Kimberley Twiner, Lily Fish and Hallie Goodman. Image credit Nayt Housman.

Once Upon a Drag Storytime By PO PO MO CO

Presenter Pack

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Contents Company Profile 3

About The Show 4

Performance Specifics 8

Audience Engagement 9

Marketing 10

Production Details 13

Contacts 15

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Company Profile PO PO MO CO is a multi-award winning physical comedy ensemble based in Melbourne. We

are dedicated to creating neo-vaudevillian physical comedy through a contemporary lens.

Founded by Kimberley Twiner in 2015, the core members are Lily Fish, David Maney, Claire

Sullivan and Hallie Goodman.

We are recipients of the Melbourne Fringe Circus Oz Award 2017, Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund

2018, Adelaide Fringe Best Emerging Artist weekly award 2018; nominated for Best Comedy

Melbourne Fringe 2017 and finalists in the Australian LGBTQ Awards 2018.

We’ve seen box office success and critical acclaim at festivals all over Australia including Perth

Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival,

Midsumma Festival and Woodford Folk Festival.

We are in close mentorship with award winning vaudevillian Liz Skitch (deBase Productions).

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Halie Goodman, Lily Fish and Kimberley Twiner. Image credit Nayt Housman.

About The Show PO PO MO CO’s resident drag kings Mark, Keith and Gavin host a theatrical storytime meets sketch comedy show for kids. The trio read three contemporary picture books that celebrate diversity and self expression: Feminist Baby by Loryn Brantz, Julian is a Mermaid by Jess Love, and King and King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland. The books inspire bite sized, over-the-top physical and visual comedy sketches. There is song, dance, lip syncs (by both humans and puppets), a giant whale, outrageous characters, pantomime and a mini talent show. Adults will also recognize throwbacks to classics like INXS, Joan Jett, Play School, Australian Idol, 70’s disco and the famous ‘Lift’ from Dirty Dancing.

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This is high energy, precise physical comedy wrapped in a non-threatening, familiar sense of Aussie naivety. Once Upon a Drag Storytime is a show that celebrates family diversity and self expression without a hint of didacticism.

Lily Fish and Kimberley Twiner. Image credit Raphael Lafleur.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Created and performed by Lily Fish, Hallie Goodman and Kimberley Twiner Sound design and MC’d by David Maney Rosie Cheeks designed and made by Allanah Sarafian Directed by Liz Skitch Once Upon a Drag Storytime was created with support from Yarra City Council, Hares and Hyenas bookstore and Rainbow Families.

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BIOGRAPHIES Lily Fish Creator/Performer Lily Fish is a performer, theatre maker, director, playwright, dramaturg and teaching artist. She is a graduate of the National Theatre Drama School and the John Bolton Theatre SchooL, and a founding member of physical comedy ensemble PO PO MO CO. She also regularly performs independently and with internationally renowned physical theatre company Born in a Taxi. Lily has been awarded artist residencies at HotHouse Theatre, the Australian Tapestry Workshop, and Women’s Circus, and is a Cybec Scholarship recipient. Her play Yarn is published through PlayLab. Kimberley Twiner Creator/Performer Kimberley is a clown, physical comedian, teacher and director based in Melbourne. Kimberley has been working in the style of clown for the past ten years under the mentorship of award winning vaudevillian Liz Skitch. She has devised and performed three solo shows (Solo Act: Part One: 1+1=1, Basha and The Intensive Intensive Intensive) which have been performed nationally and internationally. She is Artistic Director of award winning physical comedy ensemble PO PO MO CO (Emerging Artist Award at Adelaide Fringe 2018, Best Original Circus at Melb Fringe 2017, Adelaide Artist Fund Recipients). Kimberley has directed award winning physical comedy show The Travelling Sisters (Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe 2017) and Maggot (Adelaide Tour Ready Award at Wellington Fringe 2017). She is also a founder of A Tutti Frutti Cabaret London. Kimberley's theatre training comes from the schools of Philippe Gaulier, John Bolton and Giovanni Fusetti. Hallie Goodman Creator/Performer Hallie Goodman, originally from New York City, is now living in Melbourne and performing as a physical comedian, clown, dancer, and puppeteer. She studied dance from a very young age which lead her into a career in dance and musical theater, performing in Las Vegas and around NYC. Before moving to Melbourne, Hallie worked in an early childhood development center teaching Dance, Music, Gymnastics, Sports, and Art. She toured with "ERTH Visual and Physical" as a puppeteer for their Dinosaur Zoo show in North America at the Melbourne Arts Center, and with ERTH in association with the Melbourne Zoo. David Maney Sound designer/MC David Maney is a writer, performer and teaching artist. He started as a mentee at St Martins Youth Arts Centre and progressed to be a teaching artist. He has worked with adults and children, with and without disabilities, in companies such as Rawcus, FOG, and at Footscray Community Arts Centre. He has produced and performed successful solo shows of personal storytelling, as well as the queer cowboy duo Justice & Trainwreck. David is a founding member of PO PO MO CO.

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Liz Skitch Director Liz Skitch is a physical theatre performer and theatre maker, specialising in the creation, performance and direction of new work, specifically physical comedy and clown. Liz is co-founder and key creative of Debase Productions, established in Brisbane in 1998 and dedicated to the creation of brilliant new comedies. In 2019, Debase Productions received the Gold Matilda for their commitment to making theatre of excellence in Queensland for over 20 years, touring nationally and internationally, focusing on the use of comedy to address social issues in a way that is in tune with their target audience. With Debase, Liz’s directing credits include ‘The Squad’ (Street Theatre Troupe, 2018 Commonwealth Games), ‘Chasing the Lollyman’ (Playing Australia Tour 2012, Hothouse Theatre 2011, La Mama 2010), and ‘The Clown from Snowy River’ (Qld Arts Council Tour 2006, Regional Arts Vic Tour 2009 and Published by Playlab Press). Working in Melbourne since 2013, Liz has worked as director on a number of outstanding and award winning shows including PO PO MO CO’s ‘Recreation and Leisure’ (Winner Original New Circus 2017), Kinberley Twiner’s ‘Basha’ (London Mime Festival) and Lana Schwarcz’s ‘Lovely Lady Lump (Most Outstanding Solo Show, Ottawa Fringe 2016, Best Theatre, Dunedin Fringe 2016), ‘LuLu La Marr, Cabaret Star’ (winner Best Cabaret Performance, Short and Sweet Cabaret, 2017), The Broccoli Brothers and Splash Test Dummies. Liz produces and curates the Moulin Beige Comedy Cabaret and in 2015 founded The Melbourne Community Clown Troupe. Allanah Sarafian Rosie Cheeks designer Allanah is a highly skilled maker, creator, performer and teacher. She has a Bachelor in Fine Arts fashion and a Graduate Diploma of primary education. When she’s not teaching, she manages her two clothing labels and stilt-walking company called Mamma Long Legs. Through Mamma Long Legs, Allanah invents hilarious characters and performs with her puppets at festivals.

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Performance Specifics DURATION 45 minutes SUITABLE VENUES The show is adaptable to most spaces including town halls, school gyms, etc. Our minimum stage space is 2500mm deep x 4800mm wide x 2500mm high. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES PER WEEK 10 performances

MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN PERFORMANCES 90 minutes

APRA OBLIGATIONS Dramatic Context licence required

TOURING PERSONNEL The touring party consists of 4 people.

Name Role

Lily Fish Performer/tour manager

Kimberley Twiner Performer

Hallie Goodman Performer

David Maney Sound Operator/MC

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

Year Venue Number of performances

2019 Bowery Theatre STACC 1

2019 Footscray CAC 1

2019 Hares and Hyenas 3

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Audience Engagement OVERVIEW PO PO MO CO has a range of workshops we can offer to community members of all ages including Clowning, Devising, and Improvised Movement. Our most popular workshop is Clown 101 which can be tailored to adult, youth, or child participants. We can also offer Extraordinary Storytime: From Page To Stage which is a three to four day devising workshop for primary school aged children. This workshop was originally commissioned by Footscray Community Arts Centre for their school holiday arts program. DESCRIPTION / DETAILS

Clown 101 Junior An introduction to performing in the theatrical style of Clown. Through games and exercises the participants unlock their own wonderful brand of funny. It’s a positive and curious workshop exploring the logic of clown and playing together. AGE

6 - 12 years

COST

One off fee for presenter of $400 per 2 hour workshop (6 – 24 participants); Or a per participant fee of $50 (minimum participants 8). Extraordinary Storytime: From Page To Stage PO PO MO CO members facilitate a theatre making workshop for budding performers. Through physical theatre, clowning, puppetry, lip-sync, dancing, and more, participants will create their own extraordinary mini stage shows inspired by their favourite picture books. Guaranteed to be funny and fabulous! AGE

6 - 12 years

COST

One off fee for presenter $2000 per 3 day workshop (10 hours total); Or a per participant fee of $200 (minimum participants 10).

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Marketing MARKETING COPY One line Not your average storytime. Short Multi-award winning comedy ensemble PO PO MO CO bring you a fabulous new show for the whole family. Hosted by the troupe’s resident Drag Kings and lords of daggy dad dance - Mark, Gavin and Keith take the audience on a theatrical ride. There’s dancing, lip syncs, giant puppets and outrageous characters. This is not just your average storytime. Extended Not your average storytime. Melbourne physical comedy darlings PO PO MO CO bring you Once Upon a Drag Storytime. Known for their larger than life, outrageous adults only shows, this multi-award winning comedy company are breaking new ground with a show entirely for kids. Hosted by the troupe’s resident Drag Kings and lords of daggy dad dance - Mark, Gavin and Keith take the audience on a theatrical ride. This storytime-meets-sketch comedy show features giant puppets, surreal lip syncs, outrageous characters and a mini talent show. Adults will also recognize throwbacks to classics like INXS, Joan Jett, Play School, Australian Idol, 70’s disco and the famous ‘Lift’ from Dirty Dancing. Once Upon a Drag Storytime is high energy, precise physical comedy wrapped in a non-threatening, familiar sense of Aussie naivety. It’s a show that celebrates diversity, equality and self expression without a hint of didacticism. PO PO MO CO founder Kimberley Twiner says: ‘This is so much more than your average storytime, it’s a sketch show, it’s a drag show and it’s a celebration of equality for all.’ Once Upon a Drag Storytime was developed with support from Rainbow Families Victoria, Hares and Hyenas Bookshop and Yarra City Council. “PO PO MO CO are like unicorns, spreading their electrifying energy everywhere in sight.”

Theatrepeople

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MARKETING SUMMARY Once Upon a Drag Storytime is so much more than your average storytime. It is a one of a kind, visually spectacular, totally hilarious sketch comedy show for kids and their grown ups. It celebrates diversity, equality and self expression through stories, songs, dance, puppetry and sketch comedy, while being decidedly non-didactic. This is not just a show for rainbow families - but for all families who love comedy, and are interested in fostering empathy for others and a strong sense of self-confidence in their children. PRIMARY TARGET MARKET: Primary school aged children and their guardians. SECONDARY TARGET MARKETS: Preschool aged children and their guardians We have a suite of marketing resources for presenters including promotional images, gifs, videos, print collateral, and press releases. We've found that a combination of social media, traditional media, and grassroots marketing is effective in communicating with our target markets. For grassroots campaigns we recommend targeting or partnering with local libraries, maternal and child health centres, early childhood education and care providers, and primary schools. We can provide a grassroots marketing pack that includes copy and images for inclusion in newsletters and emails. Our Educational Resource is available for teachers including pre- and post-incursion activities, and links to Australian Curriculum. MEDIA QUOTES

“PO PO MO CO are like unicorns, spreading their electrifying energy everywhere in sight.” Theatrepeople

“ stunningly visual and exceptionally creative”

The Plus Ones

“There is no limit to how silly or surreal they’re willing to take things” Timeout Melbourne

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Hallie Goodman. Image credit Raphael Lafleur.

IMAGES

Promotional images https://drive.google.com/open?id=12nTujFhFD_cBm-We6FlUiJj9Ywdf49Pd Credit: Nayt Housman Production images https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wHSkN_Tj2gFiLDvLi2uZiMCQlBMVTuK9 Credit: Raphael Lafleur MARKETING MATERIALS

● Marketing copy ● Suite of promotional images and production shots ● Gifs ● Promotional videos ● Press release template

TEACHER’S RESOURCES Teacher’s resource document containing pre and post-incursion activities and curriculum links available.

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Production Details TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Once Upon a Drag Storytime can be adapted to suit most performance spaces, including non-traditional theatre spaces. The following is an overview assuming a venue is equipped with a stage area, basic lighting rig, PA system, microphone, and backstage area with dressing rooms. (Venues without a basic standard lighting rig and PA - such as schools - may also be utilised in consultation with PO PO MO CO). EXAMPLE SCHEDULE Bump In/tech run – 3 hours Break – 1 hour Show – 45 mins Bump Out – 2 hour

CREW REQUIRED FROM VENUE One staff member for bump in and out, familiar with in-house systems. If LX and sound desks are not close together we may require an operator. STAGE

Our minimum stage space is 2500mm deep x 4800mm wide x 2500mm high Stage treads required if raised stage. PO PO MO CO to supply false proscenium and all props. LIGHTING Any basic in-house system.

Ideally house lights are dimmable from lighting desk.

SOUND Standard PA that can accommodate playback. 1 x mic to be used from sound desk. In larger venues we may require 3 x radio headset mic systems and belts. WARDROBE PO PO MO CO to supply all costumes. We require the venue to supply a lockable, secure, and warm dressing room. Dressing rooms must contain: • dressing tables with mirrors

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• clothes rail with hangers • soap and hot running water • enough seats for the occupants • toilets / washroom FREIGHT NOTES Props and set fit into a van/truck or large covered trailer. Touring vehicles are a van/truck and a car; or a car towing a large trailer.

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Contacts For all inquiries please contact Lily Fish PO PO MO CO 0412 235 035 lilyfishtheatre@gmail.com

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