I Need Help!

So, I wrote my first blog on this website 10 days ago. If you havn't read the first one; DON'T WORRY! They are so drastically different that you're actually better off holding off because of how quickly things can turn in 10 days. But here we are rounding out the start of 'Late January' where suddenly you definitely can't be saying happy new years to people. Get over yourself, the holidays are well and truly over. Now it's just dark, and busy, and cold... oh so cold (The temperature outside while I type this is -14c/7f degrees). But hey! Then it's February.. The shortest month of the year, making monthly rent pretty awful. However, after that we enter March.

What I've learned about March is Chicago, weather wise it's pretty similar to peak Summer in Ireland. It's also the month of St. Patricks day (NEVER say Patty's day...Never). Its ALSO The month of my show. Grizel: Ireland's Pig-Faced lady. Ah Grizel... It's been a Journey. A 20 minute play I created based and steeped in TRUE History. After my MA I got funding from my local county council in Ireland (especially, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown arts council) to develop it into a full show, However- Covid hit. So it became a zoom reading live-streamed of a full-length Grizel play on Youtube (I still have this version available to watch if anyone is interested reach out!). This is a play I am putting on in March. But what exactly is Grizel?

Grizel: Ireland’s Pig-Faced Lady is an absurd, time-bending dark comedy that reclaims the real history of Grizel Steevens, an 18th-century Dublin woman whose generosity helped found Ireland’s first volunteer-based hospital—but whose legacy was overshadowed by the misogynistic rumour that she had the face of a pig.

The play unfolds across shifting eras and theatrical styles, with an ensemble moving through certain periods of history- Through their stories, the audience watches the the absurdity of the rumour while also learning about genuine history.Infact, did you know freak shows would shave, drug and dress up bears telling audiences it was a pig faced lady. The play is filled with more true historic facts that you would expect by something that sounds so bizzare.

Ultimately, Grizel is a play about rumours, misogyny, and the stories societies tell about women—and how those stories survive longer than the truth. But really. Grizel Steevens was a wonderful woman that history has forgotten. I want to honour her. No one I've met from Ireland has heard of this story. When I presented it as part of my college thesis (How can I tell a story of the past for a post modern) the only people that had heard the story were non-Irish folx here from abroad- and they all heard it on the Dublin Hop On Hop Off Tour.

I started rehearsals on Sunday. A couple of weeks ago I lost my producer. Rehearsals went well mind you! But than Monday morning I two of my actors needed it leave the production, including our Grizel. So basically... This is why I'm here, this is why you're reading I NEED HELP (heywaitaminute! That's the title of this blog post). And heres the thing.... my boyfriend, who I live with, who I thought things were going great with, breaks up with me outta nowhere... On Saturday night. That's all I'll say about that, but let's say, it's been a hectic time emotionally and I'm trying my hardest to remain level headed and to love myself. Which I always knew you should? But somehow never actually managing it until now.. And it hurts, it hurts. Right now I need to focus on Grizel.

Going into rehearsals today with only 2 hour notice that 2/5th of your cast have left. Was rough. This is after already losing a producer only 2 weeks ago and after already invested a good bit of my own money into. Oh! Don't forget i'm in the midst of a post breakup heartache! But, I powered through, I was transparent with my cast and fabulous with my Stage Manager Mo. I thought I would end rehearsals early but we actually used the whole time. This play is starting to come together, and I'm so excited to show it to Chicago! The picture for this blog post is a snap from said rehearsal! I've been working on this play for 8 years. I am working hard to make this an amazing production.

So? Here's what I need,

One Ensemble Actor! Available Sundays, Mondays, and the March 16th-21st. Good at playing multiple roles and absurd theatre ideally. A New Grizel! This will, after much thought, most likely have to be me. But I'll ask just in case, I need a STRONG female performer 40+ or a genuine Irish lady thats also a strong performer. However we are operating on a time crunch, so unless I don't find that person buy Sunday, It will be me. However, if it is me I don't want to go down the Zach Braff route of Star, Writer and Director (Sorry Zach, you may have been one of my first crushes but that's just a bit much). Which means I will most likely be looking for a Co Director or Assistant Director. I also need a graphic designer and someone to help with Marketing. Next on my list is a Set Designer. And also FUNDING. Almost every theatre show needs more money. I initially invested my own money under the assumption I would get it back. I did not. I can put together good materials for deals with Irish brands.

That's everything I need sooner rather than later. Here's what I WILL be needing during the week of March 16th-21st.

• Light Operator,

• Sound Operrator/possible designer,

• Props/set transporter (A car and are willing to drive places)

• Set Makers

• Costume person would be great actually!

• Someone to run box office, pretty please.

• People to see the play!

Ok.. I think that's just about everything. One of the things I think I've ALWAYS loved about theatre is the nature of community and ensemble. unfortunately in this day and age, due to budgeting reasons and ease, people often resort to solo-plays with no director, having to do everything itself. I'm good at theatre, but I also love the family a show creates, especially a good show and I know this is a great show.

That is what I need. This show falls on St. Patricks day, as well as 280 anniversary of Grizel Steven's. It's a play about Irish history, created by an Irish woman who now lives in Chicago. If you've EVER celebrated St Patricks day in Chicago with no Irish blood in you or with out an Irish person being in your core group? That you owe me, so you may as well help out with, or come to Grizel: Irelands Pig-Faced Lady.

March Monday 17th through to Sunday 21st At The Edge Theatre.

Peace and love,

Saoirse Siné or, Freedom, That's it.