Since 2023, I have been running a theatre company called NASHi Experimental Theatre Club.
For the past decade, Ukraine has been experiencing a cultural renaissance as it decolonizes itself of Russian influence, and grapples with questions of national identity as a newly independent nation whose very existence is at threat. Despite ongoing airstrikes and constant power cuts, we and other Ukrainian artists continue to make art, and people continue to seek it out (see this link if interested in reading more). For instance, over 200 people attended our NASHi.Salon that we held last October, which showcased works in development by Kyiv-based artists.

 

Last year, we won a substantial grant from the US State Department to support our work, with which we made essentially all of our plans for 2025.  However, due to the Trump administration's decision to freeze all foreign aid, our grant has now been completely suspended.  This interruption forced us to cancel a festival we had organized to mark the third anniversary of the war and put our schedule on pause while we apply for new sources of funding from the EU and other bodies that are stepping in to support flagging Ukrainian organizations. Although the news came as a massive shock, we remain undeterred.

Your donations will go towards:
- paying our monthly rent at the K41 Community Center (approximately 890 NZ Dollars per month), which serves as our rehearsal, performance, and event space!
- helping us to continue producing our low-cost educational and community projects two times per month;
NASHi.DiY - practical workshops and lectures led by international theatre professionals;

NASHi.Archive - a film series presenting seminal theatre productions from around the world to a Ukrainian audience for the first time, featuring live interviews with the artists involved;

NASHi.Salon - an open mic for emerging performing artists that gathers hundreds of theatre lovers to share new work.

Your contribution - regardless of the amount - will help us weather the storm, continue to bring our community together through our compelling work, and to ensure that Ukrainian voices continue to be heard internationally.