STORMÉ ~ The Musical Play
Help fund a special run that will share this story of a Stonewall icon with more people.
FUNDRAISING GOAL
$5,999
(needed to supplement #NYCWomensFund)
Help bring STORMÉ from script to stage
Story
It took one punch to start a gay revolution. It took one gender-bending lesbian to throw that punch. This is her story! Stormé DeLarverie is revered for throwing the first punch—or series of punches—at police during the now infamous 1969 raid at NYC’s Stonewall Inn. Much like Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955 played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, Stormé’s scuffle with the NYPD in 1969 during a raid at the Stonewall Inn was a watershed moment for Gay Rights. The show follows her journey from New Orleans, as a biracial child learning to fight for her identity, to migrating to Chicago and performing as big band singer Stormy Dale, where she befriends gay piano virtuoso Billy Strayhorn, composer for Duke Ellington’s Orchestra. She joins the Jewel Box Revue (America’s first racially integrated and gay-owned drag show) as a male impersonator—billed 25 men & 1 girl. Now living in Harlem and performing as Stormé DeLarverie, she forms a paternal bond with female illusionist Billy Daye. Stormé, along with her lover Diana and extended family of friends, exists under constant threat from the NYPD (who harass and arrest cross-dressers and gays gathering in bars) until that fateful day in June of 1969, when she had enough of being under everyone’s thumb. The play is generously peppered with songs to reflect Stormé and her performance family’s artistic journey to combat oppression.
“At times heartbreaking, at times triumphant, but always stirring, Stormé is the definitive depiction of an icon whose story should be heard by all.” ~The Spark that Ignited a Revolution, by Jim Catapano (OUTER-STAGE)
Production Plan
We are presenting a three-week run, Off Broadway, in Summer 2025, a revived and revised rendition of STORMÉ. June 2025 marks the 55th Anniversary of PRIDE, making this powerful work timely. STORMÉ is a musical play in two-acts, with a running time of 2 hours and featuring a cast of 9 (actors double roles plus one voice character actor) and a variety of songs (jazz standards and original music).
Budget
We are thrilled and humbled to be named a 2024 NYC Women’s Fund recipient by Made In NY & the New York Foundation for the Arts. But it is not enough. We need your help to fund a small portion of the total production cost to help us bring about a fully realized rendition of STORMÉ from script to the stage.
Rewards
The rewards listed here are but a small token of our appreciation. Your contribution will go a long way towards costs for props and period pieces including clothing that can best be fitted to allow our actors transform into male and female impersonators. Money raised also will pay for digital scenery. The good news is that once they’re created, these digital scenes can be used over and over again for future productions.
Who We Are
True Colors Project (TCP) is a social enterprise that exhibits and encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our mission is fighting for social justice and cultural diversity through the arts. We understand the impact of mission-focused theatrical performances and we are determined to keep that impact going. Currently at the heart of our collective of artists are socio-historical and theatrical projects. This includes the musical play STORMÉ. TCP is a fiscally sponsored arts company through Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU), a 501c3 nonprofit whose membership roster includes self-producing artists and career Broadway producers.
As founder and principal of TCP, Carolyn M. Brown has produced theatrical performances and curated cultural events like My True Colors Festival (MTCF) and My True Colors Excel Pride Awards to champion and support BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, and other marginalized voices in the performing arts community. She is an award-winning journalist and magazine editor with a diverse background as a nonfiction author, playwright, and multimedia content producer. In addition, she has proven expertise in organizing innovative projects across print, digital, broadcast, and theatrical platforms. Her writings about the lives of LGBTQ+ people have been integral to creating a media environment where LGBTQ+ communities of color feel visible, affirmed, and celebrated. Carolyn is a 2012 GLAAD Media Award Winner, Outstanding Magazine Article, for “Black & Gay In Corporate America” (Black Enterprise). She is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild of America and a grant recipient of the Brooklyn Arts Council, Puffin Foundation, Tri-M Foundation, New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and NYC Women's Fund for Media, Music and Theatre.
Back Our Story
PERSONALIZED THANK YOU!
You’ll receive a personalized email extending our eternal appreciation for supporting this project and being part of preserving Stormé DeLarverie’s legacy! Thank you!
SIGNED KEY ART POSTCARD
You’ll receive a personal thank you note and autographed postcard by the playwright featuring key artwork from the play (available only through this crowdfunding campaign).
TOTE BAG & SOCIAL MEDIA SHOUT OUT
You'll receive: 1) a tote bag featuring key art from the play and 2) a special thanks on social media for supporting this project, and in helping to preserve Stormé DeLarverie’s legacy!
TOTE BAG & PROGRAM LISTING
You'll receive: 1) a tote bag featuring key art from the play, 2) special thanks on social media, and 3) your name listed in the STORMÉ Playbill program as a Patron of this project, and in helping to preserve Stormé DeLarverie’s legacy!
2 TICKETS, T-SHIRT & PROGRAM LISTING
You'll receive: 1) Two (2) tickets with special seating to the show, 2) a T-shirt featuring key art from the play, 3) special thanks on social media, and 4) your name listed in the STORMÉ Playbill program as a Patron of this show, and in helping to preserve Stormé DeLarverie’s remarkable legacy!
MEET AND GREET CAST PARTY, 2 TICKETS & PROGRAM LISTING
You’ll receive: 1) special invitation for you and a guest to attend a meet and greet with the cast and crew, 2) Two (2) tickets with special seating to the show, 3) special thanks on social media, and 4) your name listed in the STORMÉ Playbill program as a Patron of this show, and in helping to preserve Stormé DeLarverie’s remarkable legacy!
BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS, 2 TICKETS & PROGRAM LISTING
You'll receive: 1) Two (2) tickets with special seating to the show, 2) behind-the-scenes access and a special invitation to attend a rehearsal of the play with an opportunity to offer input to the playwright, 3) a special thanks on social media, and 4) your name listed in the STORMÉ Playbill program as a Patron of this project, and in helping to preserve Stormé DeLarverie’s legacy!
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE & MERCHANDISE
VIP experience to show our eternal appreciation for your patronage of this project and being a major part of preserving Stormé DeLarverie’s legacy! You’ll receive: 1) VIP Seating and Entry To A Pre-Show or Post-Show Experience, 2) bottle of STORMÉ private label sparkling wine from Soma Valley, CA, 3) swag bag with STORMÉ merchandise and special items from LGBTQ+ owned businesses, 4) autographed sheet music of an original song written for the play (offer exclusive to this campaign only), and your name listed in the STORMÉ Playbill program as a marquee supporter.
