MOTHERMORPHOSIS By debase productions Presenter Pack arTour... · Mothermorphosis: debase...

Mothermorphosis: debase productions of 16

MOTHERMORPHOSIS By debase productions

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Contents COMPANY PROFILE ....................................................................................... 3ABOUT THE SHOW/ CONTACTS .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.MARKETING .................................................................................................... 4 AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT…………………………………………………..........7 TECHNICAL/ PRODUCTION DETAILS .......................................................... 15


COMPANY PROFILE deBASE is committed to the creation of new work that enact social change through comic performance and believe comedy empowers audiences to reflect and critique vital issues . Working in Brisbane and Melbourne; touring nationally and internationally, debase produces a wide range of work for a wide range of audiences; from children’s theatre, to comic drama, to cabaret. For debase, the relationship with our audience is paramount – this is reflected in the way we create and program work with and for specific audiences.

debase employs a highly physical and collaborative approach to developing new work which is strongly influenced by the teaching of Philippe Gaulier and his philosophy that successful performance begins with a sense of play. Working with a vision to enact social change through comic performance, we believe comedy empowers audiences to reflect and critique vital issues.

www.debase.com.au


PRODUCER/ARTIST CONTACT Producer Contact: Bridget Boyle Email: [email protected] Phone: 0405 642 690 BASIC SHOW INFORMATION Project Title: Mothermorphosis Running Time: 70 mins Interval: none Key Themes: Celebrating motherhood in all its beauty and ugliness: from natural births to life saving c- sections, from healthy babies to sick ones and from the joy of life to the heartache of loss. Suggested Age Range: Mothers 25- 65 Warnings: Nudity Short Marketing Copy (150 – 200 words) The artist formerly known as Liz Skitch, now known to all as ‘mother of two’, has teamed up with trail- blazing theater maker Maude Davey, to create a ground -breaking one- woman show exploring the changes and surprises that one encounters on entering Motherhood. MOTHERMORPHOSIS premiered at La Mama in 2018, played to sold out houses and received critical acclaim:

‘I know what you are thinking, “ANOTHER comedy piece on the struggles of Motherhood’, but this is very different. Mothermorphosis not only gives us the funny and ridiculous to motherhood but at the same time keeps intact the achingly human realisation’ – David Gardette, Theatre People ****

Inspired by Kafka’s Metamorphosis, Skitch unpacks the taboos and challenges of transforming from a woman, into a mother. Comedic, dynamic and honest, Mothermorphosis combines intimate confessional and absurdist physical theatre with an exquisite soundscape designed by Chris Wenn which features the voices of mothers who share a wide variety of lived experiences. Utilising Skitch’s extensive experience as a clown, satirist, comedic writer and actor, the pastiche of performance styles serves to explore the inexplicable. And yes there IS a live chicken in the show, hypno-birthing and nudity. This is Motherhood, laid bare. Long Marketing Copy (300 – 500 words) MOTHERMORPHOSIS (noun) A change in form or nature of a thing or


person into a completely different one. Performed by award winning comedian Liz Skitch, this is a show for mums, dads and anyone who has ever wondered what their mother was like before she became ‘mum’. The artist formerly known as Liz Skitch, now known to all as ‘mother of two’, has teamed up with trail- blazing theater maker Maude Davey, to create a ground -breaking one- woman show exploring the changes and surprises that one encounters on entering Motherhood. MOTHERMORPHOSIS premiered at La Mama in 2018, played to sold out houses and received critical acclaim:

‘Skitch has a serious imagination for the ridiculous and has the skill to pull off a range of styles from narrative comedy to slapstick. Her seamless celebration of the pleasures and pains of motherhood rides high on left-field, impish humour, delivered with a sharpness and presence that will leave you helpless with laughter.’ - Cameron Woodhead, The Age ****

Skitch began work on creating Mothermorphosis in 2016 utilising her heavily pregnant form. At the time, she was reading Kafka’s Metamorphosis and related to the main character, Gregor, who wakes up one day in the body of huge and cumbersome cockroach. Sporting an oversized fish head, nursing giant pumpkins and flower arranging whilst lecturing on Doctor Spock, Skitch revels in the art of juxtaposition and theatre of the absurd to explore the physical and emotional changes that mothers encounter and how we cope… or how we don’t cope. With two children under the age of 4, Skitch acknowledges that she is a newcomer to the world of motherhood; and knew from the outset that whilst the show was an opportunity for the therapeutic act of intimate confessional, it needed to be much more than that. From there the interviews began and the artist has recorded the voices and stories of mothers (from new mums to grandmothers) and in the production, these are artfully brought together by sound designer Chris Wenn to form a multilayered sound scape. Recordings of Liz’s home life have also contributed to the sound design from the never ending task of convincing her enchanting three year old Molly that it is time to go to sleep to the ear drum bursting screams and delightfully addictive giggles of baby Fonzie. Mothermorphosis is designed to celebrate motherhood in all its beauty and ugliness. And through the voices of the mothers who have contributed to the production, it shares a wide variety of lived experiences from natural births to life saving c- sections, from healthy babies to sick ones and from the joy of life to the heartache of loss. And yes there IS a live chicken in the show, fresh vegemite sandwiches, participatory hypno-birthing, full nudity and piping hot pumpkin soup. This is Motherhood, laid bare.


SNAP FACTS 1. Liz Skitch is a much loved comedian and audiences can be guaranteed a laugh! She has performed in many comedy festivals and audiences can enjoy links to her comedy work (on you tube) in the lead up to the visit. 2. Kids- Babes in arms are welcome! Let audiences know that Liz is a mother of two and only too well understands that it is hard to afford or find childcare. Relaxed performances can be scheduled where children are welcome. 3. There IS a live chook on stage, in a cot - the whole show! (Publicity Pack features clips of ‘chook auditions’ + vote for your favourite)… This chook can be sourced locally- another great story to share. 4. The promo pic was taken in 2017 when Liz was pregnant with Fonzie (who is now 2). The angel is 2 yr old Molly (now 4), held by husband Don. The figure on the right side of the poster is Director Maude Davey- who might have visited the town in ‘My Life in The Nude’ or ‘Burlesque Hour’ 5. Dads- Blokes will not feel left out! There is plenty of comic relief for the Dads

6. One reviewer said this about the show: ‘I know what you are thinking, “ANOTHER comedy piece on the struggles of Motherhood’, but this is very different. Mothermorphosis not only gives us the funny and ridiculous to motherhood but at the same time keeps intact the achingly human realisation’ – David Gardette, Theatre People ****

7. The show features an amazing soundtrack with the voices of mothers who share a wide variety of lived experiences- from the funny and joyful to the challenging and heartbreaking.

8. A highlight of the show is Liz’s ‘hypnobirthing parody sketch’. Venues will be provided with a link to footage of this- which is a fun clip to share in the lead up to Liz’s visit.

9. This show has everything! Liz is in ‘super mum mode’ from the start till the end of the piece. Making vegemite sandwiches for the audience, whipping up a batch of pumpkin soup and offering cups to the audience and even creating a gorgeous flower arrangement which will be left at the venue post show.

TARGET AUDIENCE


Audience Segments

Ideas on how to activate them

New Mums

Mothermorphosis is an opportunity for new mums to get out of the house and get some therapeutic comic relief. Being a new mum is like living in a pressure cooker. Mothermorphosis provides a much needed satire of modern mothers pursuit of perfection. The show also provokes much needed conversations about topics that we shy away from… depression, loss of identity, relationship challenges, miscarriage. Hence the show is best staged in an environment where there is opportunity for audience to relax after the show and chat over a cup of tea.

Local Creatives/ members of amateur theatre group

Mothermorphosis is an excellent professional development opportunity for local artists. Promote ‘A Masterclass in comic writing’ or ‘Performing Physical Comedy’ with Liz Skitch followed by the moved reading of the show. Creating a one person show is a really empowering experience for any artist. Local creatives can be encouraged to attend the show so that they can see an example of an artist who has created a show out of her lived experience.

Mums & Dads (Couples)

Mothermorphosis is a really good outing for Mums & Dads, which could be combined with a meal deal with a local café for a post show snack. Raising children can place a lot of pressures on your relationship and couples rarely take the time needed to step back and understand how traumatic the early stages of being a parent truly were. Blokes will not feel left out of Mothermorhposis- a moved reading. There is plenty of comic relief in the show for the Dads, Liz even makes a live phone call to her partner during the production to check up on how the kids are… AND performs a piece of erotic poetry dedicated to her husband on the theme of hanging out the washing.

Grandmothers

The soundtrack features interviews with new mums, older mums AND Grandmothers. The intergenerational aspect of the show is a great selling point for Grandmothers. Grandmothers would enjoy a post show cup of tea together with an artist Q & A. The show could be well timed with International Women’s Day and combined with fundraising for a Women’s cause and a speech/ introduction from an inspirational local mother or grandmother.

Working Mums Mothermorphosis provides timely commentary on the stripping

away of one’s individual identity that women experience when they give up their careers to become a mother. Working mums are very time poor and need a break (a good excuse to leave the kids


at home with Dad or to get a babysitter) so the show would be best sold as a ‘ladies night out’ and combined with a bottle of wine while they enjoy the showing in a relaxed and informal environment. This package would be well timed with Mother’s Day.

Access: On the note of access- it is important that the opportunity to connect with ‘Mothermorphosis’ is made accessible to mothers who might not have childcare. For this reason, venues are encouraged to program relaxed/ accessible performances. BIOGRAPHIES Liz Skitch- Performer/ Writer

New works Liz has created with deBASE include: Mothermorphosis (Writer/ Performer: La Mama Theatre 2018), Spoilt (Writer/ Performer: Artour Qld Tour 2015, Melbourne Comedy Festival 2014, Brisbane Powerhouse, Knox CAC, Doncaster Playhouse 2014, La Mama 2013), Skitch Tease (Writer/ Performer: Artour Qld Tour 2013, Edinburgh Fringe 2011, Glastonbury Festival 2011, Adelaide Fringe 2010/ 2011, Melbourne Comedy 2011, Brisbane Powerhouse 2011), Chasing the Lollyman (Co- Devisor/ Director: Playing Australia Tour 2012, Hothouse Theatre 2011, La Mama 2010), Hurry Up and Wait (Co-writer/ Performer: Awesome International Arts Festival Perth 2016, Brisbane Festival 2014, Japan Tour Kyushu with Kazenoko Theatre Company 2012, Kijimuna Festival 2012, Edinburgh Fringe 2011, Qld Theatre Company 2010), Lily Can’t Sleep (Co-writer/ Performer: Perth Awesome International Arts Festival 2014, Brisbane Festival 2013, Act 3 International Singapore and Kuala Lumpur 2007, Vic Arts Centre 2007, Qld Arts Council 2007, Qld Theatre Company/ Out of the Box Festival 2006), Popping Lead Balloons (Co- Writer/ Performer: Regional Arts Vic Tour 2011, Artour Qld 2011, Qld Arts Council Tour 2009) and The Clown from Snowy River (Co- Writer/ Director/ Performer- Qld Arts Council Tour 2006, Regional Arts Vic Tour 2009 and Published by Playlab Press). In 2012, Liz moved to Victoria and established herself as a Melbourne based independent artist, continuing her work as a director/ devisor, performer and producer. She worked as director of the NICA Sparks Youth Clown Troupe (2013- 2015) and in 2016 established the Melbourne Community Clown Troupe.


Liz also works as a comedian and variety performer and produces and MC’s the a monthly comedy cabaret called The Moulin Beige- which showcases the extraordinary and experimental (2012- present). Liz has worked extensively as an actor for Qld Theatre Company and also performed in the national tour of ‘The Alchemist’ for The Bell Shakespeare Company throughout 2008. Liz has been a proud member of MEAA since 2002. Liz’s proudest new works are Molly (born 4th March, 2015) and Fonzie (born 28th Feb, 2017)- both co- producitons produced with Donald Stewart. www.lizskitch.com.au

Maude Davey – Director

Maude trained as an actor at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and has worked as an actor, director and writer for more than twenty-five years, with her primary focus being the creation of new work. She was a core member of The Burlesque Hour/Glory Box ensemble for Finucane & Smith from 2004 until 2013, when she ‘retired’ her Burlesque acts with her acclaimed autobiographical retrospective, My Life In the Nude (nominated for a Green Room Award: Best Actor). Recent directing work includes: FISH! for the Rollercoaster Ensemble (2017) Oh! What a Lovely War by Nick Enright after Joan Littlewood, for VCA Music Theatre (2016); My Life in Boxes, Gravity Dolls, a physical theatre/circus show (2014/15/16); I am not a Unicorn, by Emma J Hawkins (2015/16) and plus sign attached, a collaboration between VCA School of Drama and Living Positive (2014). She has appeared regularly on stage, TV and film and teaches Acting and Performance Making at VCA and La Trobe Universities.

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE Debase Productions presents

Mothermorphosis

They say that in show business you should never work with children or animals but this is not a rule that mother and comedian, Liz Skitch has ever followed. An artist not shy of risk taking, her body of work includes breastfeeding her bouncing bub in character on stage and sketches mocking ‘Mumma Bubba’ work outs on You Tube and her latest show Mothermorphosis, features a show stealing performance by a live chicken in


a cot! Teaming up with trail blazing theatre maker Maude Davies as director, Skitch began work on creating Mothermorphosis in 2016 utilising her heavily pregnant form. At the time, she was reading Kafka’s Metamorphosis and related to the main character, Gregor, who wakes up one day in the body of huge and cumbersome cockroach. Incorporating an oversized fish head, nursing giant pumpkins and flower arranging whilst lecturing on Doctor Spock the production revels in the art of juxtaposition and theatre of the absurd to explore the physical and emotional changes that mothers encounter and how we cope… or how we don’t cope. With two children under the age of 4, Skitch acknowledges that she is a newcomer to the world of motherhood; and knew from the outset that whilst the show was an opportunity for the therapeutic act of intimate confessional, it needed to be much more than that. From there the interviews began and the artist has recorded the voices and stories of mothers (from new mums to grandmothers) and in the production, these are artfully brought together by sound designer Chris Wenn to form a multilayered sound scape. Recordings of Liz’s home life have also contributed to the sound design from the never ending task of convincing her enchanting three year old Molly that it is time to go to sleep to the ear drum bursting screams and delightfully addictive giggles of baby Fonzie. Mothermorphosis is designed to celebrate motherhood in all its beauty and ugliness. And through the voices of the mothers who have contributed to the production, it shares a wide variety of lived experiences from natural births to life saving c- sections, from healthy babies to sick ones and from the joy of life to the heartache of loss. And yes there IS a live chicken in the show, and nudity and hypno-birthing. This is Motherhood, laid bare. Mothermorphosis will be presented by xxxx theatre, which will be followed by a post show forum and community engagement activities across the weekend. For further information call:

- END- REVIEWS AND PRESS Press quotes:

‘Skitch takes aim at motherhood issues through anarchic comedy – a wickedly clever blend of knowing satire, surreal physical humour, clowning and burlesque, all honed into a beautifully flowing performance by director Maude Davey.’- Cameron Woodhead, The Age, ****

https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/theatre/absurdities-of-motherhood-laid-bare-in-hilarious-romp-20180823-p4zzb4.html


‘How often do you see a show which makes you want to give a standing ovation every 5 minutes because of the absolute genius on display?’ - Samsara Dunstan, What Did She Think ***** http://www.whatdidshethink.com/2018/08/mothermorphosis-theatre-review.html ‘I know what you are thinking, “ANOTHER comedy piece on the struggles of Motherhood’, but this is very different. Mothermorphosis not only gives us the funny and ridiculous to motherhood but at the same time keeps intact the achingly human realisation.- David Gardette, Theatre People **** http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/mothermorphosis/ ‘This show is a comical journey into the trials and tribulations of motherhood. A hotch-potch of zany events begins with the sharing of vegemite sandwiches, followed by a hilarious snippet of sketch comedy, involving a real chook handled with extreme care and verbal delight.’- Flora Georgiou, Stage Whispers

http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/mothermorphosis

Promo Video: YouTube include a link to a promo video hosted on YouTube

https://youtu.be/tq2tU6mSBxs (I min Trailer)

Vimeo include a link to a promo video hosted on Vimeo

https://vimeo.com/312513171 (1 min trailer)

Download link include a link to a downloadable video file

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bgc6etb8e1mob30/Mothermorphosis%20Trailer%201min.mp4.mp4?dl=0 (I min trailer)

Show reel video: YouTube include a link to a promo

https://youtu.be/9bwEQUEUDmI (3 min Showreel)


video hosted on YouTube


https://vimeo.com/312515475 (3 min Showreel)


https://www.dropbox.com/s/5duxsm2s1d1zk24/Trailer%203%20min%20Mothermorphosis.mp4?dl=0 (3 min Showreel)

Additional links: YouTube include a link to a promo video hosted on YouTube

Mumma Bump Workout parody clip 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdhDUJWflQc&t=13s Mumma Bubba Workshop parody clip 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaemmltaYC4&t=6s


Mother Movement Piece Development on rehearsal room floor https://vimeo.com/261430028


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/reucbh9ezp9ud6n/AAA0oqvGyUZ0XdvZtzndkZR6a?dl=0 Chook Audition Clips x 4 and ‘Vote for your fave chook’ image

LOGOS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (REQUIRED ON ALL PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS) . Debase Productions

Link to high res debase logo

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kbx11zq72cwdd2y/debase_Logo_Black%20.jpg?dl=0

POSTER AND FLYER ARTWORK A3 Poster

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xrujrxwie9ehbwb/MM%20front%20postcard%201.7MB%20copy.pdf?dl=0


(NB- this is the La Mama version of the poster) DL Flyer

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0v65c4lfldx4um0/MM_poster_A3_2%20copy.pdf?dl=0 (NB- this is the La Mama version of the flyer.)

SOCIAL MEDIA List your social media address links. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/liz_skitch/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lizskitch/

https://www.facebook.com/debase.tc/ Website- Liz Skitch www.lizskitch.com Website- debase productions

www.debase.com.au

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES PER WEEK 7 performances MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN PERFORMANCES 90 minutes PERFORMANCE HISTORY Year Venue Number of

performances 2018 La Mama 8

PRODUCTION DETAILS


TECHNICAL SUMMARY Staging: Minimum 7 x 6 m stage space Can bump in and perform that night Crew: Stage Manager travels with show and operates LX and SFX 1 x Venue tech required for bump in/ out LIGHTING

MOTHERMORPHOSIS LX TECH RIDER

The production is designed to work with 2 dimmer racks, but a console that

can accommodate 24 Channels of conventional fixtures as well as several

Channels of LED fixtures is required.

Below are the touring LX requirements for Mothermorphosis:

- warm wash, separatable into 3 sections across the stage (OP, CS and P)

and Upstage and Downstage

- cool flown sidelight

- low cool sidelight

- LED backlight (preferably LEDpars)

- 10 assorted specials

Independent control of houselights at operator position is required. If this is

unavailable, extra fixtures should be rigged to make this possible – 2 x 500w

Floods should suffice, depending on the size of the venue.

The production will tour with a number of practical fixtures - some desk

lamps that are used as footlights, a standard lamp, and a hanging pendant

lamp.

A generic touring LX design will be made available to venues prior to arrival.

Presenter is to have pre-rigged and coloured all fixtures. Presenter is to

supply colour.


SOUND Technical Specifications - Sound Project Title mothermorphosis by Liz Skitch Director Maude Davey Stage Manager TBA Sound Designer Chris Wenn Presenter TBA Version 1.0 Date 18/01/2019 Equipment Count Item Notes 1 Apple MacBook Pro laptop

computer - QLab 4 installed - Headphone jack only - Can be supplied by

designer 1 6-channel audio mixing

console (Yamaha MG06X or equivalent)

- Venue stock or standard rig

2 PA speakers (RCF ART315 or equivalent)

- Stereo configuration - Venue stock or

standard rig 1 15” (minimum) subwoofer

speaker (RCF SUB 705-AS or equivalent)

- Venue stock or standard rig

- Optional Cabling Count Item Notes 1 3.5mm stereo (headphone)

jack to 2x6.5mm mono jack, 1.5m

- Laptop to mixer - Can be supplied by

designer 3 XLR(m)-XLR(f), 20m - Mixer to PA system &

subwoofer - Length is indicative only - Venue stock or

standard rig Mixer Input Patch List Channel Input Notes ST1&2 Mac Output L Pan hard R


Mac Output R Pan hard L Mixer Output Patch List Channel Patch to Notes

1 FOH L 2 FOH R

System Notes

- The sound design for mothermorphosis has been developed to be as simple as possible, to allow for easy bump-in, bump-out, and tech time by an operator who may be unfamiliar with the show.

- The minimum basic requirement for any presenter is a stereo PA system with the capacity to take input from a laptop headphone output.

MOTHERMORPHOSIS By debase productions Presenter Pack arTour... · Mothermorphosis: debase...

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