The Pittsburgh premiere of this play about death and not enough room in the family cemetery. Mental health and queer love are at the heart of this story. And geese.
The tragic loss of multiple family members brings those remaining back to the farm to bury the dead in the ancestral cemetery. However, Vermont state burial laws turn out to be a bit more strict than imagined, and space is getting tight in the old family graveyard. Who gets in, and who gets ditched? That’s left up to the head of the family, the two feuding grown children, a rancher, a pagan, a visitor, and the town health officer who was not prepared for this kind of circus.
We are seeking $8,000 to pay the actors and artists who are bringing this show about death to life. This goal amount will also cover the theater rental and material costs.Very Berry Dead has been in development since 2020, including two readings, and a full production at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. Now it's time to bring the play home. Help us do just that!
This is a scrappy, grassroots endeavor. Any money not raised through this campaign or ticket sales will come out of the pocket of our playwright/producer. The generosity of our community allows us to keep putting on shows and paying our artists.
The play explores issues around mental health, grief, and the LGBTQ community. The playwright drew from his own life to create this story about loss and healing.
World premiere of Very Berry Dead at Saginaw Valley State University, Feb 2023, photo by Jeff Schrier
Big Storm Performance Company presents Very Berry Dead
By José Pérez IV Directed by Taylor Couch
Cast:
MA - Sarah Deasy J.J. - José Pérez IV SCAT - Ernesto Mario Sánchez SIMS - Matt Henderson MARIGOLD - Carolyn Jerz CASEY - Claire Sabatine RILEY - Julia Kreutzer
First staged reading of Very Berry Dead, Big Storm Studios, April 2022
Breakdown of funds requested: $3,975 will pay our Actors, Director & Costume Designer, Lighting and Sound Designers, Stage Manager and Board Operator $3,050 will cover our Theater Rental + Insurance $975 for Material costs (props, costumes, set, U-haul, promotional, etc.)
Set Model, by Laura Finkle, Feb 2024 Second staged reading of Very Berry Dead, University of Pittsburgh, October 2022
Rewards
Tier 1
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Your name placed in the digital program.
Tier 2
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount over $20.00 is tax-deductible.
One ticket to a performance of your choosing, and your name in the digital program.
Tier 3
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $40.00 is tax-deductible.
Two tickets to performances of your choosing, your name in the digital program.
Tier 4
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $60.00 is tax-deductible.
You will be named as a major donor in our preshow speech (unless you prefer to remain anonymous), three tickets to performances of your choosing, your name in the digital program listed as a major donor.
Tier 5
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $80.00 is tax-deductible.
You will receive the title page of the play with the cast and creative team's signatures, a social media post recognizing your generous donation, named as a major donor in our preshow speech (unless you prefer to remain anonymous), four tickets to performances of your choosing, your name in the digital program listed as a major donor.
Top Tier
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $80.00 is tax-deductible.
You will be named as a Presenting Sponsor of the production in both our preshow speech and the digital program (unless you prefer to remain anonymous), receive the title page of the play with the cast and creative team's signatures, a social media post recognizing your generous donation, and four tickets to performances of your choosing.
Morbid Top Tier
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $88.00 is tax-deductible.
You will be featured in the show - we will use a picture of you as one of the deceased Berry family members, it will be prominently displayed in the performance. You will also be named as a Presenting Sponsor of the production in both our preshow speech and the digital program (unless you prefer to remain anonymous), receive the title page of the play with the cast and creative team's signatures, a social media post recognizing your generous donation, and four tickets to performances of your choosing.
