It’s International Women’s Day and March is Women’s History Month so it’s a good time to explore new horizons and take on challenges. I am so proud of what we’ve already achieved with The Glitter Project and we now need your help to fund and expand this into the future and ‘pay it forward’.
We launched The Glitter Project – A Safe Place last year to provide safe, inclusive and accessible places for women to explore their creativity, develop self-confidence and be inspired through comedy. Up until now this has largely been funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and some donations, for which we are very thankful. Now we need to ramp things up and this is where you come in!
Firstly, if you’re not fully in the know, please read about how it all began and the incredible woman who inspired us, Jo Fletcher-Cross. Together we’ve created an amazing legacy which Jo writes about in her article about paying it forrward with a bit of glitter.
INTRODUCING THE GLITTER CHALLENGE!
I’m looking for 10 brave and talented women who’ve always fancied trying out their mic-holding hand by performing stand-up comedy to raise funds for The Glitter Project. You need to be new to comedy but may already be a seasoned public speaker who is up for an exciting rollercoaster ride of a challenge!
I’ve been talking about this challenge for a while and a few of you have already expressed an interest so now I’m finally throwing down the gauntlet!
This may be the start of a whole new career as it was for Vix Leyton (read her story in the Metro) or simply a way of proving to yourself that you don’t actually ‘die on stage’!
We are offering 10 amazing challengers the opportunity to join us on very special and glittery comedy journey which will include:
- An exclusive comedy bootcamp with me and a some of my favourite experts to explore comedy ideas and kickstart the comedy process.
- Working with an assigned personal comedy mentor (professional comedian) to perfect your set.
- A live performance in a ‘work in progress’ (WIP) open mic show at a central London venue with constructive feedback.
- Introductions to perform at other comedy gigs for practice purposes.
- AND… the ultimate challenge: perform live in a comedy showcase at the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe this August.
Full details and price on application. It’s fully tax deductable and profits after we’ve covered all costs will go towards funding the next stage of The Glitter Project. Your fee will include all comedy coaching and mentoring, expert facilitators, venue hire and promotion – all you will have to do is cover your transport and accommodation in Edinburgh.
Female comedy has never looked so good, and a bit of Glitter has already gone a long way towards supporting so many amazing women over the last six months. We still need your help to continue funding this work and I don’t like asking for money without offering something tangible and wonderful in return.
I will be out and about over the next couple of weeks attending different events of our own and those of other organisations as we celebrate International Women’s Day and beyond.
Please say ‘hello’ and ask me more about The Glitter Challenge if you are interested or contact me by email if you would like to take part.
For us, everyday is International Women’s Day! Let’s make it a year-round party!
Quick Quiz: back in 2012 we celebrated our 10th Anniversary with a similar challenge event featuring 10 acts. Can you name the ‘nuns on the run’ double act chatting to our host Kate Garraway above? BTW if you take part, dressing up is optional!
