History Hurt No One

Want to know more about how all this Mayhem got started.  This post is just for you. No one else.

When Emily Karel and Catherine Stewart first met working with Arts In Reach, a creative arts organization that supports young women, in April of 2014 they immediately began to talk about the barriers to making, sharing and showing new work.  “I sometimes wonder if people ever actually go to the theatre anymore,” complains Catherine in a rather low moment.

The idea for Tiny Mayhem‘s precursor, Pint-Sized Plays, was spawned when the two looked at the major issues affecting the creation and presentation of new theatre work. Money, Location and Collaborators were top of their list.  “Long, large or complicated performances are hard to fund – particularly if you are an emerging artist or working outside the lines of traditional theatre,” explains actress and producer Emily Karel.  “Then you have to find a place that is willing to let you loose in their theatre. And if you have an untested show, or new idea that just looks different – then it becomes even harder.” Catherine joins in “And you have to find people to work with, even if it is a one-women/man show, you often still need someone to give you feedback, turn down the lights or cue a piece of music.  If you are new to an area, like me, then that’s even more difficult.”

And there they had it – the difficulties were obvious. What did they do? They created a platform that would address all those issues, and get more new contemporary work on a stage.

Tiny Mayhem was born.  Happy Birthday to you, little Tiny Mayhem.