Short Summary

I'm Gerry Potter, a professional theatre and film director and university teacher, and I'm one of the co-founders of Rising Sun Theatre. We're an Edmonton non-profit, running since 2004. We create original plays written and performed by adults with developmental or cognitive disabilities with the support and guidance of professional theatre artists.

We're raising money for our next show, TOGETHER APART, in which members tell their stories of pandemic life: both the challenges of isolation and the crucial connections we can make with family, friends, support workers, fellow artists and audiences. We're running this campaign because our two main grant support programs were cancelled--probably forever-- last year. With your help, we can still mount this year's show  on Zoom and you will be able to see it anywhere in the world with internet access.

By making theatre, our members develop both life and artistic skills in areas such as communication, self-discipline, teamwork, physical co-ordination, co-operation, creativity, empathy as well as self-confidence and performance skills, And when we perform we break down barriers and dispel fears and stereotypes by connecting with audiences on a human level. Most of all we create joy, understanding and laughter--and you can help!

We need at least $1700 this spring to help us pay for our professional artist-facilitators, to give small honoraria to our members with disabilities and to help pay for videoconferencing and a tech helper. Most of our members have underlying health challenges so we'll be performing this May on Zoom, but we hope to be back doing live performances next year. You can sponsor an actor, a producer, our director or assistant director, videoconferencing fees or technical help and be publicly thanked on live and recorded video--if you wish-- for your support.

As we grapple with grant program cuts and pandemic challenges, we're finding ways to build organizational strength and community support. We're developing a strategic plan, expanding our board and our support team and continuing to improve our team's skills in creating theatre. You may be surprised at how moving, funny, imaginative and well-crafted our shows can be!

Please help sponsor us and please spread the word on our Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign!