Can of Worms

Aim

Can of Worms open. Pandora's Box empty. Flood gates breached. The SEQUEL to Box of Frogs. A foray into mental health and Climate concerns.

Stumble danceCircus is the brainchild of Mish Weaver who has worked with sculptural design and circus for the last 25 years. Bringing together talented circus performers, with a rich mix of brave ideas and boundless creativity.

Having created an astonishing performance in 2012 about circus and bipolar disorder, called Box of Frogs (please see video), Stumble is now ready to create the sequel.

We are fundraising for a research & development phase of a new circus performance, Can of Worms, which will examine how our feelings towards climate change are affecting our mental health. 

£2,000 will enable a first phase of Can of Worms character development capitalising on studio time with collaborating artists.   August 2016 through to October 2016 Stumble will use raised funds to:

• carry out research with established Clown teachers/directors, by attending workshops (initially with Peta Lily), inviting consultation and engaging in studio research days.
• research climate psychology and discussion with psychology professionals and climate experts, attending events, reading and interviews.
• trial unexpected or flash performances outdoors by solo and ensemble circus artists, with a view to developing circus parade as social interaction. 
• create some initial imagery and a small print run to publicise the project and canvas for input.
• audition performers with a desire to work with circus, voice, clown and visual theatre, a high skill level and expertese in collaborative devising.

If we can raise more that the target, we will be able to be in a credible position to make funding applications that reflect engagement of partners and collaborators. We could put aside some monies to act as partnership funding for applications.

Although the ultimate aim of Can Of Worms is indoor live circus performance Stumble will be using mini outdoor happenings to enrich public engagement in the work and create a forum for discussion on the streets.  We are looking to appreciate the multifarious ways in which our visions of the future are affecting mental health and our perceptions of behavioural disorders.  By personifying psychological reactions in circus characters, Stumble will open up debate around mental ill-health and examine use of medication to relieve anxiety and depression.

Preliminary scope of spending assuming £2000 raised

• Audition £50
• Artists's fees £1300
• Clown Training £170
• Travel costs £100
• Documentation and film/photos £100
• WIP street scratch events £100
• Rigging/Equipment £80
• Print of postcards £100

blog for Can of Worms

linked project Parade of Horribles

prequel show Box of Frogs

This project successfully funded on 1st August 2016