Namaste?
Not Flexible was written, created, and (in part) lived by Chicago-based comedian and yoga teacher, Kathryn Gongaware (me). I've taught yoga in "elite" studios, new studios, failing studios, private apartments, office towers, local parks, festival stages, Lululemon pop-ups, high-intensity gyms, healthcare clinics, beach resorts, and even at Cook County jail.
Yoga is a tricky thing. It probably saved my life. Maybe it's saved or impacted yours. Maybe you have no relationship with it whatsoever, but I'd be surprised if somebody in your life doesn't swear by it.
A 100 billion dollar industry
What was once a sacred, exclusively male, deeply religious practice is still spiritual to some, pure workout to others, cultural appropriation and green juice at the farmer’s market to many and extends well beyond handstands and downward dogs. And yoga is a $100 billion industry - with a 9% growth rate from 2024 to 2030, reaching over $200 billion by 2030.
So not only is modern yoga tricky, teaching it is... trickier. Is making a career of something so sacred worth it?
The Series
What I do know is that yoga brought me to comedy. So I brought comedy back to yoga.
Not Flexible is a love letter, and it's an honest one.
Our pilot is live 3/16
Sunday, March 16th 5pm CT is the local premiere and livestream from Chicago's Lincoln Lodge Theater. The pilot was independently funded by me and three other comedians/producers, because we believe in it. So did the actors starring in it. The director, sound, and crew all worked for less than they're worth. You can watch the first episode here.
It's good, but with slightly deeper pockets it could have been even better and bigger.
Our goal is make the full season
I wrote a full season.
Everyone in the pilot worked for less than they deserve. The studio spaces were donated. Every dollar contributed came out of a Chicago comedian's pocket. And while I invested more than anyone into this, as I should, I know some of you would legitimately like to get involved. So here’s your chance:
Our goal is $20K to finish the remaining five episodes of Season 1. This includes filming, sound, crew, cast, post, score, marketing, promotion and film festival entries.
The next funding milestone is a minimum $10k by April 16th to finish basic filming: $2.5k per episode to cover sound, crew, cast, and post.
We already have several ways you can help us get this done and bring more great yoga and comedy to the screen:
“First in” investors: minimum $5,000
"First in” investors will have the opportunity to have their names used as characters; an executive producer credit, and creative input (within reason; trust that we're the writers), as well as equity options to be discussed individually.
“Flexible" investors: minimum $2,000
"Flexible" investors will receive an episode producer credit, with equity options to be discussed individually.
"Producers": minimum $500
Produce an episode (partially, anyway). See your name in lights.
“I’m a fan and just want to contribute": minimum $25
See perks for your options! Episode credits, thank yous, standup tickets, etc.
We are so excited to bring you this first mini-episode.
I created this page to connect all of us to the opportunity for a great season. If you'd like to support in ways that aren't listed, or if you're interested with perks not provided, contact me. I’m flexible, as it turns out, willing to talk and to hear your ideas. This project is happening, and I'd love for you all to be a part of it.
