The Mother Lode is a woman's journey of integration. It’s vital that we explore the lonely, tender, and unspoken dark parts of a mother’s heart that live side by side with the light and love.
The Mother Lode is a woman's journey of integration. It’s vital that we explore the lonely, tender, and unspoken dark parts of a mother’s heart that live side by side with the light and love.
in partnership with
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Story
Mission Statement
Our ensemble includes five actresses over the age of 35. Behind the camera I've committed to hiring women in key crew positions including the Director of Photography and Assistant Director.About The Project
The Mother Lode is a rich and funny take on grief and motherhood that breaks with the easy jokes and status quo stories of terrible twos and sleepness nights.
THE STORY
In The Mother Lode we meet Margaret, a whirlwind of creative mothering. Pizza box-turned-solar powered oven to make solar powered s’mores? (Watch Mario Batali & Margaret) That’s the lady! Homemade obstacle courses that rival a Pinterest junkie’s dreams? She’s on it! Practicing positive parenting techniques to meet the big feelings of her little guy? You know her! But Margaret's creative life beyond motherhood becomes second banana to raising a little one who needs the best of her presence and compassion. The recent death of her father, Frank and the return of an old friend put Margaret at a crossroads. The intersection of Margaret's love of her son, and the fear underneath is the thread that runs through The Mother Lode.
MY VISION
The Mother Lode offers a comedic heroine whose very best intentions lead her down an unexpected awakening to some very funny and very painful truths. About life. About loss. About love.
I have had plenty of conversations with moms who weigh the cost (not money but emotional currency) with the price of a few hours of freedom to live in the "Self We Were" before we became "Mama". Margaret in The Mother Lode playfully and richly lays bare her own journey in negotiating that emotional currency. The Mother Lode also explores a tricky father/daughter relationship between Margaret and her dead father, Frank. Margaret's mom friends and a single friend from her past illuminate themes that challenge our beliefs about female friendships. How Margaret moves through the dichotomy of darkness and light that steers her idea of motherhood is to see a woman of action who is wrestling with the death of her father. And the death of her identity.
Incentives
$10
Social Media Shoutout
Thank you, thank you! We'll make you a personalized Mother Lode icon on our social media accounts for you to share. Because you're really cool! Cooler than those fidget spinners! And we are so happy to have you as part of our Mother Lode family of supporters!
$20
Snick-Snack Recipe
Snick-snack, snickety-snack. The character of Margaret is a mother who puts a lot of love into her homemade snacks. This perk is a way to bring a little of that love into your home! We'll email you a snick-snack recipe that appears in The Mother Lode. Kooky, delicious treats your little one (or just you and your boo) can enjoy!
$50
The Mother Lode Rap
The character of Margaret is a whirlwind of creative energy who's got dance moves and made-up songs out the wazoo to entertain her little guy. And so do we! Answer a few fun questons and the writer of The Mother Lode, Theresa Gambacorta or cast member and lyricist Gaby Gold, will send you a video singing your own personalized rap song. They're gonna make some rhymes for your generous dimes!
$75
Snick-Snack Recipe Book
Mama! I'm hungry! Want more tasty treats for delicious fun at the park? We'll email you the entire Snick-Snack Recipe Book of fantastical homemade kid-treats that are Mother Lode inspired.
$100
Homemade Solar Powered Oven
Let's start a solar powered snack revolution! We'll send you the official Mother Lode solar powered oven so you can make some solar powered s'mores. Snick-Snack Recipe Book included.
$250
Name a Principal Character
It's kinda like picking a baby name! Your partner didn't like Hans or Birdie? The Mother Lode welcomes you to bestow your special name selection on one of our Principal Characters: 3 female and 1 male waiting for their character names. Help bring them to life!
You'll also receive:
- All of the above perks!
Claimed: 1 of 4
$275
Story Coaching Session with Theresa Gambacorta
For over a decade, Theresa Gambacorta, creator of The Mother Lode, has worked in theatre and the solo show genre as a writer, performer and coach for other actors. If you have an idea for a solo show, a film or web series, then this is the perk for you! Theresa will read any of your written material and will provide an in-depth two-hour session with feedback, notes and a custom action plan to move your project off the page and into the world. Clients have likened her to a mid-wife, so what are you waiting for?
$300
Private Screening
I wanna' go first! See all episodes of The Mother Lode at a private screening that includes plenty of snick-snacks and wine! What a treat to see The Mother Lode along with the cast and crew. You're gonna' stay up past bedtime...and then I'm gonna' rap you to sleep.
Claimed: 0 of 50
$500
Associate Producer
At this level, you are basically a midwife! That calm, powerful force that stands by us and says with conviction: "Breathe. You can do this." You will be listed as an Associate Producer of the series, both on our website, in the credits of our episodes, and on IMDb.com. And we will love you forever for your generous support.
$1,000
Executive Producer
You believe in us like no one else! You recognize our potential to soar! Your love is unconditional and you want to bring our project to life and see us through to all of our passionate goals! Sound familiar? Your support is unparalled and YOU would be our guests of honor at The Mother Lode party to be held at Little Owl:The Townhouse. I will write a rap for you, perform it, make up a bona fide dance routine with a cast member and celebrate your generosity for supporting The Mother Lode.
Your Executive Producer Package includes ALL OF THE PERKS. You. Are. Amazing.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Social Media Shoutout
Thank you, thank you! We'll make you a personalized Mother Lode icon on our social media accounts for you to share. Because you're really cool! Cooler than those fidget spinners! And we are so happy to have you as part of our Mother Lode family of supporters!
$20
Snick-Snack Recipe
Snick-snack, snickety-snack. The character of Margaret is a mother who puts a lot of love into her homemade snacks. This perk is a way to bring a little of that love into your home! We'll email you a snick-snack recipe that appears in The Mother Lode. Kooky, delicious treats your little one (or just you and your boo) can enjoy!
$50
The Mother Lode Rap
The character of Margaret is a whirlwind of creative energy who's got dance moves and made-up songs out the wazoo to entertain her little guy. And so do we! Answer a few fun questons and the writer of The Mother Lode, Theresa Gambacorta or cast member and lyricist Gaby Gold, will send you a video singing your own personalized rap song. They're gonna make some rhymes for your generous dimes!
$75
Snick-Snack Recipe Book
Mama! I'm hungry! Want more tasty treats for delicious fun at the park? We'll email you the entire Snick-Snack Recipe Book of fantastical homemade kid-treats that are Mother Lode inspired.
$100
Homemade Solar Powered Oven
Let's start a solar powered snack revolution! We'll send you the official Mother Lode solar powered oven so you can make some solar powered s'mores. Snick-Snack Recipe Book included.
$250
Name a Principal Character
It's kinda like picking a baby name! Your partner didn't like Hans or Birdie? The Mother Lode welcomes you to bestow your special name selection on one of our Principal Characters: 3 female and 1 male waiting for their character names. Help bring them to life!
You'll also receive:
- All of the above perks!
Claimed: 1 of 4
$275
Story Coaching Session with Theresa Gambacorta
For over a decade, Theresa Gambacorta, creator of The Mother Lode, has worked in theatre and the solo show genre as a writer, performer and coach for other actors. If you have an idea for a solo show, a film or web series, then this is the perk for you! Theresa will read any of your written material and will provide an in-depth two-hour session with feedback, notes and a custom action plan to move your project off the page and into the world. Clients have likened her to a mid-wife, so what are you waiting for?
$300
Private Screening
I wanna' go first! See all episodes of The Mother Lode at a private screening that includes plenty of snick-snacks and wine! What a treat to see The Mother Lode along with the cast and crew. You're gonna' stay up past bedtime...and then I'm gonna' rap you to sleep.
Claimed: 0 of 50
$500
Associate Producer
At this level, you are basically a midwife! That calm, powerful force that stands by us and says with conviction: "Breathe. You can do this." You will be listed as an Associate Producer of the series, both on our website, in the credits of our episodes, and on IMDb.com. And we will love you forever for your generous support.
$1,000
Executive Producer
You believe in us like no one else! You recognize our potential to soar! Your love is unconditional and you want to bring our project to life and see us through to all of our passionate goals! Sound familiar? Your support is unparalled and YOU would be our guests of honor at The Mother Lode party to be held at Little Owl:The Townhouse. I will write a rap for you, perform it, make up a bona fide dance routine with a cast member and celebrate your generosity for supporting The Mother Lode.
Your Executive Producer Package includes ALL OF THE PERKS. You. Are. Amazing.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Theresa Gambacorta
Writer-Director, Actress (Margaret)
Theresa is an actress, writer and director who has appeared in commercials, stage and independent film. Her first solo play, La Magnani, about the life of Italian actress Anna Magnani, was directed by Elizabeth Kemp and debuted Off-Broadway in 2007. Since then she has developed and directed over a dozen solo projects that have played across the country from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles. The Mother Lode marks her film directorial debut. She lives in Hoboken with her husband, Jason and their son, Levi.
Natalie Johnson
Producer
Natalie is a writer, director, producer and actress. Her short film Laura most recently screened at The Socially Relevant Film Festival in New York City. Her debut short film, Roses in Winter won Best Short at The Women's International Film Festival. Most recently on stage, Natalie's play, Family Picnic which she wrote and directed, was produced at The New York Theater Festival, where it won in the Best Actress category. As an actor she has appeared in numerous Off & Off-Off Broadway shows in New York, performing in such places as Theater Row, 4th Street Theater, Dixon Place and CenterStage.
Bri Castellini
Co-Producer, Assistant Director
Bri Castellini has an MFA in Writing and Producing for Television and a BA in Creative Writing, studying in New York and Oregon, respectively. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her partner and works as the Community Liaison for Stareable.com. She is the creator, writer, producer, and star, among other things, of the award-winning comedic zombie web series Brains, the executive producer (among other things) for the sci-fi time travel web series Relativity, and the associate producer for the web series Stray and History. You can find more about Bri at her decade-old blog BrisOwnWorld.com or her professional portfolio BriCastellini.com. She makes most of her friends on Twitter.
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