Support "Farewell My Fool"
I have a solo show coming up this summer and I need your money :)
Hello fools,
As you may know, I am on a solo artist journey and it involves clowning.
Yes. I chose one of the most masochistic and damn near narcissistic avenues a performer could take. If I had the mula I would make work on every single one of my friends and give them a liveable wage so they could thrive and shine. I don’t have that money so I chose to do solo work because… well… I have more shit to say that only I should say and it’s cheaper! The funny thing is that, while it’s cheaper it’s still not cheap. I keep looking at the budget I made wondering where my fee would fit in. Here’s a hint, it doesn’t *crowd goes awww* I’m working on that though!
Yes, JoyBoy da Clown. Somehow I convinced the team at Triskelion Arts that I should have a solo show and they gave me a residency, a show, marketing support and production support! I’m grateful… but I’m scared. I didn’t think I would get this kind of opportunity for another couple years.
So, I’m making a full evening length show! That means you will come to a theater and sit down (or stand and dance… hehe) to watch me perform for about an hour. It’s called “Farewell My Fool” and the world premiere is set for June 12-14, 2025 at Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn, NY. It interrogates the legacy of exploitation in the entertainment industry, the failures of ambition, respectability politics, and self-realization. I’m talking about the good ‘ole New York City artist hustle, ya know? But also the work it takes to get off that grind and thrive. There is clowning, physicality, dance, singing (?), and audience participation (exciting). This is so important like, my parents are coming… do you understand?! This has to be good.
But here is the thing, making a solo show does not mean that there are no collaborators or production fees involved in this process. Every show requires a team of other incredible artists to get it off the ground and I need your help in securing the funds to support them. My goal is to not just create a show for myself but to help facilitate a growing community of like-minded artists who can share their resources, skills, and talents with each other. I have a team of people that enthusiastically agreed to collaborate with me and give me their services for the sake of JoyBoy and this show. I need to pay them and you know how I feel about paying people. I’m doing my best trying to obtain grants but haven’t found much success that route.
So, with much encouragement, I’m turning to you all, my community, and made a GoFundMe to ask for $7,000 to go towards the fees of my collaborators and production costs.
Another way to support this project is by simply going to the show!
And listen, I know that this is a big ask right now. We are knee deep in a recession/The Great Depression 2.0, the price of living is too expensive, the arts are losing funds left and right, and we have a tyrant selling Teslas on the great lawn… I understand if this ask is not feasible for you. You can also support by sharing my posts on Instagram , TikTok, this newsletter, or by sending an encouraging text. It all means the world to me.
I hope to see you at the show (I'll dance so hard for you) or online as I fundraise and raise awareness for this project that is very dear to my heart.
I hope you are safe, well, and near loved ones at this time.
Love,
JoyBoy