What is THE MAGNUS EFFECT?
The Magnus Effect is a gutsy new theatre piece, written by Hannah Van Sciver and produced by The Greenfield Collective, premiering in Philadelphia this July. It tells the story of five unlikely strangers who come together with a common goal: overcoming their fear of flying. One part play, one part dance and one part airline jingle, The Magnus Effect is an exploration of how and why we've come to dread the world around us.
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Why you can feel especially AWESOME about this play:
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It features a diverse cast and production team of some of the finest emerging talent in Philadelphia.
- We are providing free tickets for student theatre makers through Philadelphia Young Playwrights.
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The Magnus Effect deals with mental health in an unconventional and nuanced way. We are reaching out to great organizations like HealthyMinds Philly, in order to make resources available to folks who might want to get involved with mental health in Philly, post-show.
- Each performance will have a pre-show act, featuring a local artist sharing original work centering on the theme of anxiety.
Production Staff
Playwright: Hannah Van Sciver
Director: David O'Connor
Assistant Director: Sarah Zerod
Lead Designer: Sara Outing
Music Composition: Sarah Van Sciver
Production Stage Manager: Stephanie Sintef
Development Intern: Rowan Hepps Keeney
Cast
Richard Chan
David Pica
Zoe Richards
Amanda Jill Robinson
Hannah Van Sciver
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What is THE GREENFIELD COLLECTIVE?
The Greenfield Collective is a Philadelphia-based company of courageous and fiercely original theatre artists, led by Hannah Van Sciver. We are storytellers, musicians, movers and shakers. Our work is gutsy, gritty, heartfelt, provocative, and distinctly human. We create unconventional theatre for non-traditional audiences, with a strong community engagement element.
Past productions include Fifty Days at Iliam (top-pick for Fringe: Phindie, Classicizing Philadelphia), Bicycle Face (top-pick for SolowFest: CityPaper, Phindie), and Marbles (top-pick for Fringe: Phindie).
WE ARE:
Joseph Ahmed
Elizabeth Audley
Richard Chan
Mal Cherifi
Amanda Jill Robinson
Sara Outing
Hannah Van Sciver
(Full bios: here.)
Where will the $$ go??
The Greenfield Collective is a young company of emerging artists. No matter how you cut it, making theatre costs money. Particularly when you're young. Particularly when you're emerging. Particularly when you're producing original work.
The money raised through this campaign will go towards covering:
-Performance Space Rental
-Stipends for Actors
-Stipends for Designers
-Sets! Lights! Sound! Props! Costumes!
-Marketing Costs & Outreach
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Other Ways You Can Help
- Share this campaign. (On facebook. Via email. Via Twitter.)
- Like us on facebook.
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Buy tickets to the show.
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Volunteer to help with load-in, strike, or front-of-house management. (No experience necessary.)
Many, many, many thanks, and boundless love.
-The Greenfield Collective