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About the Project
On the Eve of Abolition is an original, bilingual (Spanish-English), multimedia and mask/puppet theater performance by Papel Machete. Based on current conditions in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, the story is set in 2047 on the last day of the last prison in transnational liberated lands of southern North America. A movement of abolitionists have created the conditions to end the prison industrial complex. There are abolition camps, formerly incarcerated people, families, and organizers outside, and from within, prisoners organized in this final moment to end all prisons. On the Eve of Abolition is developed and performed by artists and collaborators of Papel Machete.
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On the Eve of Abolition Swag $2,000
We’ve transformed much of the imagery from the play into t-shirts, stickers, pins, bandanas, tarot cards, posters and more to sell at each performance. Sales for our swag go directly back into our cultural work and help us promote a vision of prison abolition.
Meals / per diem $3,000
We provide a modest per diem to each artist while on tour to help cover the high cost of food everywhere. Cast and crew members often pool their funds and share food through collective cooking and shared meals where possible. This level helps us offset some costs for food while traveling.
Support for our incarcerated comrades $5,000
We dedicate 7-10% of our project budget to stipends for Krystal Clark (Michigan) and Pitt Panther (Maryland) to help with commissary, phone/email fees, and for art commissions.
Tour Housing $10,000
We do not use AirBnB or other platforms that displace and disrupt local communities. We find accommodations at hotels, university/presenter provided housing, and, where possible, solidarity housing while prioritizing keeping the crew close together for ease and safety while on tour.
Travel & Luggage $30,000
This play includes a cast and crew of 20 puppeteers, musicians, a lighting designer and a stage manager. We travel with 15-20 suitcases full of puppets, masks, props, and costumes. This level of support helps covers flights and luggage fees to bring On the Eve of Abolition to 2-3 cities in Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Project Update + Support
In 2022, we presented a work-in-progress of On the Eve of Abolition at Cara Mía Theatre’s Latinidades Festival in Dallas, TX. In early 2023, we filmed special scenes in Bulbancha (New Orleans) and in winter of the same year, premiered the play to sold out shows in Santurce, Puerto Rico. In summer 2024 we collaborated with puppeteers in Brooklyn to film new scenes for the story, and in fall 2024, we presented our U.S. premiere at Emerson’s Paramount Theater in Boston, MA to an audience of nearly 2,000.
We have received incredible support to create and develop this project to where it is today. We are now raising funds to support the rest of our tour in 2025-2026.
In the next two years, we plan to bring the play to Puerto Rico, New Orleans, and New York City. Funds raised will support artist fees, travel costs, food and accommodations while on the road, as well as continued support for our incarcerated collaborators.
About Papel Machete
Papel Machete is a radical theater and puppetry collective that produces and performs original work throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. The collective started on May 1, 2006, during the government shutdown, in response to the economic and political crisis generated by the status of Puerto Rico as a colony of the U.S. Using papier mâché as its main medium, Papel Machete explores a wide range of artforms and styles, including toy theater, cantastorias, shadow theater, table-top puppetry, masks, performing objects, and giant puppets.
"Now is the time. With love, not fear."
-Mumia Abu Jamal
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$15.00 was anonymously donated and fees were generously covered
Daniel Toner donated $50.00
janet orlandini-mayes donated $26.63
Magali Lerman donated $10.52
Ada Haiman donated $21.04