Celebrating AWAKE's Successful First Midterm Runthrough!
Dear AWAKE supporters,
We're thrilled to share some exciting news with you! Our team has successfully completed the first midterm run-through of AWAKE. This is a significant milestone for us as we've staged two-thirds of the script, giving shape and momentum to our unique musical narrative.
In addition to this, we had our first designer presentation, which turned out to be a very constructive experience. We gathered valuable suggestions that will help us refine and perfect our production. It was also the first opportunity for our performers and production team to engage in an open discussion about the project, fostering an even stronger sense of camaraderie and shared commitment to our vision. Production Meeting
We're pleased to give you a sneak peek into our journey. Please enjoy these snippets of our rehearsal and a special song from AWAKE. These glimpses will give you a taste of our progress and a hint of what's to come in our final production.
We're incredibly grateful for your continued support. The success of this run-through is, in large part, thanks to your belief in our project. As we continue to move forward, we're even more excited about what the future holds for AWAKE. AWAKE Family!!
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you again for being a part of this incredible journey.
Awake : What’s It About
Awake is more than just a play with music - it is a venture into self-understanding, a quest for the essence of existence, and an expedition into truth and illusion, comfort, and adventure.
This original play with music penned by Melvin Yen, set to debut this summer, explores a post-apocalyptic world where two individuals, Siyu and Linjiang, subsist in a small forest cabin. As Siyu uncovers layers of her forgotten past and questions their sequestered life, what will she find? Deceit or reality?
Your support enables Siyu's quest for her truth, led by a book, a fable, and a fish – her guides towards her destiny, her "East ''.
Producing a wholly original, self-funded play is a formidable task. Your generous donations will support us in:
Renting the venue and rehearsal space in this crazy expensive NYC (which can be upwards of $4,000 per week 😭).
Renting equipment to achieve our artistic vision: In this production, we design gorgeous projection and lighting effects and try to organically combine them to the set design and actors’ movements. Your support helps us rent qualified equipment to make this happen.
Procuring sets, props and costumes.
Promoting the show: It is extremely hard to promote a completely original story. Our marketing team desperately needs your support in doing digital and offline marketing campaigns to let everyone know this great piece!
Why Us
Awake is a play with music that seeks to bring together multiple artistic disciplines to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience for audiences. It combines acting, music, and embodied performance to amplify the characters' emotions, while incorporating a large amount of projection visual elements on the basis of traditional scenery to create a dream-like scene that challenges traditional stage visual arts.
One of the key artistic goals of Awake is to showcase the talent of a young and diverse group of theater professionals. Led by female and LGBTQ+ artists, the production team and All-Asian acting team includes graduates from New York University, Columbia University, UCSD, and other esteemed institutions. Awake represents an important step in their journey to becoming professional artists, while also filling a gap in the New York theater industry's Mandarin works.
In addition to its artistic ambitions,Awake is also committed to making the play accessible to a diverse range of people. As a Mandarin work, it satisfies the demand of Mandarin users and audiences interested in Mandarin drama in New York and surrounding areas. However, the play is fully subtitled in English to make it more accessible to the English-speaking community.
A STAGE THEATRE is a dynamic and innovative theatre group dedicated to producing original plays and musicals in Mandarin that showcase Asian stories and life experiences. Stating our slogan as “A Stage At A Time,” we believe in empowering early-career playwrights and providing a platform for their creative voices. Our goal is not only to produce thought-provoking and entertaining Mandarin theatre, adding a unique perspective of storytelling to the theatre world in New York City, but also to build a supportive community of theatre creators and enthusiasts in the New York Area. Join us as we bring fresh perspectives to the stage and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Asia.
As our first production, Awake is a significant milestone for A STAGE THEATRE. For more information, please visit our website at: astagetheatre.com or follow us on instagram: astagetheatre
Rewards
Every contribution counts and is deeply appreciated. Each donor will be added to our email list to receive updates on Awake. Whatever the amount is, you will receive great love from the bottom of our hearts. Depending on the level of your contribution, you'll also receive the following rewards:
Buy Us A Prop ($25) : You're buying us a prop! In return, you'll receive a social media shout-out, and we'll proudly include your name in our program.
Buy Us 10 Posters ($50)：Your contribution buys us 10 posters to launch a marketing campaign! In addition to a social media shout-out and your name in our program, we'll send you a set of original designer stickers.
Buy Us A Piece of Costume ($100): By gifting us a beautiful costume, you will receive our original designed tote bag along with the sticker set, a social media shout-out, and your name listed in our program.
Rent Us A Haze Machine ($200): By renting us equipment such as a haze machine, you will receive an exclusive link to Awake official recording besides all rewards above.
Rent Us A Day of the Theater ($500): Fund a full day's theater rental! As a token of our gratitude, you will receive two reserved-seat tickets to our show and an invitation to our private dress rehearsal, along with all the other rewards from the previous levels.
Be Our Hero ($1000): As a token of our deep gratitude, your rewards will be elevated as well. In addition to all preceding acknowledgements, you will receive an annotated digital copy of the Awake script, two reserved VIP tickets and a one-of-a-kind private tour behind the scenes. Your journey with us at this level not only creates, but defines the world of Awake. Thank you for embarking on this journey with us as a Hero.
The stage is set and our hearts are eager. Together, we can bring Awake to life and reshape the landscape of Mandarin theater.
If you're interested in bigger contribution opportunities, becoming part of our "Funders Circle", or exploring other collaborative prospects, we'd love to hear from you. Don't hesitate to contact us: info@astagetheatre.com
Every step of this journey is a testament to our collective passion for the arts. We thank you for your support, your faith, and your willingness to dream with us.
Let's awaken this dream, together.
Rewards
Buy Us A Prop
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
You're buying us a prop! In return, you'll receive a social media shout-out, and we'll proudly include your name in our program.
Buy Us 10 Posters
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount over $5.00 is tax-deductible.
Your contribution buys us 10 posters to launch a marketing campaign! In addition to a social media shout-out and your name in our program, we'll send you a set of original designer stickers.
Buy Us A Piece of Costume
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
By gifting us a beautiful costume, you will receive our original designed tote bag along with the sticker set, a social media shout-out, and your name listed in our program.
Rent Us A Haze Machine
Donate $200.00 or more
Amount over $40.00 is tax-deductible.
By renting us equipment such as a haze machine, you will receive an exclusive link to Awake official recording besides all rewards above.
Rent Us A Day of the Theater
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $90.00 is tax-deductible.
Fund a full day's theater rental! As a token of our gratitude, you will receive two reserved-seat tickets to our show and an invitation to our private dress rehearsal, along with all the other rewards from the previous levels.
Be Our Hero
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $200.00 is tax-deductible.
As a token of our deep gratitude, your rewards will be elevated as well. In addition to all preceding acknowledgements, you will receive an annotated digital copy of the Awake script, two reserved VIP tickets and a one-of-a-kind private tour behind the scenes. Your journey with us at this level not only creates, but defines the world of Awake. Thank you for embarking on this journey with us as a Hero.
