FAQ
What is The Lost Garden?
The Lost Garden is an emergency fundraiser for immersive arts workers, a free online show celebrating immersive artists to bring our whole community together, an online auction run on Instagram (@lostimmersive), and a GoFundMe page to raise funds. 100% of the funds raised through The Lost Garden will go to arts workers who are in need because of the pandemic.
Is this event Sleep No More related or affiliated?
No. Like last fall’s Lost Halloween event and this winter’s Lost New Year’s, the idea to gather the immersive community together is inspired by the infamous McKittrick Hotel where Sleep No More ran for ten years before COVID paused the show. That said, this event is not affiliated with, produced by, funded by, in collaboration with, or related to any Sleep No More, Punchdrunk, or Emursive venture. We’re a group of immersive fans creating their own alternative events that are a celebration of NYC immersive and an opportunity to give back to the people who worked in this particular niche of the mostly off-off-Broadway immersive theater industry.
Who is hosting this event? Are you the same group that hosted The Lost Halloween/The Lost New Year’s?
Yes! The Lost Garden is being hosted by the same group that hosted The Lost Halloween and The Lost New Year’s. We’re now called Lost Immersive. We’re a small group of people who have seen dozens of immersive shows around the world, and who met and became friends through attending NYC-based immersive theater. We are based all around the U.S. and come from a variety of backgrounds, including professional theater, fundraising, event management, arts administration, journalism and writing arts, the tech industry, education, and the visual arts.
Specifically, we are Dee Anne Anderson, Desiree Smith, Frost, Natalie Wood, KaeLyn Rich, Kayleigh Laymon, Lauren Bonanno, Lisa Springle, Mike Springle, Morgan, Philippe Levesque, Richard Butner, and Zack Waffle. We are excited to give back to the community that changed our lives.
Is The Lost Garden a fundraiser like The Lost Halloween?
Yes! We hope you’ll donate to our GoFundMe and support immersive arts workers.
How can I come to the party?
Sign up to attend The Lost Garden through our upcoming Eventbright link, and then check your email for the Zoom link as the date approaches. Tickets are free, and we look forward to seeing you there! Join our email list or follow us on Instagram for ticket announcements. Tickets are free, and we look forward to seeing you there!
How will you raise funds? How can I donate?
Three ways:
This GoFundMe to raise funds for the immersive community (one of our team, KaeLyn Rich, will personally hold the funds raised and pass 100% of your gift directly to immersive staff and workers). Every dollar will go to arts workers.
An art auction running before and during the May 1st event--follow our Instagram @lostimmersive for more info on the auction items!
A free, virtual show on Saturday May 1st, 8 PM EDT to come together as a community of artists and audience, to celebrate keeping art alive during the pandemic, and to encourage folks to give to support NYC immersive arts workers.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Any gift made to the GoFundMe is legally considered a personal gift and is NOT tax deductible. One of our team members is handling the GoFundMe fund and will disperse the donations directly to individual folks in need, also as a personal gift. We are a group of immersive fans who have volunteered to create and self-fund this event and fundraiser, with every dollar raised going directly to immersive artists and workers. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by any arts organization, charitable organization, or theatre company. All gifts, both cash gifts to the GoFundMe or in-kind gifts for the art auction, are given purely out of compassion and are NOT tax deductible. Thank you so much for your support!
How do I apply for funds?
If you are a NYC-based immersive professional, no matter whether you were working the door, the bar, the sound board, or performing, you can apply for funds through this simple, brief form here.
How will the funds you raise be dispersed?
We’re committed to equity and fairness in how the funds are dispersed. We will request all people with an interest in receiving funds raised through this event to fill out a very short, very simple request form. We will not require anyone to prove need. If you need it, we believe you.
Our goal is to raise enough money to give everyone a substantial gift of at least $250 based on our fundraising goals. If we are unable to do that, we will give preference to those experiencing housing and/or food instability, medical need, or BIPOC. If we make more than we anticipate, we will divide the amount equally between all who have requested funds. We hope to raise enough to support everyone who expresses need.
If I can’t donate, how else can I help?
Reserve your free ticket to The Lost Garden and help us celebrate the immersive community!
Follow us on Instagram @lostimmersive to get updates on all that we’re up to.
Share our posts to spread the word!
Participate in the Instagram art auction!
Help us connect with other fans and immersive audience members around the world.
Help us connect with immersive creators, crew, performers, and staff who may want to apply to the fund.