About Kate Tombaugh and "It Just Takes One"
Hi, my name is Kate Tombaugh! Thanks for visiting my campaign page to raise funds for "It Just Takes One," a one-woman musical revue with my original script set to the tunes of Rossini, Mozart, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Stephen Schwartz, and so many more!
After 2 workshops, and a 6-show premiere in Bloomington, IL in 2013, I've revised the script and layout, have my own traveling set and costumes, and am now ready to take the show on the road!
This show is very near and dear to my heart; I wrote the script based on my personal experiences starting a career singing opera, all the while learning to find myself and figuring out the world of dating in between. With a strong background in music and outreach, I have witnessed the ability to really make a difference with music through intimate and heartfelt performances. I'm honored to share a small slice of my own story partnered with gorgeous musical selections spanning the eras.
Your donation today will help make "It Just Takes One" a first-rate production, from the traveling set to the costumes and lighting and sound, and will ensure future productions of this charming and at-times-poignant show. Additionally, funding will help me benefit the communities I visit. In Cincinnati, I will be donating 10% of all profits raised to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Charitable Care Fund; I will meet with highschool and college-aged students in both Streator, IL and Cincinnati, OH who are interested in learning more about pursuing a career in music.
Truly, any donation, great or small, will make a difference! Thank you for your support.
Breakdown of funding
I have really worked to make "It Just Takes One" a fully-sustainable show, while keeping costs at the lowest overhead possible.
Here is the breakdown of expenses associated with the show:
FLAT RATE COSTS:
Cost of Set: $900
5 flats, 4 platforms, 10 blocks, 1 set bed; I was only charged for the building materials. Additionally, I have a secondary light-weight set-up for homes and very small venues made of PVC piping and curtains. This cost includes those materials, plus the paint, canvas, hinges, glue, and lumber for the large set.
Commissioned Work: $200
I have commissioned living composer, Ann Jacobs, to write an original composition to be used for the finale bow music.
Custom-made Traveling Trailer: $4,500
This trailer is custom-built to haul the show's set and accessories, featuring a fully-functional, streamlined and water-tight design. The above cost includes building materials, brake lights, license plate, and a portion of the labor costs to build the trailer. (Remaining costs for labor was donated by Larry Tombaugh. See "In Kind Donations" below).
Costumes: $300
I was able to keep costs down by using mostly my own existing performance wardrobe for costumes for the show. However, with the help of the very talented costume designer Brianna Fristoe, I will have several "adapted" pieces to better facilitate quick costume changes and a few pieces that have been "upgraded" for the stage.
Theatrical Body Microphone: $322
This E6i Omnidirectional Headworn Microphone Earset allows me hands-free movement while onstage, and expedites all those quick changes behind stage-once it's set in place, no fussing or fidgeting needed. The version is adaptable to hook up to the various sound systems available at the venues.
Sound Recording Costs :
$750
CD Production Costs: $800
We will be making a CD recording of "It Just Takes One" for promotional purposes and for future sales. Additionally, donors giving $500 and more will automatically receive an autographed CD. The CDs will be professionally duplicated and manufactured and available for sale.
Lighting: $600
I purchased a pack of stage lighting equipment that includes 8 PAR 38 cans, a dimmer system, stage setter controller, 2 cables, 2 dimmers, 4 colored gels, and a truss-style lighting stand that can stand alone or connect for professional and very stable mounting. This set allows flexibility for growth and more in-depth lighting as we continue producing in the future.
ROLLING COSTS (these costs will recur for each additional show; below are the total sums for the shows in Streator, IL and Cincinnati, OH):
Licensing costs: $130-$150 per show
13 of my 26 musical compositions and excerpts require per song per show licensing fees. Many of these licensing fees are supporting living composers. The remaining 13 pieces are public domain.
Pianist Fees: $1100
I have found two extremely talented pianists in Nancy Pounds (IL) and Stephen Variames (OH) who are adept in all the musical styles and terrific collaborators. This cost includes their sum engagement fees, plus all the rehearsal expenses while preparing for the two state openings.
Sound Technician Fees: TBD
Lighting Technician Fees: TBD
Advertising Costs: $600
This includes the fees for: hiring a graphic designer to custom create all the promotional materials for both the Streator and Cincinnati shows, the printing costs for posters, handouts, and postcards, mailing costs, and fees for advertising in the local newspapers.
FUTURE "WISH LIST" COSTS:
*Ellipsoidal Spotlight to be added to lighting setup ($200-$400)
*LED Lightbulbs for 8 Par Cans (more sustainable and long-lasting) ($22x10=$220)
*Lawyer fees for assistance with creating non-profit 501-c3 status ($1,500)
* Fees for filing and establishing a non-profit with the US government ($400-$600)
* For now, I will be borrowing a truck or hauling the show trailer, set pieces, and lighting equipment behind my 2004 Honda Accord. In the future, I hope to own a reliable truck or van with good hauling power for these performances of "It Just Takes One" and other future productions. ($8-$15,000+)
IN-KIND DONATIONS:
Choreography:
Jill Marconi donated her time and talents to create and teach me a tap dance segment for one of the pieces in my show.
(worth $150)
Set-Building:
Larry Burash designed a terrific set and built it from scratch, only charging me for the materials needed for building. Many hours of planning and labor were donated for this project.
(worth $600+)
Storyline Editing:
Kathy Tombaugh donated 20+ hours in editing this show, and a lot of patience was donated in the process.
(worth $600+)
Set Trailer:
Larry Tombaugh donated a portion of the labor to build the show's set trailer.
(worth $2,000)
"It Just Takes One" Theme Song:
Living composer Steven Weimer wrote an original composition for the "It Just Takes One" theme song.
(worth $200)
Promotional Materials:
Mary Wargo at Commercial Fast Print discounted for promotional materials.
Housing:
Many thanks to Ann Ellison and Drew and Lindsey Dolan for free housing during the Cincinnati stints for rehearsals and performances.
Lighting and Sound Mentors:
Many thanks to Kregg Barney, Michael Hughes, Larry Burash, Rick Arkels, Alexandra Pontone, and Ian Garrett for so generously sharing their knowledge and recommendations for lighting and sound to ensure I purchased the best possible systems for my goals, while helping me save money.
Family and Friends:
Endless amounts of in-kind donations were gifted me by my very supportive family and friends.
Your impact
I sing because I want to make a difference, I like helping people, and I hope to entertain, reach, and inspire audience members. In creating "It Just Takes One," I'm hoping to do just that and I believe the show will serve a great purpose and benefit the communities I visit.
The risks & challenges of "It Just Takes One"
In a one-person operation, one of the greatest challenges is finding future venues and getting the word out about this great show.
I aim to visit college campuses and performing arts high schools with "It Just Takes One" as a joint residency with the university's school of music. In residency, I would offer Q&A sessions, master classes, and presentations about a career in music, tailored to each individual school's needs. Through these offerings, I hope to present options and help students brainstorm more ways to create viable and rewarding music careers.
I'm also interested in bringing "It Just Takes One" to various communities and theaters!
If you have any suggestions, or would like to see the show come to your area, please email Kate directly at: kate@katetombaugh.com
