Make a Difference (M.A.D.) Program

M.A.D. Start-Ups!

Shotgun is eager to support fledgling companies because we appreciate how important they are to a healthy arts ecosystem. Whether it’s work-trade for rehearsal/performance space or advice on how to write a press release or build a budget, Shotgun is here for young artists.

Our M.A.D. Coordinator will be happy to assist you with information about guidance or work-trade opportunities.

M.A.D. Nights

Are you 25 or under? Do you know someone who is? Don't miss our M.A.D. Nights! $10 gets you a beer (21+) or soda, pizza, and a ticket to see a Shotgun Players performance. You can't even see a movie for that price! Use discount code MADTIX to reserve your spot! 

SUPPORT M.A.D.

If you find yourself in a position to help support our M.A.D. Program initiatives, please consider a donation. These initiatives ensure that we will continue to make theatre accessible to young folks. Shotgun Players began as a group of young folks doing what they loved, and, after all of the opportunities we’ve received throughout our existence, we’re paying it forward! Help us support the next generation and keep the Make A Difference program going strong for many years to come.

All donations to Shotgun Players are tax deductible. Our nonprofit tax ID number is 94-3265879.

2022 M.A.D. Fellows

Alexandria Fakayode (she/her) Sound Design Fellow, Man of God

Alexandria Fakayode is an undergraduate senior at the University of California, Irvine, focusing on acting and sound design. Her hometown is Oakland, CA and she is extremely excited to be helping with her first Shotgun show ever! She hopes to continue working as an actress and sound designer after graduation!

Dave Ragaza (he/him) Lighting Design Fellow, Man of God

Micaela Kieko Sinclair (she/her) Scenic Design Fellow, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Micaela Kieko Sinclair is a Bay Area scenic and props designer who occasionally dabbles in costumes and production management. Her recent scenic designs include RENT with Landmark Musical Theatre, Antigone, presented by the girl's of St. Catherine's with Town Hall Theatre Company, 'Da Kink in My Hair with U.C. Santa Cruz, and Coffee Lady with Awesome Theatre. To check out Micaela's work, visit her website at micaelasinclair.com

Mimi Tempestt (she/her) Marketing & Outreach Fellowship, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Mimi Tempestt is a multidisciplinary artist, poet, and daughter of California. She has an M.A. in Literature from Mills College, and is currently a doctoral student in the Creative/Critical Ph.D in Literature at U.C. Santa Cruz. Her debut collection of poems, The Monumental Misrememberings, was published by Co-Conspirator Press in 2020. She was chosen for Lambda Literary Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices for poetry and was a creative fellow at The Ruby in San Francisco in 2021. She participated in last year’s well-regarded exhibition at SOMArts, The Black Woman is God. Her works can be found in Foglifter, Interim Poetics, Apogee Journal, Honey Literary, and The Studio Museum in Harlem.

Kaitlin Weinstein (she/her) Costume Design Fellow, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Kaitlin Weinstein is a stage manager and costumer. She holds a B.A. in Theater & Performance Studies and English from UC Berkeley, where she received the Eisner Prize for Stage Management and Costume Design. She's worked with Bay Area theater companies including A.C.T., Berkeley Playhouse, CalShakes, Playwrights Foundation, and The Marsh, as well as Broadway at Music Circus and Capital Stage in Sacramento.

2022 M.A.D. Observerships

Vincent Chau (he/they) Props Design Observership, Man of God

Vincent Chau got into theater in college. He’s interested in technical theater, especially scenic construction, painting and design, as well as props and lighting. He’s also interested in working with children to let them have spaces to explore and express themselves. His goal is to create a technical theater program/ summer camp for young children in the future. Lastly, he wants to share that they’re nonbinary transgender Chinese Vietnamese.

Uma Supatra-Campbell (she/her) Direction Observership, Man of God

Uma Supatra-Campbell is honored to be a part of this seasons M.A.D. program at Shotgun. A multi-disciplinary artist from the Bay Area, Uma is a director, actor, choreographer and teaching artist who has worked with theater companies across the Bay Area and LA, in both stage and film. She is the lead singer of Fuzzcut and is the founder of the brand Supatra Jewelry, where she sells self-made handcrafted ceramic jewelry. She currently attends UCLA’s school of Theater, Film, and Television where she is concentrating in directing and global studies.

Lee Garber-Patel (they/them) Costume Design Observership, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Lee has worked on several productions in a variety of capacities, from backstage to onstage. In their first year as an observer with the Shotgun Players’ M.A.D. Observership, they focused on the costumes and wardrobe department. They are currently in their third year at UC Berkeley, working towards a B.A. in Media Studies, with a double minor in Theatre and Ethnic Studies.