The Master’s in Fine Arts in acting program in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance is crowdfunding donations to help support a week-long residency with renowned writer, actor and solo performer Kevin McCoy in Quebec City, Canada. Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance is raising funds to support a week-long residency in Quebec City, Canada (January 26 – February 2, 2025) for its third-year M.F.A. in acting graduate students with renowned writer, actor, and solo performer Kevin McCoy.
The residency will run from January 26 through February 2, 2025 and include daily workshops with McCoy where the students will learn the power and importance of their voices, experiences, and stories as well as how to take the desire to perform into their own hands and craft those stories into solo performances.
The U.S.-born McCoy has appeared on many stages in Quebec City and Montreal performing in French-language productions of An Enemy of the People, Twelfth Night, The Cherry Orchard, and many contemporary plays. McCoy founded Theatre Humain in 2006 with his production Ailleurs (Elsewhere), a documentary-theatre piece following the lives of immigrants in Quebec City. In 2015, he created and performed “Norge” inspired by his Norwegian grandmother’s immigration story. McCoy is currently developing a new solo show, “Puck’s Dressing Room.”
In addition to the solo performance workshops, the M.F.A. acting students will participate in classes on movement and choreography, creating English theatre in Montreal, and acting in the French language. They will also view professional theatrical productions in English and French and tour historical and cultural sites in Montreal and Quebec City. The residency will culminate in the presentation of the students’ solo performances.
Donations of any amount are welcome, but there are some specific donation levels that come with specific perks.
$8 L’Audition (Audition)
$8 for our 8 MFA Actors! Help cover the cost of breakfast, snacks or a morning coffee run ☕️
$25 Répétition (Rehearsals)
The cost of one ticket to the theatre is $25! — For donating at the “Répétition” Level, you will receive: One group photo of the Actors in Québec!
$50 Costumes Adjustement (Fitting)
The cost of transportation to Montreal will be around $50 per student! — For donating at the “Costumes Adjustement” Level, you will receive: One group photo of the Actors in Québec! A handwritten thank you card!
$100 Répétition Générale (Dress)
One student’s entire four show ticket bundle will cost around $100! — For donating at the “Répétition Générale” Level, you will receive: One group photo of the Actors in Québec! A handwritten thank you card! An exclusive invitation to a performance of our solo pieces for you and one guest at NIU!
$300 Aperçus (Preview)
One acting workshop costs $300 per student! — For donating at the “Aperçus” Level, you will receive: One group photo of the Actors in Québec! A handwritten thank you card! An exclusive invitation to a performance of our solo pieces for you and one guest at NIU! Your name in the solo performance program as a “Bronze” donor.
$600 Soirée D’ouverture (Opening)
The cost of one round-trip plane ticket to Canada is around $600! — For donating at the “Soirée D’ouverture” Level, you will receive: One group photo of the Actors in Québec! A handwritten thank you card! An exclusive invitation to a performance of our solo pieces for you and one guest at NIU! Your name in the solo performance program as a “Silver” donor. A group thank you video from all of us in Québec!
$1,000 Soirée de Clôture (Closing)
The cost of our Airbnb is around $1,000! — For donating at the “Soirée de Clôture” Level, you will receive: One group photo of the Actors in Québec! A handwritten thank you card! An exclusive invitation to a performance of our solo pieces for you and one guest at NIU! Your name in the solo performance program as a “Gold” donor! A personalized video message straight from Canada!
