Empathetic Leap:
Project Outline -
Empathetic Leap: Project Outline -
Album artwork by Alan Weedon
EMPATHETIC LEAP
Empathetic Leap is a multidisciplinary artistic project spanning music, theatre, film and photography, centred on a ten-song cycle that uses the story of a relationship to investigate a broader philosophical question:
What does it mean to live a disarmed life?
Across the record, love becomes less a romantic subject than a method for exploring vulnerability, courage, spirituality and the ways we construct emotional defences against one another.
The project has seen iterative development from its inception as a theatre show merging poetry and song, to the subsequent recording of a ten-song album. I am now seeking funding for ten site-responsive single take performance videos incorporating the visual language of clowning to develop the project into a site-responsive moving-image form before its public dissemination in 2027.
the songs
The songs from the album have all been recorded thanks to a generous grant from Creative Victoria. The teaser below gives you a three-minute taste of the record. I have deliberately chosen segments which lyrically address the core premise (about emotional defences and the challenges of disarmament) to demonstrate how these themes develop across the record. The footage is ambient stock video chosen to underscore the mood of the tracks and not indicative of the proposed film aesthetic.
Project History
The Empathetic Leap project has evolved through distinct phases, each building upon the last and supported by various funding streams, illustrating a clear trajectory from theatrical origins to multi-platform dissemination. This timeline highlights the journey so far and the ambitious plans ahead.
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The project's genesis began with the theatre show 'On The Uncertainty of Signs', later renamed 'OG Crush'. This production premiered at Theatre Works in Melbourne, subsequently transferring to the Assembly Rooms for the Edinburgh Fringe, and the Phoenix Arts Club in London. Critics lauded the work as 'Brave and Beautiful' (Musical Theatre Review), 'Breathtaking to behold' (Theatre Weekly), and 'Entirely Unique' (Theatre Weekly), with The Age describing it as 'Breathtakingly sweet, achingly sorrowful in parts and acerbic in its wittiness'.
Funding: Theatre Works, Keep It Fringe Fund, Fringe Makers (Crowd Fund), Ticket Sales
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Following its theatrical success, the album of the show was meticulously recorded at Press Play Studios in Bermondsey, with acclaimed studio engineer Andy Ramsay at the helm. This crucial phase solidified the musical core of the project, transforming the live experience into a lasting audio work.
Funding: Generous $20,000 AUD grant from Creative Victoria
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The project is set to embark on the creation of 10 site-specific, single-take performance videos, with creatives already confirmed. This phase also includes a vital knowledge-sharing event and iterative feedback milestones, fostering community and refining the artistic output.
Funding (Proposed): Arts Council England (primary), PRS Foundation – Open Fund for Music Creators, UCL East Engage Seed Fund (knowledge sharing salon), Crowd funding
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The final phase focuses on widespread dissemination of the performance videos and album. This includes an online archive and a sustained social-media release campaign. Quarterly variety night salons will celebrate the iterative launch of new clips and songs, feature supporting artists, and catalyze discussion on thematic elements among key queer audiences.
Funding: Variety nights will be self-supporting through ticket sales. Online archive and social media amplification will rely on organic reach augmented by monthly paid social media campaigns, self-funded by the artist. Future funders will be engaged using the finished clips as collateral.
Brief lead artist bio
Will Hannagan is an Australian performance artist, songwriter and theatre-maker based in London whose 15-year practice moves between popular music, theatre, cabaret and performance. His work has been presented in Australia, the UK and the US, including at Midsumma Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Phoenix Arts Club and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. His music, previously released under the moniker Willing, has received BBC 6 Music and Australian radio play, while his theatre work has attracted national press and critical recognition. Empathetic Leap builds on this interdisciplinary practice.