GoFundMe Created For College Graduates Staging Show at Guild Hall

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A group of graduates have come together with a dream for a new theatrical production company and they're seeking the public's help to fund their first play at Guild Hall.

A GoFundMe page, "Gruesome Playground Injuries" has raised $1,095 of its $6,000 goal.

Brian Clemente, director for the upcoming production of "Gruesome Playground Injuries" said Genny Productions is a brand new theatrical production company he's founded along with fellow graduates of SUNY Geneseo.

This fall, the company is unveiling its inaugural production of "Gruesome Playground Injuries," by Rajiv Joseph, he said.

"First produced in 2009, 'Gruesome Playground Injuries', by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, tells the story of Kaylee and Doug, who first meet in the nurse’s office of their elementary school. Over the next 30 years, they are brought together again and again by injury, heartbreak and, on occasion, their own self-destructive tendencies. It’s not your typical love story, and captures beautifully the complex relationship between love and hate," the page reads.

The show features actors Julia Masotti and Jacob Alden Roa.

"I am delighted that an audience will soon have an opportunity to see these two take on this very challenging play," Clemente said.

He added that Guild Hall "is one of the premiere venues for entertainment on the East End of Long Island. They not only feature world class museum exhibits, and exciting theatrical productions in their John Drew Theater, but they are also an educational arts center for their community. I have been lucky enough to work on two professional productions there, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect venue for this show."

But a fledgling production company faces challenges, he said.

"Up till now, I have made it all sound very idealistic, but the truth is, it takes a village to put on a piece of theatre like this," Clemente wrote. "Even though you will only ever see two actors on stage, there is an army of people working behind the scenes to make it all happen."

There are costs associated with any stage production, he added.

"Housing needs to be taken care of. Lights need to be on. Rights need to be purchased. And, overall, the highest quality production needs to be presented. To do that, we need your help. And just to be clear, we are not trying to make any profit off of this site or this production. We have all missed working with each other and have come together to do this production for simply for the love of theatre," he said.

Anyone who donates will see their name in the program. For and donation of $100 or more, contributors will receive two free tickets.

"Your donation would not only support young artists like us, but also work towards strengthening the performing arts on the East End, in addition to the community as a whole."

Tickets will be going on sale at the beginning of September, he said.

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe.