YuFund matchfunded £500
By
Omar Shahryar
York
I'm Omar Shahryar, opera composer and PhD student at the University of York.
Growing up after 9/11 as a mixed-race Scottish-Bangladeshi, it pained me to feel that my part of my identity could be seen as a threat by society and the media, while I was also afraid of the worsening threat of extremist violence. 16 years later, I've created a unique project where I can contribute my perspective and skills to creating a more harmonious society. Now my project needs your help.
The Identity Crisis project aims to use opera to engage young people safely and sensitively with issues surrounding terrorism. The project started with facilitated group dialogues with teenagers at North Huddersfield Trust School about terrorism's causes and effects. Creating a safe space for young people to discuss sensitive topics and practice critical thinking forms a key part of the approaches to peace-making and extremism-prevention.
Inspired by the discussion, I put together a team (see 'Project Partners' below) to make an opera called "A Shoe Full of Stars", focusing on young people, courage and dialogue rather than on terrorists, politics or religion. This opera is for everyone to enjoy , and we hope students, teachers and parents will use it as an educational discussion point. Our aim is to make:
I want this project to inspire dialogue and listening, as these simple acts can disarm the threat of hatred and instead build bonds of trust. With extremism being such a sensitive subject, this project could provide schools and parents an engaging way to deliver Prevent Strategy; indeed, 5 other schools have already expressed an interest in the project's future.
But without your help now, there will be no future for this project.
With your help, I aim to raise £4,330 to make and film the opera. Your gifts will pay for:
Every contribution towards our maximum target of £10,715 will boost the project impact and help with:
If we raise more than our target, we'll set up a Transport Fund to help school audiences cover the costs of attending performances..
Regular campaign updates will be given every Tuesday and Friday.
To deliver this project, I will work with:
As way of thanks, you'll receive a gift according to the size of your donation: check out the rewards in the right-hand column of this page =>
Check out my emotional Reaction Video to reading the libretto (script) for the first time !
Here's a fun little sample of some music we made in our first sessions.
The poster design made by one of the students:
Website: www.operaschmopera.co.uk
Twitter: @operaschmopera
Facebook: @operaschmopera
Please talk about this project, start that harmonious dialogue with anyone and everyone you know!
Share this page on Facebook, Twitter, SMS or email. Even over a cup of tea!
Donate to the project and be part of the community making the change we wish to see
For more info about performances and bookings visit: www.operaschmopera.co.uk/whats-on
Select this reward if you just want to donate to the project without receiving a reward.
64 claimed
Get a shout-out on Facebook and Twitter!
4 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 March 2018
A heartfelt "Thank You!" email with photo of the very grateful cast!
5 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 March 2018
A set of 5 "A Shoe Full of Stars" souvenir postcards
4 claimed of 500
Estimated delivery: 1 April 2018
Your name in lights, projected onto the stage before and after the show!
3 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 March 2018
One complimentary early-bird ticket, PLUS your name in a dedicated section of the programme, signed by the cast.
2 claimed of 100
Estimated delivery: 1 March 2018
An exclusive meet-and-greet with the professional cast after the show, PLUS your name in a dedicated section of the programme, signed by the cast, and two complimentary tickets.
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Estimated delivery: 1 March 2018
Learn how to make your own songs with a 3-hour song-writing workshop (for groups or individuals) with composer Omar Shahryar! PLUS be invited to an exclusive meet-and-greet with the professional cast after the show, receive your name in a dedicated section of the programme, signed by the cast, and five complimentary tickets.
0 claimed of 15
Estimated delivery: 1 December 2018