the pretext of expressing outrage against the removal of a confederate monument, leading to a violent clash with counter-protesters. Constructed verbatim from interviews with over a hundred local residents, court transcripts from the civil trial, and news reports, this is an urgent and personal exploration of how a town and the nation grapple with white supremacy.
“STUNNING, UNFLINCHING, POIGNANT.”
★★★★★ — DC Theater Arts
“RIVETING, CHANGE-MAKING THEATRE AT ITS VERY BEST.”
★★★★★ — StageBuddy
“CHILLING.”
— The Washington Post
“MEETS THE CURRENT MOMENT WITH URGENCY.”
— Washington City Paper
“THRUSTS TELEVISION TRAGEDY INTO REALITY.”
— MD Theatre Guide
🎯 Where Your Support Goes — $50,000 Goal
1. Edinburgh Fringe Production – $25,000
Bringing #CHARLOTTESVILLE to the world’s largest theatre festival is no small feat. This amount covers:
- Venue rental and registration fees at Fringe
- Housing and per diem for 4 weeks
- Travel and baggage costs for myself and essential collaborators
- Festival technician fees and production support
- Set shipping and storage (between NYC and Edinburgh)
- Rehearsal space rental
- Insurance and show materials
This is the core investment to ensure the show can be seen by international audiences, programmers, and press.
2. NYC Performances (Pre-Fringe Run) – $5,000
Before heading to Edinburgh, #CHARLOTTESVILLE will have a showcase run in NYC as part of East to Edinburgh at 59E59 Theaters. Costs include:
- Venue rental
- Tech and crew support
- Short-term housing and per diem during tech rehearsals and performances
- Printing and marketing collateral for audience engagement
- Show documentation (photographer/videographer for Fringe press kit)
- Production assistant stipend and local transportation
This is a critical step to refine the show, gain visibility, and connect with Fringe audiences and press in advance.
3. Marketing + PR – $8,000
To cut through the noise at both NYC and Edinburgh, strategic outreach is key:
- Festival PR support (Fringe-specific publicist + NYC outreach)
- Graphic design and printing (posters, flyers, postcards)
- Digital assets, social media marketing, video editing for promos
- Targeted ad spend (particularly vital for Fringe)
This ensures the show gets seen — by audiences, producers, and the press.
4. Artist Fees + Collaborators – $7,000
Your support helps compensate:
- Director / Designers / Rehearsal collaborators
- Stage/Tech support in both cities
- Local assistants and show operators
- Administrative help with tour logistics
This values the labor of the team behind the scenes that makes this work possible.
5. Documentation, Capture & Legal – $5,000
To preserve and advance the life of the play beyond Fringe:
- Professional filming and documentation for grant applications and booking interest
- Archiving and promotional photography
- Immigration legal fees related to performance travel under an O-1 visa
- Professional filming and archival documentation for grant applications, presenter outreach, and long-term distribution
- Promotional photography and digital asset creation for press, booking, and future touring
- Immigration legal fees tied to international performance travel
As an immigrant artist in the U.S., the current political climate makes international touring more complex and potentially risky. This support helps ensure that I can leave to perform #CHARLOTTESVILLE — and return home safely.
TOTAL: $50,000
Rewards
🎥 $1,000+ — Producer Circle
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
All of the above, plus:
- Access to a private digital link of the World Premiere performance (available post-Fringe for a limited time)
- Invitation to a virtual donor salon + artist talkback with Priyanka after the Fringe
- Website recognition as a Producer Circle supporter
- A signed digital copy of selected interview excerpts from the 100+ conversations that shaped #CHARLOTTESVILLE
0 / 50 claimed
💛 $50+ — Supporter
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
- Thank-you shout-out on social media
- Your name listed on the official donor wall on Priyanka’s website
2 / 250 claimed
📬 $100+ — Amplifier
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $10.00 is tax-deductible.
All of the above, plus:
- A personal thank-you email from Priyanka
- A Fearless Art in Fearful Times sticker mailed to you
- Access to exclusive behind-the-scenes updates from Edinburgh
1 / 200 claimed
🎟️ $250+ — Insider
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $50.00 is tax-deductible.
All of the above, plus:
- Access to exclusive behind-the-scenes updates from Edinburgh
- A signed digital headshot from the production
- Early access to reserve a free ticket for a future U.S. remount
0 / 150 claimed
🖋️ $500+ — Witness
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $50.00 is tax-deductible.
All of the above, plus:
- A signed 11x17 poster from the Edinburgh run
- A personalized video thank-you message from Priyanka
- A limited-edition sticker pack (featuring original art + campaign tagline)
0 / 100 claimed
🔥 $5,000+ — Fearless Art Torchbearer
Donate $5,000.00 or more
Amount over $100.00 is tax-deductible.
For those who carry the flame so stories like this can be told.
All of the above, plus:
All of the above, plus:
- Recognition as a Fearless Art Torchbearer on the campaign and donor webpage
- Invitation to attend a private rehearsal or behind-the-scenes session (virtual or in-person, as scheduling allows)
- Priority access to future showings, collaborations, and events related to #CHARLOTTESVILLE and Priyanka’s solo performance trilogy
- A personalized thank-you gift honoring your impact
0 / 25 claimed