I Wish My Life Was an RPG is a solo performance piece, written and performed by actress Ashphord Jacoway, being put on at The East Theatre at The Complex Theatre during The Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles. The Kickstarter has set a goal of $1,100 and will end on June 16, 2013. The official description:

“What was it like being a “nerd” before it was cool? Follow performer Ashphord Jacoway into a world of magic and wonder as we conquer cultural and social stereotypes, in and outside our geek community, and level up our confidence through poetry, spoken word, and movement.”

As a theatre major at Virginia Commonwealth University, Ashphord took a class on solo performance. In college, she had learned a lot about her African ancestry, but was still coping with years of rejection from the Black community simply for liking video games and anime. She melded her love of gaming culture with an open discussion about race and gender, and the first ten minutes of I Wish My Life Was an RPG was created! She received such an amazing response that she decided to keep developing the piece, taking it to anime conventions all over the east and west coasts. She then met director Mischa Livingstone, and through collaboration with her, the show was expanded and performed at Meltdown Comics’ Nerdist Theatre in 2012.

Funds will go toward paying the festival and venue fees and paying the crew (including our own Sarah the Rebel as PR). The show will be performed on June 16th and June 23rd at 2pm. Ashphord says:

“This show is my heart and soul. It’s everything. I wish someone had told me back when I was alone in my geekdom. We’ve all been there. Been outcast, been rejected, been misunderstood. Isn’t it time for a little self-validation? If I can save a life or open a mind, my show has a purpose. And if you can help me accomplish that, then we are all the stronger. I want to reach as many people as possible. If I can use my art to change or save a life, then I have truly lived as an artist.”

Isn’t that a wonderfully worthy cause? It won’t take much to reach her goal, and every dollar helps!

Rewards:

• $5 – A leveled up thank you e-mail, which includes pictures from the show and updates on the show’s success
• $10 – A SUPER leveled up signed flyer with a thank you note on the reverse, plus e-mail updates on the show’s success
• $15 – A SUPER leveled up signed flyer with a personal thank you note on the reverse, an I Wish My Life Was an RPG sticker, plus e-mail updates on the show’s success
• $25 – A SUPER leveled up signed flyer with a personal thank you note on the reverse, an I Wish My Life Was an RPG sticker, a mini special star rice crispie treat at the Theatre, plus e-mail updates on the show’s success
• $50 – SUPER world-5 level seating at the Theatre, a mini Yoshi egg-style organic white chocolate cheesecake at the show, and a personal thank you card. If you can’t attend, the secret recipe will be e-mailed to you with instructions and pictures. You’ll also get the e-mail updates on the show’s success.
• $100 – SUPER world-6 level seating at the Theatre, a mini Yoshi egg-style organic white chocolate cheesecake at the show, a personal thank you card, a poster signed by Ashphord and the director, Mischa, and e-mail updates on the show’s success
• $250 – SUPER world-7 level seating at the Theatre, a decorated, framed poster signed by the whole crew, and e-mail updates on the show’s success
• $500 – SUPER world-8 level seating at the Theatre, a decorated, framed poster signed by the whole crew, an invitation to the wrap party dinner cooked by Ashphord herself, and e-mail updates on the show’s success

Donate to the Kickstarter, reserve seats for the performance, and RSVP to the event on Facebook! You can also check out Ashphord’s official site and IMDB page.