I’m looking to raise another $1500 (for a total budget of $5200, about average for a small production in NYC) to get to work on putting Tulpa, or Anne&Me or Encanta on stage when I move back to NYC.

If you have a little something extra, every little bit helps (even $10!). Even if you don’t, please reblog this for your followers and let them know why they should support this project.

I post a lot of meta and analysis here, but my real passion is writing and putting on plays. Everything I bring up here are things that come from or make their way into those plays, so if what I post here strikes a chord with you, it would mean a lot if you could help me do more of what I love to do.

It takes only a minute, and all you have to do is click on the link.

I really appreciate your support. Thank you.

Do you love comics, manga, graphic novels, and anime? Do you like to draw? Do you want more people to see your work? Do you want your art to become a key element in the visual style of an independent theatrical production?

Tulpa, or Anne&Me needs you!

As Tulpa gears up for the Fresh Fruit Festival, the director and I are really excited about the idea of creating a set inspired by [Name]’s love of comic books, manga, graphic novels, and anime. We want to do more than create a space where stuff happens. We want to make a visual representation of the main character’s rich inner life.

To do that, we need art that:

1. gives a visual representation of [Name]’s inner world;
2. showcases the style of Afrodyke, the serial comic that [Name] self-publishes on the internet; and/or
3. reflects the works that inspire and influence [Name] the most, including: Revolutionary Girl Utena, The Boondocks, The Sandman, Dykes to Watch Out For, and Inuyasha.

What will I do with your work when you contribute it?

The main thing is set construction. One of the ideas that we are toying with is creating huge panels (like a comic book) with art that represents what’s going on in the play or inside the main character. This is a really big step because this will determine how Tulpa, or Anne&Me will be staged in the future. Imagine your artwork being a key part of how people visualize this play!

The next thing is donor perks. When people make a donation to a fundraising campaign, they get a small perk in exchange for their contribution. This can be things like getting their name on the playbill, VIP seating, a personalized thank you note, etc. It all depends on how much they donate. This time around, I want to offer something cool and interesting to people who donate to Tulpa, or Anne&Me. What’s cooler or more interesting than original artwork that also says a lot about the main character?

What do you get in exchange for your contribution?

I really can’t offer you money up front. I’m relying on your generosity. I can’t give you financial compensation, but you will get full credit for your work if we use it in the play and say really nice things about you when asked about it. If you have a website, we’ll also link to it.

Do you have to make new art from scratch?

You don’t have to make anything from scratch just for Tulpa, or Anne&Me unless you really want to. Even things you work on in your spare time would be great, as long as it fits the world or characters of the play. You don’t need finished pieces. Your collection of works in progress, concept art, sketches, etc. are OK as long as they look good, fit the play, and can be seen well on a computer screen.

When do I need this?

I’m hoping to start the next fundraising campaign on April 15, so at least one piece around that time would be awesome of you.

How do you sign up?

Send me a message or shoot an e-mail to whoisyourtulpa[at]gmail[dot]com.

“But I can’t draw!”

That’s cool. You can still do a lot, such as following the main character on Twitter, reblogging this post, donating to Crossroads Theatre Project, or sharing this with someone you know who can draw.

notyourkinddear replied to your post: Top 10 things that don’t get said in “Tulpa, or Anne&Me”

but… but… but… Wanda Sykes *is* so funny! LOL

True, but there’s a time and a place to bring that up - such as in a conversation other than the one about the structural injustices leading up to the fallout of Katrina.

1. “I have Black friends.”
2. “Not to sound racist, but … “
3. “You speak so well!”
4. “Do you know [insert random Black person]?”
5. “Why do Black people … ?”
6. “OMG! I love Wanda Sykes! She’s so funny!”
7. “Have you read [insert Black feminist or womanist author]?”
8. “Gay is the new Black.”
9. “I’m 1/374th Cherokee. That’s practically like being Black.”
10. “I don’t think it’s fair that you can say [n-word] and I can’t.”

I wrote a play called TULPA, OR ANNE&ME that debuted at the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity in June 2011. I would like to do it again for 2012, and I’m putting together the team I want to work with.

Part whimsical fantasy, part social commentary, part gothic horror, TULPA, OR ANNE&ME tells the story of a withdrawn artist whose life gets turned upside down when Anne Hathaway crawls out of her television. With the help of her powerful imagination and two outspoken Guardian Angels of Blackness, she and Anne struggle to find a way to connect to one another. What unfolds is an intimate portrait of a relationship that asks us how race impacts what two people can truly be to each other.

This play needs a DIRECTOR who can …  

• apply anti-racist principles and practices to all aspects of production
• create an amazing theatrical experience with limited tech and budget
• work within the guidelines of the AEA Showcase code
• respect the playwright’s voice and vision
• collaborate with the playwright to select cast and crew
• schedule and attend all rehearsals
• maintain a healthy working environment

Although education and experience are definitely helpful, what matters most is your passion, vision, and commitment - and, of course, how easy you are to work with.

Because of the plays subject matter and my personal interest in giving opportunities to underrepresented theatre artists, LGBTQ people of color are strongly encouraged to reach out.

I am seeking to make my final selection by February 1. Please send all inquiries and supporting materials (if any) to: Shawn C. Harris (writer and producer) at whoisyourtulpa[at]gmail[dot]com.

eshusplayground:

Thank you so much for your support, everyone! Your contributions, Tweets, Tumblr posts, LiveJournal entries, and other forms of support has been phenomenal, and I am deeply touched by how much this project means to you.

If you’d like to donate but ran out of time, you still have a chance. Just click on this link to contribute directly via the Fractured Atlas website.

I look forward to sharing news and updates for Tulpa, or Anne&Me in 2012. For now, please enjoy the I Am Theatre video I made with Theatre Communications Group (TCG) by visiting the link and heading over to the Gallery tab.

Thank you so, so much.

Thank you so much for your support, everyone! Your contributions, Tweets, Tumblr posts, LiveJournal entries, and other forms of support has been phenomenal, and I am deeply touched by how much this project means to you.

If you’d like to donate but ran out of time, you still have a chance. Just click on this link to contribute directly via the Fractured Atlas website.

I look forward to sharing news and updates for Tulpa, or Anne&Me in 2012. For now, please enjoy the I Am Theatre video I made with Theatre Communications Group (TCG) by visiting the link and heading over to the Gallery tab.

Thank you so, so much.

eshusplayground:

On January 12 at 11:59pm, the IndieGoGo campaign for my play, Tulpa, or Anne&Me is ending. Although people have supported the project by contributing a total of $1,620, there is still $1,380 to go.

Let’s break this down mathematically. If only 138 people on Tumblr each donate just $10 TODAY, Tulpa, or Anne&Me will reach its fundraising goal.

With so many conversations going on about who gets to tell POC stories, the importance of things like “Shit White Girls Say … To Black Girls,” the release of George Lucas’ Red Tails, and otherwise being an ally supporting POC voices in arts and entertainment, your contribution sends a message that it matters to you that POC stories find their way on stage and screen, that it matters who tells these stories, that it matters who benefits from these stories, and that it matters who gets to witness these stories.

Tell the world that it matters to you. Take a couple of moments to say so now.

P.S. If you are sick and tired of first-person shooters starring square-jawed White dudes, you should check out and support the Arkh Project too.

On January 12 at 11:59pm, the IndieGoGo campaign for my play, Tulpa, or Anne&Me is ending. Although people have supported the project by contributing a total of about $1,500, there is still $1,500 to go.

Let’s break this down mathematically. If only 150 people on Tumblr each donate just $10 TODAY, Tulpa, or Anne&Me will reach its fundraising goal.

With so many conversations going on about who gets to tell POC stories, the importance of things like “Shit White Girls Say … To Black Girls,” the release of George Lucas’ Red Tails, and otherwise being an ally supporting POC voices in arts and entertainment, your contribution sends a message that it matters to you that POC stories find their way on stage and screen, that it matters who tells these stories, that it matters who benefits from these stories, and that it matters who gets to witness these stories.

Tell the world that it matters to you. Take a couple of moments to say so now.

P.S. If you are sick and tired of first-person shooters starring square-jawed White dudes, you should check out and support the Arkh Project too.

If you want complex, nuanced, non-stereotypical roles for women, people of color, and LGBTQ people, please help my play raise $3,000 for a production in April 2012. So far, it’s gotten $920. Let’s see if we can reach at least $1,500 by January 12.

The 2012 production of Tulpa, or Anne&Me is still trying to raise $3,000 for a production in April. So far, people have contributed a total of $700. This means that Tulpa still needs $2,300 to meet its fundraising goal. Without your support, this cannot happen. But it’s not too late! If you can contribute something, anything to this project between now and the January 12 deadline, please do so ASAP. All you have to do is click on this link to make a secure online donation.

And, as a token of my appreciation, if you make a contribution (of ANY amount) between now and January 1, you’ll get a little something special from me via e-mail.

(ETA: Link added, fixed typo)

Follow @Afrodyke on Twitter to see what I mean.

BTW, the IndieGoGo campaign for Tulpa, or Anne&Me has raised almost $400! If you haven’t yet, please take a minute and click on this link to contribute. Every little bit makes a real difference in getting story by and about queer Black women on stage.

Currently arguing about:

• Is “Anne’s” request for Skyrim is really “Anne’s”?
• Is @Afrodyke going to get a mouth for Christmas, or does she secretly like the fact that she’s a disembodied virtual presence?
• How much can I borrow from Paranormal Activity to make the main character’s life a living hell?
• Why isn’t “Anne” saying anything?