A short summary of your project
I’m raising £2,850 to direct and produce a new production of Islander: a musical this autumn — bringing this award-winning story to life for new audiences through a bold, imaginative staging.
Who are you?
My name is Su Young Shon, and I am a South Korean theatre director currently studying for my MFA in Theatre Directing at East 15 Acting School. I’ve directed musicals and plays in both South Korea and the UK, with a particular passion for innovative storytelling and music theatre.
For this project, I’m joined by a brilliant creative team of performers, musicians, and designers who are helping to build a unique version of Islander that celebrates community, imagination, and sustainability.
Your story
We are staging a new production of Islander: The Musical this autumn. The show is told by just two performers and a loop station, who conjure an entire island community, complete with its people, landscapes, and the sea itself, using only their voices. It is bold, magical, and unlike anything else on stage.
This story matters to me because it is about connection in the face of change and loss, something deeply resonant in today’s world. It is also an incredibly demanding piece that asks performers and creatives to be inventive, resourceful, and fearless. These are qualities that sit at the heart of my artistic practice. At the same time, Islander demonstrates how theatre can be made sustainably. With minimal resources and no wasteful spectacle, we can still create something vast and extraordinary.
By supporting this project, you are not just funding another production. You are helping bring a critically acclaimed musical to new audiences, giving young performers and creatives the chance to develop their craft, and supporting an international director in building a bridge between Korean and UK theatre-making. Your contribution also helps us continue making thoughtful choices about sustainability, honouring the show’s deep connection with nature while ensuring our creative process respects the environment.
Where will the money go?
Every pound raised will go directly into making this production possible while balancing professional quality with environmentally conscious choices. From using eco-friendly printing materials to keeping our travel and production costs efficient, we are committed to staging Islander responsibly.
If we hit our minimum target:
- Loop station and sound equipment hire (loop station, loop pedal, microphones, and related equipment): £950
- Environmentally friendly printing materials for rehearsals (10 copies of script and score): £150
If we hit our full target:
- Travel expenses for our cast and creative team during the entire six-week production period: £1,000
- Professional photography and videography: £400
- Printing programs and promotional materials: £200
- Contingency for unexpected costs: £150
If we raise extra funds:
We will invest in higher-quality design elements, expand our marketing reach to bring in more audiences, and ensure that all our freelance creatives are paid fairly for their time and commitment.
Rewards
£10+: Shoutout on our Instagram story to thank you for being part of our Islander community!
£20+: Your name listed in our programme.
£50+: Shoutout on our Instagram page from our team, using the loop station.
Find us here
We're active on Social Media, and we would love for you to see our progress! Come find us at @islander.themusical.2025 - daily posts and story updates, behind the scenes, bloopers, coming your way :)
Help us succeed!
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to learn about our production. Staging a musical is always a challenge as so many different creative aspects come together on stage. We would love your support in bringing this story to life. Every contribution, big or small, helps us make the show possible. We'll see you soon on stage this October!
