The Humanist Project
Nothing that is Human is Alien to me- Terrence
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Donate NowThe Professional Idiot Season
Support The Professional Idiot Season — three new projects, one bold leap into our future. Fuel the folly and help launch our first season of bold, ridiculous, heartfelt theatre.
Brooklyn, NY, US
- $5,013 raised of $16,000 goal
- 36 donations
- -116443 minutes left
Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas
A quick thank you and We’ve received a matching grant for $1400!Dear friends, We wanted to share a quick update — and to say thank you again for your support of The Humanist Project. Because of the generosity of donors like you, we’ve secured a matching grant of $1,400. That means every new dollar donated will be matched — dollar for dollar — up to $1,400 through January 10. If you’re willing to help us spread the word in these final days, sharing our campaign with a friend, colleague, or fellow theater-lover would make a real difference. Your voice and endorsement matter. We’re deeply grateful to have you in this community. Your support is already helping carry this work forward. With appreciation, Michael F. Toomey Artistic Director, The Humanist Project |
THE PROFESSIONAL IDIOT SEASON
The Humanist Project’s First Official Season
Support a Year of Bold, Playful, and Gloriously Human Theatre
This year, The Humanist Project is taking a major leap forward. After years of building shows in borrowed studios and residencies, fueled by coffee and foolish courage, we are launching our first-ever official season of work.
We call it The Professional Idiot Season — a celebration of play, humanity, physical comedy, and the art of being gloriously ridiculous.
WHY THIS SEASON MATTERS
A community has grown around The Humanist Project — artists, audiences, neighbors, teachers, newcomers, long-timers. People who believe that laughter is a form of resistance, play brings us together, and stories can help us heal.
In the past two years, we have:
• Created two award-winning, original productions in the Danvers Onions Cycle
• Performed at the NYC Fringe Festival
• Completed our first out-of-state residency
• Offered workshops for actors and non-actors
• Held space for neurodivergent artists
Now, for the first time, we’re gathering that momentum into one cohesive, idiocy-filled season!
THE SEASON LINEUP
1. NO BODY CARES: AMERICA’S FAVORITE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
A solo dark comedy created and performed by Michael F. Toomey
What happens when even Death can’t afford to die? Based on real interviews, this dark comedy follows the Reaper through the American healthcare labyrinth. We’ve done the research; your support helps us secure studio time, designers, and collaborators.
What happens when even Death can’t afford to die? Based on real interviews, this dark comedy follows the Reaper through the American healthcare labyrinth. We’ve done the research; your support helps us secure studio time, designers, and collaborators.
2. NATIO ALIENUS
The third chapter of the Danvers Onions Cycle
A sci-fi immigrant comedy about belonging, alienation, and finding home in unfamiliar worlds. Built from scratch: new ensemble, new world, new story. This season funds the essential early creation: research, play sessions, and ensemble building.
Featuring: Mia Alexandra, Jon Mykle Bowen, Fernando Zermeno
Production Stage Manager: Meg Meschino
A sci-fi immigrant comedy about belonging, alienation, and finding home in unfamiliar worlds. Built from scratch: new ensemble, new world, new story. This season funds the essential early creation: research, play sessions, and ensemble building.
Featuring: Mia Alexandra, Jon Mykle Bowen, Fernando Zermeno
Production Stage Manager: Meg Meschino
3. THE NEW WORKS READING SERIES
A season-long series of readings of new scripts to keep our community engaged. A welcoming space for playwrights, actors, and audiences to meet, listen, laugh, and build community.
HOW WE SERVE OUR COMMUNITY
The Humanist Project is committed to creating inclusive, neurodivergent-affirming spaces grounded in play, curiosity, and connection.
We offer:
• Low-cost workshops with tiered tuition
• Accessible performances in both urban and rural venues
• Rooms where risk is welcome, and failure is fuel
• Creative environments where people can show up as their full selves
• Accessible performances in both urban and rural venues
• Rooms where risk is welcome, and failure is fuel
• Creative environments where people can show up as their full selves
Our work is built for connection — for anyone who needs to laugh, to feel, to experiment, and to belong.
WHAT WE’RE RAISING: $16,000
Your donation supports:
✔ Artist pay
✔ Rehearsal and studio space
✔ Production costs
✔ Community programming
✔ Development of bold, original work
✔ Rehearsal and studio space
✔ Production costs
✔ Community programming
✔ Development of bold, original work
You’re helping us build a home for artists, audiences, and a community that believes in the power of laughter, curiosity, and compassion.
JOIN US
If you’ve ever laughed with us.
If you’ve ever felt seen by our work.
If you believe the world needs more joy and more humanity—
Help us launch The Professional Idiot Season.
Donate, share, and become part of The Humanist Project’s first official season.
Rewards
First Fool
Donate $10.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Because all great art begins with at least three mistakes.
Perks:
Perks:
- Group “Thank You” shout out on our social media
4 claimed
Second Banana
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
When life gives you Bananas, you get a second Banana.
Perks:
Perks:
- Group “Thank You” shout out on our social media
- Your name in the digital program
9 claimed
Class Clowns
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Misplacing your mind is not only accepted — it is encouraged.
Perks:
Perks:
- Group “Thank You” shout out on our social media
- Your name in the digital program
- Digital clown postcard
5 claimed
Danvers Dorks
Donate $75.00 or more
Amount over $25.00 is tax-deductible.
May or may not include Onion related imagery.
Perks:
Perks:
- Individual social media shoutout
- Your name in our Digital program
- Digital clown postcard
- Professional Idiot Hat
0 claimed
Highball Harlequin
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $30.00 is tax-deductible.
Ambition outruns logic — and we thank you for it.
Perks:
Perks:
- Individual social media shoutout
- Your name in our Digital program
- Digital clown postcard
- Professional Idiot Hat
- Group clown thank you video
- VIP Seating Access (with ticket purchase)
7 claimed
Buffoons R Us
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $50.00 is tax-deductible.
Not associated with any other known entity.
Perks:
Perks:
- Individual social media shoutout
- Your name in our Digital program
- Digital clown postcard
- Professional Idiot Hat
- Group clown thank you video
- VIP Seating Access (with ticket purchase)
- 1 Complimentary Ticket to a show of your choosing
0 claimed
Societal Simpleton
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $75.00 is tax-deductible.
Because we love the simple lifestyle.
Perks:
- Individual social media shoutout
- Your name in our Digital program
- Digital clown postcard
- Professional Idiot Hat
- Group clown thank you video
- VIP Seating Access (with ticket purchase)
- 2 Complimentary Tickets to a show of your choosing
- Season Q&A with the clowns
1 claimed
The Pantaloon
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $100.00 is tax-deductible.
(noun) men or women's close-fitting breeches fastened below the calf or at the foot.
Perks:
- Social media thank-you post (individual)
- Premium placement in physical & digital program
- Digital postcard
- Individual 'Thank You' video from the Clowns
- VIP seating
- 3 Complimentary Tickets to a show of your choosing
- Professional Idiot Hat
- Season Q&A with the clowns
- Backstage/tech rehearsal access (where permitted)
0 claimed
The Danvers Onions PhD in Professional Idiocracy
Donate $2,000.00 or more
Amount over $125.00 is tax-deductible.
The highest order of existential silliness, radical tenderness, and beautiful human mess.
Perks:
- Individual social media post thank-you
- Premium placement in digital & physical programs
- Digital postcard
- Individual video from the clowns thanking you personally
- VIP seating
- 4 Complimentary Tickets to a show of your choosing
- Season Q&A
- Professional Idiot Hat
- Expanded rehearsal access
- Optional Producer Circle Credit for the season
- Our love and affection.
1 claimed