LOOPS at Melbourne Fringe

We are thrilled to announce that our team will be taking our award-winning, captivating performance piece, Loops, to the Melbourne Fringe Festival in October. We are incredibly grateful to have received funding from Creative New Zealand, which has been instrumental in making this opportunity a reality. However, despite this support, we still face financial challenges in covering all the associated costs.

Loops is a multidisciplinary production that delves into the frustrations and repercussions of experiencing burnout, explored through immersive live sound and breathtaking aerial art. Our inaugural performance at the 2022 NZ Fringe Festival at BATS Theatre Wellington received overwhelming acclaim, selling out the three night season. It was an honor to be recognized with the NZ Fringe Grand Design Award, the Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award, and nominations for Most Original Production and Sound Designer of the Year at the Wellington Theatre Awards 2022. 

This show was created for those artists who are stuck in a loop and are not sure how to break out. But as has been discovered post-pandemic, burnout is something that can affect anyone, no matter their vocation, age, or social status. As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said with her resignation “there is nothing left in the tank”. The first iteration of Loops was created in the thick of 2021 pandemic season and as such echoes the desperation and hopelessness that many, not just artists, were feeling. Thankfully there seems to have been a societal shift towards prioritising your mental health & wellbeing since the height of the pandemic, which this show aims to support.  

To bring Loops to the Melbourne Fringe Festival, we are relying on the success of a return Wellington season (watch this space for season details!) and the generosity of our dedicated supporters. Your donation, no matter the size, will contribute directly to the production costs, including travel, accommodation, venue hire, technical requirements, and most importantly: artist fees. 

By supporting us, you are enabling us to showcase our artistic vision to a broader audience.  International touring is a vital part of an artist’s growth and professional development. Touring internationally is an excellent way for emerging artists from New Zealand to gain exposure, build their skills and network, and broaden their perspective, all of which can help them succeed in their career. This experience will build resilience and help our artists to  develop the skills necessary to succeed in the highly competitive world of circus performance. You are also ensuring that our artists are not faced with the most common stressor experienced by artists: income insecurity. One of the biggest contributors to burnout in the arts industry is a lack of funding and budgetary constraints. We want to avoid our show about burnout causing burnout!

We understand that times are tough for many, and any contribution you can make would be deeply appreciated. Your support will make a tangible difference in helping us reach our fundraising goal and ensuring the success of Loops at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Donations can be made easily through our Boosted campaign page, and we encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks, spreading the word about our project and mission.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and belief in our work. Together, we can make Loops soar to new heights and inspire audiences in Melbourne with its powerful message. We look forward to sharing this unforgettable experience with you.

Loops Creative Team

Brynne Tasker-Poland - Director & Producer

Benny Jennings - Sound Designer

Frances Muir - Aerial Artist

Leanne Jenkins - Aerial Artist

Hāmi Hawkins - Lighting Designer

Melbourne Fringe season

5 - 7 October 2023

Gasworks Arts Park