Soft Brain Theatre Company
Commedia made contemporary: cracking open a centuries-old artform and learning to love it anew.
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Donate NowOwen O'Leary's Theater Sequence Initiated
Help bring this new choose-your-own-adventure play to life with an exciting workshop experience featuring robots... in wigs!
Brooklyn, NY, US
- $1,706 raised of $3,001 goal
- 16 donations
- -1321939 minutes left
Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas
"Theater Sequence Initiated opened my eyes to what theatre can and should be..."
~ A quote from an audience member of the future
On December 9th - 11th, 2022, we’ll be putting on a workshop performance/experience of Owen O'Leary’s Theater Sequence Initiated! This futuristic, choose-your-own-adventure musical boldly breaks the mold of what contemporary theatre pieces are offering by giving our audience the power to control what happens in each performance. Even though it’s riddled with pop culture spoofs, futuristic elements, and hilariousness, you can be sure to expect some evil overlords, robot malfunctions, and interesting post-show convos too!
Why are we embarking on this electronic and ambitious quest, anyway?
- Soft Brain Theatre Company was founded on the principal of collaboration. From our leadership team, to our financial profit share system, to our rehearsal rooms, we are constantly aiming to make sure every person in our space has a voice and an influence over the company and the works that we create. And now our co-op values extend to our audiences: you get a voice in what the show will look like.
- We want to boldly go where no theatre has ever gone before. Theatre is constantly evolving and changing, and this specific show is bond to open doors of possibilities to what can and should be presented on stages. We are mixing piping-hot new technology with a centuries-old artform!
- The hustle and bustle of life gets in the way of our inner children. We are here to remind you of who you were when you were 4 years old, and how to keep that wide-eyed zest for life with you all these years later.
Who are we?
We started as a diverse group of artists from around New York City who have a knack for Physical Acting and comedy. We are a company first, though individually we are also:
- Musicians
- Playwrights
- Clowns
- Actors
- Instrumentalists
- Singers
- Devisers
- Entrepreneurs
- Theatre Technicians
- a group of people who strongly believe in each other and the work we can create together
We are motivated by the educators we learned from and our collaborators of the present. We are inspired to create work that will have a lasting impact.
Nicole Tsarouhas, a co-founder of the company, has worked on many developmental theatrical pieces and has performed across the tri-state area (including at Lincoln Center).
RJ Tabachnick, a co-founder of the company, has work on many new works at both NYU Tisch and Williamstown Theatre Festival and beyond.
Owen O'Leary, the playwright ofTSI and member of the executive board, is also an established actor and musician. His work has be streamed and shared around the world by many fans.
Isaiah Spetz, an executive board member, is also an established performer and artist. They've performed on stages across the country and lead physical acting classes in New York.
Nikki Amico, an executive board member, is also an established performer and artist. In addition, she works in education and leading the next generation of creative thinkers and artists (of all ages) through classes and workshops across the East Coast.
And that's just the start. Feel free to learn about all of our company members on our website.
Nicole Tsarouhas, a co-founder of the company, has worked on many developmental theatrical pieces and has performed across the tri-state area (including at Lincoln Center).
RJ Tabachnick, a co-founder of the company, has work on many new works at both NYU Tisch and Williamstown Theatre Festival and beyond.
Owen O'Leary, the playwright ofTSI and member of the executive board, is also an established actor and musician. His work has be streamed and shared around the world by many fans.
Isaiah Spetz, an executive board member, is also an established performer and artist. They've performed on stages across the country and lead physical acting classes in New York.
Nikki Amico, an executive board member, is also an established performer and artist. In addition, she works in education and leading the next generation of creative thinkers and artists (of all ages) through classes and workshops across the East Coast.
And that's just the start. Feel free to learn about all of our company members on our website.
Why we need YOUR help!
Putting on a show of any scale is a hefty undertaking, especially financially. There is also the financial burden of making theatre in NYC where renting space is not cheap. PLUS, in addition to developing a new script we are also developing new technology to go along with it.
We are looking for the likeminded theatregoers -- the ones who are tired of what is being commercially produced and seek something new and exciting. Finding our audience takes time and money so we can spread the word about who we are and the art we are making.
What will your donation go towards?
We are looking for the likeminded theatregoers -- the ones who are tired of what is being commercially produced and seek something new and exciting. Finding our audience takes time and money so we can spread the word about who we are and the art we are making.
What will your donation go towards?
- Rehearsal spaces! This is the most important. Without a space we cannot have a show. Our projections put our space budget in the $2,000 range.
- There is a lot that goes into this. A space is one thing, but we also have the the added expenses of renting equipment, liability insurance, etc.
- For props, sets, and costumes we are budgeting around $1,000.
- This sounds like a lot for some pieces of fabric, but as a futuristic and technological savy piece happening in an untraditional venue, we will need to completely transform the space! This includes sourcing seats for our audience members to sit on.
- New Technology! One of the most exciting parts of this project is that we are exploring uncharted territory by incorporating a choose-your-own-adventure into theatre. Because of this, it will involve a lot of software development and redevelopment which will quickly add up.
- And so much more!
- Marketing
- Lighting Equipment
- Paying artists
- Workshop fees
- Puppets/special effects!
So, when can I see this beauty up and running?
Good question, person asking. We are up and running with multiple rehearsals every week and we are committed to having our production of Theater Sequence Initiated premiere on December 9-11th, 2022 in Bushwick, New York!
Help us power back up, by donating! And you can maybe get a little something special in return.
Check out the rewards to the right.
Rewards
A Personal and Original Song!
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Back by popular demand!
We will write a song for you or someone of your choice (Your mom? Your crush? Your boss?) Improvised!
We will write a song for you or someone of your choice (Your mom? Your crush? Your boss?) Improvised!
5 / 9 claimed
Chocolate Mousse... I mean Mayonnaise
Donate $5.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
That's right, folks, one of our company members will be indulging in the delicacy that is chocolate and mayonnaise, in your honor.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like... no promises you'll get your first choice.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like... no promises you'll get your first choice.
0 / 24 claimed
Woohoo! A Haiku for You!
Donate $6.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
We will write you a personal haiku that is written specifically with you in mind.
Have a favorite poet of the bunch?
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like to write... no promises you'll get your first choice.
Have a favorite poet of the bunch?
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like to write... no promises you'll get your first choice.
0 / 23 claimed
Peanut Butter Spa Day
Donate $15.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
There's nothing quite like a nice facial mask, especially when it is made out of peanut butter. We are excited to mix face and nut oils and see what we get.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like to receive the mask... no promises you'll get your first choice.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like to receive the mask... no promises you'll get your first choice.
0 / 15 claimed
Plank Goodness for Your Support
Donate $16.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Thought we were a strong bunch mentally? Just you wait to see our physical strength. With this reward a company member will hold a 60-second plank in your honor.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like... no promises you'll get your first choice.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like... no promises you'll get your first choice.
0 / 10 claimed
BeReal but it's an Instagram Story
Donate $20.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Select this reward to have a company member post an embarrassing photo on their Instagram story without any explanation. Of course, it will be dedicated to you.
**Please add a note of your Insta handle (if you have) and a note to suggest which company member you would like to be embarrassed... no promises you'll get your first choice.
**Please add a note of your Insta handle (if you have) and a note to suggest which company member you would like to be embarrassed... no promises you'll get your first choice.
1 / 15 claimed
We Will Prank Call a Subject of Your Choice
Donate $30.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Has someone been getting on your nerves lately? Did you sister outshine you on April Fool's day last year? Does someone really need to hear some good news that was meant for someone else?
0 / 10 claimed
Rainbow Connection Cowboy
Donate $35.00 or more
Amount over $7.00 is tax-deductible.
Missing some Kermit the Frog in your life? For this reward we will paint a picture of Kermit the Frog in a cowboy hat and mail it to you.
**Please add a note to if you have a hat color preference.
**Please add a note to if you have a hat color preference.
0 / 6 claimed
Lip-Sync Performance of a Song of Your Choice
Donate $40.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Ever wanted to hear Nicole sound exactly like Lady Gaga? Or maybe you want to watch someone else lip-sync to your original song. Whatever it is, we will do it.
**Please add a note for the song choice and a note to suggest which company member you would like to lip-sync... no promises you'll get your first choice.
**Please add a note for the song choice and a note to suggest which company member you would like to lip-sync... no promises you'll get your first choice.
0 / 6 claimed
There are Ice Cubes in my Pants (or a pie in my face)
Donate $45.00 or more
Amount over $1.00 is tax-deductible.
Want to see some quiver with icy delight or get a creamy pie to the face? So do we.
**Please add a note to suggest which object you would like and a note for which company member will be receiving said object... no promises you'll get your first choice.
**Please add a note to suggest which object you would like and a note for which company member will be receiving said object... no promises you'll get your first choice.
0 / 5 claimed
Cinnamon Challenge... nuf said.
Donate $49.99 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like to partake... no promises you'll get your first choice.
0 / 3 claimed
It's a Date! A Dinner Date!
Donate $150.00 or more
Amount over $2.75 is tax-deductible.
Are you in NYC and looking for a dinner pal? Or, are you looking for some zoom company while you eat dinner outside of NYC?
We are here for you.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like to go on a dinner date with... no promises you'll get your first choice, but we will provide suggested alternatives if not.
We are here for you.
**Please add a note to suggest which company member you would like to go on a dinner date with... no promises you'll get your first choice, but we will provide suggested alternatives if not.
1 / 4 claimed
Improv Musical
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
We will improvise a full musical (20-30 mins) just for you. Featuring all your favorite company members, a beginning-middle-and-end, original music, and guaranteed laughter (or cringyness).
How will you know it's improvised? Give us a prompt! Fire up the random-word-generator and send the results our way.
How will you know it's improvised? Give us a prompt! Fire up the random-word-generator and send the results our way.
0 / 5 claimed