Theatre Collective crowdfunds for Stockholm Fringe Festival

In an inspiring move to showcase Malaysian talent on the global stage, Terrafunk Theatre Collective is launching a crowdfunding campaign to support their acclaimed production “Into the Symbiocene” at the 2024 Stockholm Fringe Festival (STOFF). The independent theatre group, based in Kuala Lumpur, aims to raise RM 35,000 to cover travel and production costs for their team of nine.

“Into the Symbiocene” is a reworked version of “Symbiocene,” which premiered at Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) in December 2023 and won a BOH Cameronian Arts Award. This revamped production has been selected to participate in STOFF, which runs from August 26 to September 1, 2024. The festival, renowned for its celebration of innovative and boundary-pushing performances, provides a perfect platform for Terrafunk to share their unique vision.

Exploring Eco-Emotions in “Into the Symbiocene”

Set against the pressing backdrop of the Anthropocene epoch, where human activities significantly impact the Earth’s climate and ecosystems, “Into the Symbiocene” aims to plant seeds of hope for a sustainable future. The play draws inspiration from Australian philosopher Glenn Albrecht’s book, “Earth Emotions: New Words for a New World,” which explores our emotional relationships with the Earth.

In their devising process, the collective uses Albrecht’s concept of eco-emotions—such as solastalgia (homesickness while still at home) and eutierria (the feeling of oneness with nature)—to create a 60-minute physical theatre performance. This piece highlights the damage to Malaysian rainforests while envisioning a future where humanity lives in harmony with nature, a period Albrecht dubs the Symbiocene.

A Mission-Driven Ensemble

Terrafunk Theatre Collective merges “Terra” (Earth) and “funk” (vibrant style) to create engaging and thought-provoking theatre. The collective, more than just a group of performers, is a community of passionate artists committed to using the power of performance to spark important conversations and inspire change. Their mission is to connect, provoke thought, and make the world a better, funkier place through the magic of theatre.

Lim Sheng Hui, an actor, director, and writer, leads the creative charge. With a deep-rooted connection to nature from a young age, Sheng aims to bridge her love of nature with theatre to promote sustainable living. A graduate of Vassar College, New York, with departmental and general honors in Drama, Sheng’s directorial debut, “Symbiocene,” set the stage for this reimagined production.

Leysha Al-yahya, the producer, brings over a decade of industry experience. A writer, filmmaker, and mother, Leysha graduated with first-class honors in filmmaking from the University of South Wales. Known for exploring themes of womanhood, religion, time, and death, Leysha’s expertise and dedication are instrumental in bringing “Into the Symbiocene” to life.

Crowdfunding for a Cause

To realize their dream of performing in Stockholm, Terrafunk Theatre Collective has turned to the community for support. They aim to raise RM 35,000, which will cover flights, accommodation, food, and transport. The campaign offers five tiers of perks for contributors, ranging from social media shout-outs and names on a Thank You Poster to signed memorabilia, masterclasses with the award-winning set designer Liew Chee Heai, and a sneak peek of the performance.

Contribution Tiers:

• Tier 1 (RM 30 – 49): Names on the Thank You Poster and social media shout-out.
• Tier 2 (RM 50 – 149): All Tier 1 perks plus a link to the recording of the performance.
• Tier 3 (RM 150 – 299): All Tier 2 perks plus a signed poster and postcard from Stockholm.
• Tier 4 (RM 300 – 499): All Tier 3 perks plus a masterclass with set designer Liew Chee Heai.
• Tier 5 (RM 500+): All Tier 4 perks plus attendance at a sneak peek of the performance before departure.

Contributions can be made via bank transfer to Terrafunk Studio at Ambank account number 8881060537410, with “STOFF” as the reference. Proof of contribution should be emailed to [email protected].

By supporting this campaign, donors will not only help bring a piece of Malaysia to an international audience but also contribute to a conversation about sustainability and our collective future. Join Terrafunk Theatre Collective in their mission to inspire change through the power of theatre.