The Connecting Routes Project is now recognized as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN: 85-1775758), so any donation from now on is tax-deductible!
Please consider supporting us and our artists, and helping to continue bringing accessible theater to communities across our nation's railway network!
WHAT IS THE CONNECTING ROUTES PROJECT?
The Connecting Routes Project (www.connectingroutes.org) is America's railway touring theater company, uniting communities across the nation through shared storytelling!
We do this by touring a variety of big hearted and innovative productions by train from Chicago to towns connected to us by regional and national rail lines. Traveling by train, we keep our productions accessible, bringing free theater for all ages directly to communities while traveling on a more sustainable mode of transportation.
After traveling locally on the Metra Regional Rail for the past two tours, we will now be boarding an Amtrak train for the first time, to bring Kerfuffle's The Conductors to the Bloomington-Normal community on June 3-4, 2024, thanks to a partnership with Illinois Art Station (www.illinoisartstation.org)!
The Connecting Routes Project believes that Stories Unite Us, Stories Inspire Us, and that "Stories Connect Us" - and it's more important than ever to reconnect with each other: one story, one community, and one train stop at a time.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION SUPPORTS:
Artist Stipends: We believe in fairly paying all artists who work with us. The approximate cost for all artists on our Summer 2024 tour comes to $1450. We will also provide per diem towards food for all artists on tour.
Transportation Costs: We will travel by Amtrak to Bloomington-Normal. For our currently scheduled performances, Amtrak train tickets and travel expenses will cost approximately $200. We will also provide overnight housing in Normal, IL at a generously discounted rate of approximately $150.
Free Admission: The Connecting Routes Project believes in keeping admission free for all public performances in order to keep our work as accessible as possible. Your donation will help us keep our productions free for all communities to enjoy.
All additional funds raised beyond this tour's needs will be used towards operating costs and future projects.
UP NEXT: THE CONDUCTORS
Co-produced with Kerfuffle (www.kerfuffletvy.com), a theatre and dance company that brings high-quality, playful and emotionally interesting plays to very young audiences, The Conductors features original music and celebrates themes of community, friendship and new experiences - while exploring everywhere a train may take you and everyone it may connect you with. A perfect first theater experience for the very young, our whimsical show encourages audiences to "find their treasure" in everyday adventures, whether it be in blanket forts with grandma or meeting new friends in outer space.
The original 2021 production was partially funded by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and toured to outdoor spaces at Chicagoland museums and libraries via the Metra regional railways. Since it's original production, Kerfuffle has shared The Conductors with hundreds of children and families in partnership with Chicago's Night Out in the Parks festival in 2022 and 2023, as well as Lincolnshire's Odyssey Festival in 2024.
More information about the play and our current tour plans can be found at www.connectingroutes.org.
*We have received partial funding from the Illinois Arts Council for our Summer 2024 tour.