Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young turn to crowdfunding to finish Betroffenheit

'Fancy things. Loud things. Sparkly things." Those are just some of the items two of Vancouver's, and the country's, biggest arts stars say they need as they try to raise an extra $10,000 before their Betroffenheit debuts at at the PANAMANIA Arts and Culture Program in Toronto on July 23.

So here's a chance to see Kidd Pivot's Crystal Pite and Electric Company Theatre's Jonathon Young try to drum up cash to bring their dreamlike vision to the international stage during the hubbub of the Panam games. 

Their biggest challenge? Trying to explain the famously secretive work without giving too much away. At least they do reveal what—well, kind of—Betroffenheit means. It falls somewhere between the shock and the bewilderment that encompasses you in the wake of a disaster, the theme of this dance-theatre hybrid by some of the arts world's most adventurous innovators.

Perks for donors? On the Indiegogo page they're promising personalized shout-outs; exclusive packages that include merch, photos, signed scripts; a personalized video thank-you; an invitation to a studio rehearsal; and even Skype chats with the creators.

And don't worry, you won't have to fly to Hogtown to see the result of this wild mashing of creative minds: Betroffenheit (did we spell that right?) will tour, with a stop here in February 2016 care of DanceHouse. If they can raise the money, that is.

The show continues on throughout the Pacific Northwest and Texas, and the group says it's finalizing details on Europe and the U.K.