FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY is a powerful one woman rock-musical both written and performed by Donna Williams, author of the international best seller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl and musically backed by accomplished pianist, David Moscoe. This is a unique opportunity to witness the author herself perform a story that has changed the lives of millions. Through vibrant song, characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word, Donna takes us on a journey from a seemingly deaf, psychotic, ’feral’ child to life on the streets and ultimately on to her fight for equality among others.

 

REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ WRITING:

She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before. NEW YORK TIMES

Evocative, poetic, compelling, shocking, gut wrenchingly moving. WEEKEND REVIEW

Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster. THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human. MODE

By turns fascinating and harrowing. PEOPLE MAGAZINE.

 

SHOW 1:

FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY @ Long Beach Memorial Medical Center

10/01/2010 12:00 PM

2801 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, Long Beach, California 90806

ENQUIRIES: brubin698(at)earthlink.net

or

ca-longbeach(at)autismsocietyofamerica.org

WEB:www.greaterlongbeach-asa.org

 

SHOW 2:

FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY @ The Missing Piece Theatre

12/01/2010 7:30 PM

2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA, 91505, Burbank, California 91505

PHONE: 818-506-4644.

EMAIL: actorsgroup@sbcglobal.net

WEB: www.theactorsgroup.net

 

SHOW 3:

FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY @ The Carriage House

16/01/2010 12:00 PM The Carriage House 25 S Pitney Road, Galloway, New Jersey 08205-9644, USA, 08205-9644

CONTACT: Isabelle Mosca

EMAIL: facesconference@yahoo.com

NOTE: please check with host for show time.

Back from a most grueling tour throughout the UK and to Ireland, I’ve seen over thousands of faces in 15 days, stood on chairs and tables, recited poetry to gestural signing, taken questions, orated with passion and sang Broken Biscuit from the musical Footsteps of a Nobody whilst The Aspinauts appeared behind me, projected onto a screen and musical played through the audio system as I sang rigged up with a wireless mic.

The audiences loved it with people asking where they can get Broken Biscuit.  Of course we’re working on it and hope to have it available soon on CD so watch this space.  In the meantime, you can still catch the last Melbourne performance of Footsteps of a Nobody for 2009 and come and see Broken Biscuit performed in the show.  In the meantime, here’s the slideshow.

warmly,

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

I’ve made a slideshow from the photos from the shows of Footsteps of a Nobody.  Hope you enjoy it.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

Just got back from doing the Footsteps of a Nobody show in Wodonga at the Wodonga Civic Centre.  It was hosted by Cooinda who did an incredible job flying 5 musos from Melbourne to Wodonga, sorting out all the equipment, theatre, ticketting, accomodation, transport, food, hospitality.  And the show was really well received with a good turnout. 

I performed the show on the stage but came down the central stairs and into the audience several times throughout the show, delivering the Shakesperian spoken word and songs directly amidst the audience.  I spoke to participants after the show.  There were men who had been crying.  There were people gobsmacked having seen nothing like this in their lives.  Mostly people were so enthused.  I seem to hear again and again that whilst they’re deeply rocked by the show (pardon the pun) participants seem to feel they were watching their own lives being played out up on the stage.  As a writer, actor, singer, performer, that is really nirvana, to take them to that space.

The Footsteps of a Nobody show is what is called inter-arts, or multi-arts, so it’s a really hard beast to label.  It’s a mixture of signing that at times might resemble deaf theatre.  It has characterisations of satire, comedy and Marcel Marceau, Shakespearian meter but the monologue shift into raps and break out into songs musically supported by The Aspinauts.  It has story and acting akin to a play yet it leaps in time and place like a trip with Alice down the rabbit hole into Wonderland.  The story takes people from surrealism to pathos, to comedy and a powerful shared humanity that seems to link up all present.

Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.

http://www.myspace.com/nobodynowherethefilm
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com

FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY Sat 31st Oct, The Guild Theatre, first floor, Union House, Melbourne University, Carlton, Victoria 3010

Footsteps of a Nobody is a powerful one woman rock-musical from Donna Williams, author of the international bestseller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and song it traces Donna’s pivotal experiences from a meaning deaf, meaning blind feral child to life on the streets and on to her ultimate fight to claim a place of equality among others.

REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ WRITING:
THE NEW YORK TIMES: She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before. PEOPLE MAGAZINE: By turns fascinating and harrowing.
WEEKEND REVIEW: Evocative, poetic, compelling, shocking, gut-wrenchingly moving.
DAILY TELEGRAPH: Powerful and unique.
MODE: Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human.
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Extraordinarily gripping.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster.

BOOK ONLINE:  http://union.unimelb.edu.au/theatre
INQUIRIES: bookings@donnawilliams.net
Disabled access is available.
Show is suitable for teens and adults
Show runs 8-9pm.

Donna Williams performing Footsteps of a Nobody, supported by The Aspinauts

• FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY  Thurs 3rd Sept, Lalor Library, May Rd, Lalor.  ONE NIGHT ONLY.   Footsteps of a Nobody is a powerful one woman rock-musical from Donna Williams, author of the international bestseller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and song it traces Donna’s pivotal experiences from a meaning deaf, meaning blind feral child to life on the streets and on to her ultimate fight to claim a place of equality among others.  REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ WRITING: THE NEW YORK TIMES: She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before. PEOPLE MAGAZINE: By turns fascinating and harrowing. WEEKEND REVIEW: Evocative, poetic, compelling, shocking, gut-wrenchingly moving. DAILY TELEGRAPH: Powerful and unique. MODE: Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Extraordinarily gripping. THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster.  7pm-8pm with question time to follow.  BOOKINGS: Bookings: 94656409 or email: LalorLLC@vicnet.net.au EVENT PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Lalor Living and Learning Centre.
  Disabled access is available.
  Show is suitable for teens and adults

• FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY  Sat 12th Sept, Wadonga Civic Centre, 106 Hovell St, Wadonga.  ONE NIGHT ONLY.   Footsteps of a Nobody is a powerful one woman rock-musical from Donna Williams, author of the international bestseller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and song it traces Donna’s pivotal experiences from a meaning deaf, meaning blind feral child to life on the streets and on to her ultimate fight to claim a place of equality among others.  REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ WRITING: THE NEW YORK TIMES: She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before. PEOPLE MAGAZINE: By turns fascinating and harrowing. WEEKEND REVIEW: Evocative, poetic, compelling, shocking, gut-wrenchingly moving. DAILY TELEGRAPH: Powerful and unique. MODE: Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Extraordinarily gripping. THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster.  7.30pm for 8pm show.  Show runs 8pm-9pm Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start (show runs 8-9pm and after the show there will be a discussion forum with Donna).  BOOKINGS: Ph: (02) 60564844 or EMAIL: cooindawodonga@optusnet.com.au   COST: $15 concession $25 others.   Sponsored by Cooinda.
  Disabled access is available.
  Show is suitable for teens and adults

• BALOOMBA-WOP Sat 26th Sept, Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 20 Princes St, Carlton North, Carlton North, Victoria 3054. Baloomba-wop, written and produced by Donna Williams and accompanied by The Aspinauts. Baloomba-wop is an interactive, off the wall, musical adventure for kids and kids at heart. It should appeal to fans of Dr Seuss, Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl. The land of Baloomba-wop is magically brought to life through the complete dag-dom of The Aspinauts and the gestural signing and characterisations of their storyteller-lead singer, Donna Williams. It runs for an hour and audience members are invited to actively participate throughout. Show runs 6-7pm.  Tickets at the door.  Cost: $5.00-$7.50

• FOOTSTEPS OF A NOBODY Sat 31st Oct, The Guild Theatre, first floor, Union House, Melbourne University, Carlton, Victoria 3010Footsteps of a Nobody is a powerful one woman rock-musical from Donna Williams, author of the international bestseller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and song it traces Donna’s pivotal experiences from a meaning deaf, meaning blind feral child to life on the streets and on to her ultimate fight to claim a place of equality among others. Show runs 8-9pm. REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ WRITING: THE NEW YORK TIMES: She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before. PEOPLE MAGAZINE: By turns fascinating and harrowing. WEEKEND REVIEW: Evocative, poetic, compelling, shocking, gut-wrenchingly moving. DAILY TELEGRAPH: Powerful and unique. MODE: Powerful enough to make one reassess what it means to be human. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING: Extraordinarily gripping. THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster. BOOKINGS: bookings@donnawilliams.net or tickets at the door.  BOOK ONLINE:  http://union.unimelb.edu.au/theatre
  INQUIRIES: bookings@donnawilliams.net
  Disabled access is available.
  Show is suitable for teens and adults

more info at:
http://www.aspinauts.com

The Aspinauts have been absolutely chuffed to have Paul back with us as drummer.  Every one of the Aspinauts is a unique character and Paul and his drumming were missed by the various Aspinauts who kept lamenting his absence.  Whilst he was still producing our first album so still kind of hanging out now and then with us, it’s great to have him back with the team and just in time for two shows of Footsteps of a Nobody, the first at Spencers Live on Friday Aug 14th and the other at Wodonga Civic Centre on Saturday Sept 12th.    Welcome back Paul.  We’ll go easy on ya

On SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 09 Footsteps of a Nobody, will play at Wodonga Civic Centre, 106 Hovell St, Wodonga.

Combining, gestural signing, avant garde poetry, powerfully evocative characterisations, and the theatrical musical surrealism, Footsteps of a Nobody will escort you to the heights and depths of our shared humanity.

Time: 7.30pm for 8pm start (show runs 8-9pm and after the show there will be a discussion forum with Donna).

BOOKINGS: Ph: (02) 60564844 or EMAIL: cooindawodonga@optusnet.com.au

COST: $15 concession $25 others

Sponsored by Cooinda.

REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ BOOKS:

THE NEW YORK TIMES:
She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before.
PEOPLE MAGAZINE:
By turns fascinating and harrowing…
WEEKEND REVIEW:
…evocative, poetic…compelling, shocking, gut-wrenchingly moving…
DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Powerful and unique.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL:
deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster.

Footsteps of a Nobody is getting a 2nd showing!

Footsteps of a Nobody is a powerful one woman rock-musical from Donna Williams, author of the international bestseller, Nobody Nowhere; Autobiography of an Autistic Girl. Through characterisations, gestural signing, evocative spoken word and song it traces Donna’s pivotal experiences from a meaning deaf, meaning blind feral child to homelessness and life as a domestic prostitute and on to her ultimate fight to claim a place of equality among others.

REVIEWS OF DONNA WILLIAMS’ BOOKS:
THE NEW YORK TIMES: She allows us to understand our own perceptions as never before.
PEOPLE MAGAZINE: By turns fascinating and harrowing…
WEEKEND REVIEW: …evocative, poetic…compelling, shocking, gut-wrenchingly moving…
DAILY TELEGRAPH: Powerful and unique.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: deserves every superlative a reviewer can muster.

BOOKINGS: 9329 8821

www.spenserslive.com.au
www.aspinauts.com

There is the Aspergers Syndrome Support Network which has monthly meetings but a lot of Aspies don’t know where else in Melbourne they can meet others with Asperger’s.  The band, Donna and The Aspinauts have attracted new people on the Autism spectrum who have come to our shows and those who’ve been to many of our shows quickly welcome newbies and introduce them to others.  So if you’re on the autism spectrum, socially isolated and wanting to meet others, come along to an Aspinauts show at various venues around Melbourne.  They’re always affordable, and they’re fun, silly, entertaining and very diversity-friendly with most of the members actually on the autism spectrum themselves including our usual door clerk!  To find where the band are performing visit our home page: http://www.aspinauts.com

See you there.

Warmly,

Donna Williams *)