KUALA LUMPUR: Theatre audiences now have a say and a stake in what they see onstage as the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPaC) introduces its new crowdfunding platform.
Going by the name, FunD’Arts, it is considered the first platform of its kind dedicated to the performing arts.
“The general public can put in a bit of money for a production to go on,” said Joe Hasham, KLPaC’s co-founder and artistic director, during the official launch of FunD’Arts at the performing arts centre yesterday.
The project was developed by KLPaC with its innovation partner, Accenture Malaysia, in the hopes of harnessing the power of the people to drive the arts.
Also present was KLPaC’s co-founder and executive producer, Datuk Faridah Merican, who added: “The arts industry is booming but sadly funding is not.”
“Thanks to the Accenture team who first broached the crowdfunding idea and worked tirelessly side by side with KLPaC’s team to make it a reality, we now have another funding lifeline,” she said.
Faridah explained that FunD’Arts essentially matches arts projects with donors, which leads to a win-win situation.
“The audience gets to have a say in what they would like to see onstage and we get to stage it,” she said.
During the launch of FunD’Arts, Janet Yap, country managing director for Accenture Malaysia, said: “We’ve been collaborating with KLPaC for the last two years, focused on helping them to be a high performing organisation.”
“Taken after the crowdfunding model, this platform enables KLPaC to reach a wider audience to directly support the performing arts,” she added.
FunD’Arts started off recently on a promising note with positive feedback from the public.
Its pilot project to raise funds for music group Lelaki 2.5’s cabaret-styled concert exceeded the targeted RM10,000 mark.
In the span of just one month, a total of RM15,575 was raised via 82 pledges.
“Within the performing arts scene this kind of amount goes a long way – at least we got to pay the performers and took the Lelaki 2.5 show to Penang as well,” said Joe.
He added: “It allowed us to do things and to finish up in the black rather than in the red.”
In conjunction with the launch of FunD’Arts, another crowdfunding campaign has been rolled out.
“After a 3-year hiatus, we want to bring Indicinelive back with plans of a “best of” revival edition featuring more than 20 of the most popular sketches from the past,” said Joe.
He further explained that the show will not be a straightforward rehash but will incorporate fresh elements by the creative team.
Taking inspiration from Saturday Night Live, Little Britain and MadTV, Indicinelive is KLPaC’s hit sketch comedy revue which had previously enjoyed four sold out seasons.
The new revival special edition is a collaboration between KLPaC, Sifu Productions and The Actors Studio.
It will feature a mix of old and new cast members that include Ivan Chan Atienza, Jeremy Ooi, Aaron Teoh, Siti Farrah Abdullah, Nur Zakuan and Tika Mu’tamir, as well as guest performers Anrie Too, Freddy Tan, Ui Hua, Dinesh Kumar and Hana Nadira.
If the crowdfunding campaign hits the RM10,000 goal, Indicinelive will be staged at KLPaC from Aug 13-23.
Those who are interested to support the staging of Indicinelive can start pledging from today onwards till July 31.
The pledge amounts are divided into six tiers that range from RM25 to RM500. The sums of money pledged will only be credited once the target amount has been reached.
Some of the rewards in store for pledgers include a special shout out by the cast during the show, reserved VIP seating, exclusive Indicinelive merchandise and a photograph session with the cast.
For more information visit www.klpac.org/pledge/ or call 03-40479000.