Howdy! SALOON GIRLS is a new play created by August Kiss Fegley, Katie Kunkel, and Alison Newton that explores themes of sisterhood, sexuality, and female independence. Our cast will pour you a stiff one as they pull back the curtain on a 19th-century brothel in Cripple Creek Colorado, one of the most influential mining towns of the Great American West. Journey with us through the unique backstories of six soiled doves, woven in a rich historical tapestry of traditional Americana song and dance. We are shaking in our cowboy boots to be premiering Saloon Girls at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest live performance art festival. It’s about time we introduce these Painted Ladies to our friends across the pond!

BUT - we can't do it alone. Your support will fund our performances at home and abroad! First, our three preview performances at 59E59 as part of their East to Edinburgh Festival, on July 16, 17 and 19. Next, we'll be heading to August Kiss Fegley's and Katie Kunkel's alma matter for a preview performance in Bethlehem, PA on July 26. Finally, the SALOON GIRLS will fly across the pond for our two-week run in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from August 11-23.

We’ve already raised $5,000 towards venue rentals. We are now launching a crowdfunding campaign for $25,000 to cover the costs of Travel and Housing for our team, Marketing and Publicity to stand out in a festival of over 3,000 other shows, and Production Costs. All donations are tax deductible.

Every dollar counts, and no contribution is too small.

Your gift will allow us to tell a story that champions the women who’ve been written out of history. By supporting us, you’re honoring the legacy of these women with authenticity, humor, and heart.

Together, we can challenge outdated narratives and celebrate these women for who they truly were: survivors, hustlers, and trailblazers.
 

THE PLAY
By August Kiss Fegley, Katie Kunkel, and Alison Netwon
Directed by Katie Kunkel

Performed by August Kiss Fegley, Alison Newton, Zoya Ansari, Aubree Williams Chloe Mutebi, and Olivia Tyrrell.

SALOON GIRLS is a show inspired by the many women who were able to reclaim agency and economic independence in towns where they were in a severe gender minority. Saloons were typically the primary source of community and companionship in notoriously transient towns with madams and sex-workers being key to their operations. While abuse and suffering were not unfamiliar to these women, we also see human stories of resilience and cunning. Our play will showcase the women of this period as the colorful, resourceful, and dynamic people they truly were

The story unfolds in one room—the dressing room—where the women doll themselves up, debrief their evenings, and scheme to navigate a male-dominated lawless land. The narrative delves into relationships between the painted ladies and their Madam, whose status quo is thrown to bits by the arrival of a long-lost sister in search of her sibling. We'll follow these women as they navigate new and old relationships as they blossom and deteriorate against the backdrop of volatile profession and community.
 
OUR TEAM 
August Kiss Fegley and Katie Kunkel are a producing team who have been making theatre together since they joined forces in high school (Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, 2018 Graduates). It is long held dream for them to create and produce their own work. They aim to tell more stories with women at the center, and to explore the narratives of rich and dynamic characters who are often misunderstood. They are thrilled to work alongside other NYC based artists to finally bring this passion to life.

August Kiss Fegley (Producer/Playwright/Actor) (Marvel) is an actor and playwright based in Brooklyn, NY. Some favorite credits include The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus (Syracuse Stage), Cherrybomb (938 Collective), and This Property Is Condemned (Treasure House Theater). She made her off-Broadway debut last summer in The Bronze Boy, which premiered in 59E59's East to Edinburgh series before debuting internationally at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As a part-time Sexual Health educator, she is inspired by stories that explore themes of sexuality and empowerment. August holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University’s School of Drama and has studied under Moisés Kaufman with Tectonic Theatre Project’s Moment Work Institute (The Laramie Project). augustkissfegley.com @augustfegley

Katie Kunkel (Producer/Playwright/Director)

Katie Kunkel is Brooklyn, NY based director and playwright whose experience lends itself to women dominant casts. Previous projects include director of Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche, assistant director of The Wolves at George Washington University, and director of Oscar Wilde’s Salome. She graduated from GWU with a BA in Religion and Peace Studies where she studied the cultural impact of storytelling globally.

Alison Newton (Playwright/Fight Director/Actor) (Lucky)

Alison Newton is an actor and playwright originally from Houston, Texas currently based in Brooklyn, NY. An improv comedian, she originated a role at the Sterling Renaissance Festival and is certified in Immersive and Interactive Theatre Performance. She also holds the title of actor combatant, certified in four weapons with the Society of American Fight Directors. She has the short film Beijing Rodeo and new series The Nature of Us premiering later this year. She holds a BFA in Acting and a minor in Psychology from Syracuse University. alisonnewton.info Instagram: @alison.newton 

Learn More: https://augustkissfegley.com/saloon-girls