Thursday, March 26, 2020
The coronavirus outbreak has brought out the best in many ofus, including free concerts, funny videos and heartwarming neighbors-helping-neighborsstories. A group of New York performers want to help too. That’s why theylaunched Trickle Up, a streamingvideo subscription service that features a variety of video performances, reportsThe New York Times. Proceeds from the service will be donated tosupport fellow New York artists who are struggling financially during thisdifficult time.
For $10 a month, subscribers can access smartphone videosmade by participating artists. In additions, those wanting to support the causecan make a one-time or recurring donation via PayPal. So far, more than 50artists have agreed to provide at least three videos each in exchange forgetting to choose a recipient of some of the proceeds. Some of the performersinclude:
- Basil Twist, puppeteer
- Bridge Everett, actor, singer, comedian
- Suzan-Lori Parks and Annie Baker, Pulitzer Prize-winningplaywrights
- Penny Arcade, performance artist
- Andre de Shields, Tony-winning performer
- Rachel Chavkin and Lear DeBessonet, directors
- Dominique Morisseau, playwright
- Michael Gutierrez, choreographer, composer,performer, singer
Performances may include singing, dancing, dramatic readings,monologues and more from existing and original works with different artists featuredeach month. The project is being led by actor, performer and playwright TaylorMac.
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“One day, I overheard a woman in the lobby say she had threejobs yesterday, and no jobs today,” Mac told The New York Times in aphone interview. “I spent the first 35 years of my life living week toweek, gig to gig. It’s just impossible for people to even buy groceries, to dobasic things, with no stable income for a while, and then no income.”
The Trickle Up website describes the organization’s missionthis way: “This is an artists helping artists network. If we can get 10,000subscribers at $10 a month, then every month we can give $10,000 to 10different artists affected by the Covid-19 cancelations. And every month 10 newartists in need will get $10,000. If wesurpass our goal, more people will get help.”
Mac said he hopes this is the start of something thatoutlasts coronavirus.
“My entire art form has been about gathering people together to share space,” Mac told The Times. “But what I see on the other side of this is the artistic solution: How can we still stay connected and build community?”
In addition to participation from dozens of artists, TrickleUP has the support of promotional partners including Brooklyn Arts Council,Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Beth Morrison Projects, Clubbed Thumb, The Flea, HEREArts Center, Howlround, Lark Theatre, Ma-Yi, MAP Fund, NAATCO, New Dramatists,New Georges, New Ohio, NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center, On the Boards, Peoplmovr,Play Co, Rattlestick, and Times Square NYC.
Insider Take:
These are unprecedented and extraordinary times, and it isso heartwarming to see communities like this working together for the commongood. Artists are taking their talent and using it to support other performerswhose plays, concerts, events and other performances may have been cancelled orpostponed because of COVID-19. This is a creative solution that couldpotentially make a big difference in the lives of the participating performersas well as the recipients of their generosity. Bravo!
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