RILKE - ONE MILLION WORDS
Los Angeles, California | Theatre
Experimental, Drama
Support Rilke and help bring the One Million Words project to life. Ivo Müller interprets the poet’s struggles on stage, reflecting on his own experiences as an immigrant and artist in the U.S. Originally developed in Brazil, this one-person show will now be performed in English for the first time.
RILKE - ONE MILLION WORDS
Los Angeles, California | Theatre
Experimental, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $10,286 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
33 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
Support Rilke and help bring the One Million Words project to life. Ivo Müller interprets the poet’s struggles on stage, reflecting on his own experiences as an immigrant and artist in the U.S. Originally developed in Brazil, this one-person show will now be performed in English for the first time.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Thank you for stopping by!
We're thrilled for the opportunity to bring this show to life! You can support this play to be as successful as possible by contributing to this campaign.
At least 80% of our goal has to be reached in order for us to be able to use the funds. Each dollar raised will go directly towards the production, as detailed in the "Wishlist" tab and Stretched Goals.
Follow the project on social media to join us every step of the way and see how your support is making this journey possible.
Once the show is up and running, more doors can open. We could expand and even live-stream the performance for friends, family, and audiences worldwide.
Synopsis
Rilke - One Million Words connects an actor in the present with a poet from the past. It tells the story of a writer who, for nearly a year, struggles to create poetry and can only express himself through letters. An actor uses these letters to navigate his own challenges as an immigrant in a country where even his name feels foreign, shaking the foundations of his identity.
Together, the poet and the actor explore themes of love, the creative process, and a sense of not belonging, highlighting the importance of being grounded in the present moment—topics that resonate deeply in today's world.
Photo Priscila Prade
Why Now?
In our fast-paced society, the pressure to constantly perform and produce can lead to burnout and disconnection. Author Byung-Chul Han, on his book The Burnout Society, argues that this relentless drive for efficiency not only exhausts individuals but also erodes meaningful connections with ourselves and others. In contrast, shows such as Rilke, in the theater, provide a vital space for contemplation and genuine human connection. In a world consumed by speed, this production offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and rediscover joy in the present moment.
Also, as we grapple with wars, violence, and the devastating impact of human suffering, Rilke's words serve as an antidote to the chaos. His ability to articulate the depths of human emotion provides a much-needed refuge amid the horrors of modern life.
Our show can act as a spiritual counterbalance, working towards illuminating the human experience and reminding us of our shared vulnerabilities, even as we navigate a landscape that feels increasingly divided.
Potential for Young Adult Audiences
After one of our table readings, a friend shared that she wished her teenage kids could experience Rilke. That’s one of our goals. Once ready to “hit the road,” this show has the potential to reach high school and college students, inspiring a new generation to embrace the beauty of the present moment and foster deeper connections with themselves and others.
Why Ivo?
I might not have a formal PhD, but when it comes to this writer, I’ve got a practical one from the school of life! I’ve spent over a decade exploring intersections of theater and storytelling in relation to Rilke’s work.
My journey began while teaching at a public school when I discovered copies of Letters to a Young Poet in the library. These copies had never been touched by students, so I decided to introduce them in class and later adapt the book for the stage.
I created two previous shows performed in Brazil: the first, a solo called Letters to a Young Poet (2010-2013), and then a revised version simply titled RILKE (2018-2020), also performed online during the pandemic, for audiences in the US and abroad.
Rilke resonated with me even more after I moved to the U.S., particularly in helping me understand my identity as someone navigating a new land.
While we await reviews in the US, here are some from our international audiences.
"Simply brilliant."
Ruy Jobim Neto, Aplauso Brasil
"The show embraces solitude as a philosophical choice and path to transcendence. Ivo Müller brings an inner intensity, sharp gaze, and precise temperament to this challenging role."
Jefferson Del Rios, O Estado de S. Paulo
“In this show of rare sensitivity - quiet, filled with imagery - the audience feels truly gifted. Intelligence, senses, words, and flesh. Here, art is understood as nourishment for the soul."
Fernando Klug, O Estado do Paraná
"The play presents a dense text, not meant to provoke laughter but to offer pleasure to the audience, such is the relevance of some of its words."
Audience reflexions during our “online pandemic performances”:
“It’s not only theater, it’s a healing process for those who watch it at a moment like the one we are going through.”
“Ivo’s solo performance is back, now online and to remind us that our inner life is infinite and isolation can mean reconnection.”
“I finally connected with my solitude through Ivo Müller’s version of poet Rilke on an amazing online performance.”
If you didn’t know the poet, you might’ve learned something from our video at the beginning. But who is the actor?
Photo Phill Lavra
Actor, teaching artist and producer, Ivo Müller is based in Los Angeles and has been living and working between Brazil and the U.S. for the last 5 years.
After discovering a love for live performance in middle school, he earned a B.A. in Law from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). However, he left behind a promising legal career to pursue his path in acting.
Ivo’s acting credits span numerous stage and film productions, notably Twelve Angry Men and Tabu—a critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning 2012 Portuguese film that received the Critics’ Best Picture Award at the Berlin Film Festival. Ivo has collaborated with major studios, including HBO, Sony, and Globo TV. Alongside his acting career, he also served as an acting coach in the award-winning documentary Cine Marrocos (2018), where he coached homeless people and refugees living in an abandoned movie theater in São Paulo.
Photo: Instagram
Arieta Corrêa is an award-winning actress/director from São Paulo and a leading talent of her generation in Brazil. She trained at the Center for Theater Research (CPT) under Antunes Filho, working with him for six years and starring in iconic productions such as Medea. She also performed in The Miser (O Avarento), a celebrated production directed by Felipe Hirsch that marked the final stage appearance of legendary actor Paulo Autran.
Beyond theater, Arieta has left her mark in film and television, with roles in telenovelas like O Rei do Gado and Amor de Mãe, as well as in films including Como Esquecer and VIPs, where she worked alongside actor Wagner Moura. For over a decade, she has partnered with Ivo Müller as the director of the Rilke project.
This is my life’s work, and it comes with high financial costs. That's why I'm seeking partnership and funding!
My campaign goal of $9,000.00 will help cover the costs of bringing my show to life, with performances scheduled for January 2025 in NYC.
This budget ensures I can continue rehearsing, preparing, and focusing on sharing my work at a historic venue in the heart of Chelsea, NY. It will also allow me to assemble a local crew, promote the show, and take that first big step toward launching the project.
These funds will contribute to:
- Renting the venue: $2,500 (Off Broadway space in NYC)
- Local crew: $2,000 - (The minimum crew we need there)
- Advertising/promoting the show: $3,000 (PR, Social Media, printed materials)
- Materials for performances in NYC: $ 1,500 (props, set, maintenance)
The show will premiere at Torn Page, a historic building in Chelsea, NYC, that was once home to legendary actors Geraldine Page and Rip Torn. This venue holds personal significance for me: in January 2015, I met Clark Middleton there, a mentor and friend who played a pivotal role in my journey from Brazil to the U.S.
We also need help spreading the word!
Support doesn’t have to be just financial! Here are some ways you can make a huge difference:
- Share the campaign link on social media or via email!
- Repost and follow Ivo’s work on Instagram and @rilke1millionwords
- Tell your friends who love supporting live art—who knows, they might be a Rilke fan!
Have your own idea for joining the project? Want to contribute in a unique way? Email us, and let’s explore the possibilities together!
Have a different idea on how you can join the project? Contact us.
Está no Brasil e acha difícil apoiar em U$? Acesse meu site e apoie o projeto através de um PIX.
Stretch Goal #1 - $15,000
Our base goal of $9,000 is the minimum needed to bring this show to life in NYC. But with your help, we can truly elevate it by fairly compensating the talented crew who bring their best to this production.
I've been working with an incredible costume designer and sound designer, and our set design—crafted from thousands of hand-dyed black tea envelopes—is a labor of love. We also have an assistant director, and I’d love to pay her more than just gas money!
If we raise $15,000 it will allow us to:
- Compensate the talented team members, including the costume designer, sound designer, and assistant director.
- Cover set design costs.
- Pay for costumes (at least 3 costume pieces)
Stretch Goal #2 - $20,000
If you’re ready to support us even further, reaching $20,000 will ensure fair compensation for me and our talented director, Arieta, recognizing the dedication we’ve put into this project. This funding will also allow us to continue collaborating and bring the show to Los Angeles for one live performance while creating a high-quality, multi-camera live-streamed version of the show on YouTube.
What this funds:
- Fair pay for the actor and director.
- Venue rental and promotion for one live performance in LA.
- A multi-camera, high-quality live-streamed version of the show.
Stretch Goal #3 - $30,000
Here we are being ambitious enough to think we can cover all the expenses listed on our production spreadsheet for at least one semester of work with our show. Yes, this is actually what we need to keep going.
With $30,000, we’ll be able to bring the show to Los Angeles for more performances, expand its reach through promotion, and deliver two high-quality live-streamed performances. Even more exciting, this funding will make it possible to take Rilke, One Million Words to the world’s largest theater festival—the Edinburgh Fringe 2025—covering venue rental, airfare, and affordable accommodations.
What this funds:
- Venue rental and promotion for 3 performances in LA
- Two high-quality, multi-camera live-streamed performances.
- Bringing Rilke, One Million Words to the Edinburgh Fringe, including venue rental, airfare, and accommodations.
The fundraiser will kick off during rehearsals in LA and run through performances in NYC.
Los Angeles & Online 2024
- November 24 - Table Reading & Campaign Launch Event
- December 3 - Work-in-Progress Rehearsal at Studio City Public Library, 6 PM
- December TBD - Online and in-person table readings with supporters and friends.
- December TDB - Rilke's Christmas letter reading on line and/or in person
New York 2025 (and at least one online on Zoom)
- January 3 & 4 - Open Rehearsals
- January 9-25 - Performances: Thursdays to Saturdays at 7 PM, at Torn Page (435 W 22nd St, Chelsea, NYC)
* Tickets on sale HERE for NYC
One of our long-term goals is to bring a pocket version of the production to the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2025.
If we reach our stretch goals—or if other miracles happen—here’s what’s on the horizon:
New York
One high-quality, live-streamed performance from NY.
Los Angeles 2025
- 3 performances (dates TBD)
- Live stream on YouTube (date TBD)
Scotland: August 1-25, 2025
- Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Renting the Venue
Costs $2,500
We have the chance to perform at Torn Page, NYC, a very special place to premiere this show in the U.S.
Local crew
Costs $2,000
Support the local crew. We need to hire a professional tech person and a stage manager to run the show.
Advertising/promoting the show
Costs $3,000
Help spread the word, bring audiences, and hopefully get some media! This will cover social media ads and a publicist.
Materials for performances in NYC
Costs $1,500
This covers essential maintenance costs for NYC, like printed materials, stage props such as envelopes, and costume repair.
Share this update!
About This Team
Besides Ivo Müller (actor, producer and writer) and
Arieta Correa (director)
We have a talented crew helping us create this version of RILKE - One Million Words.
Mariana, Arieta (who's been directing from Brazil) and me at my garage/rehearsal space.
Mariana Goulart
Assistant Director
Actress and producer from São Paulo, based in Los Angeles, Mariana has a B.A. in Acting at UNICAMP and is a Brazilian Portuguese Voice Actor for over 12 years. Since she moved to LA in 2010 Mariana had worked in many indie movies, but it was in dubbing career that she “found” her voice. She dubbed telenovelas, movies, documentaries, and audio description projects. Mariana is one of the most listened narrators in the meditation app Calm in Brazil. Director, script supervisor and quality control specialist for the Brazilian Portuguese section of the renowned meditation and mindfulness app Calm.
Sophia April Grose
Costume designer
Sophia April Grose is a BFA design graduate from the University of Southern California and is the resident costume designer at Village Arts Theatre and Culver City Public Theatre. Her recent theatrical costume design credits include How It’s Gon’ Be directed by Ahmed Best (Echo Theatre Company), Our Town (USC), the premier production of Trolls Jr. (Village Arts Theatre), and Gideon and the Blundersnorp (CCPT). As a Dean’s List and Magna Cum Laude graduate, she received the prestigious Ritchie M. Spencer Award for Excellence in Design and gained hands-on experience in themed entertainment dressing at Universal Studios Hollywood. Learn more about Sophia and her work at sgrose9.wixsite.com/portfolio.
Lucca Del Carlo
Light and video projection design
Designer and Video artist, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, based in NYC. Specialized in transmedia: mixing cinema techniques, concepts of architecture, visual arts, light design and technology, integrating those into the direction and creation of scenography, immersive environments and visual live shows(theater, advertising campaigns, events, photography, exhibitions, virtual reality and 360º video). News ways to break common patterns in visual expression. All ways of visual communication have interlacing points, not only using technology but also using human cognition and its related censorial illusions. That's where the transmedia experience starts.
John Zalewsky
Sound designer
Sound designer and composer with a rich background in visual arts, deeply influenced by the late theater auteur Reza Abdoh's work in the 1990s. He is currently a Culley Guest Artist and serves as the sound designer for Trope! (Fear Is a Villain). His extensive portfolio includes Off-Broadway projects such as Everything You Touch, Mayakovsky and Stalin at Cherry Lane, as well as AZAK at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre. Regionally, John has contributed to productions like Destiny of Desire at major theaters including Arena Stage and Goodman Theatre, and Hold These Truths across prominent venues like Pasadena Playhouse and The Latino Theater. His work spans other notable institutions like the Humana Festival, Boston Court Theatre, and Disney Hall, as well as international projects like Wilderness’ The Day Shall Declare It in London, which won a 2015 Ovation Award. John’s accolades include eight LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, 26 nominations, and several other prestigious honors, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in sound design and composition.
Leonardo Junqueira
Graphic designer
Senior Art Director, graduate of the Panamericana School of Art and Design, in São Paulo, with 15 years of industry experience and a passion for design. Worked with Ivo for the first time in 2018 the play Sutura, by Anthony Nielson, directed by Cesar Baptista. I first joined the Rilke project in 2021, designing the visual identity for its online version. Now, we've introduced a fresh approach, seeking a more contemporary aesthetic to engage an audience that may be unfamiliar with the life and work of poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
Jorge Teivelis Neto
Editor, Promo Video
Jorge Teivelis is a director whose passion for storytelling began during his design studies. Since then, he has worked in the film industry across various roles, including editing, cinematography, and directing. His portfolio includes commercials for major brands such as Budweiser, Samsung, and Ford. When he’s not on set, Jorge can be found climbing, trekking, or enjoying the outdoors in the mountains.
vimeo.com/jorgeteivelis Instagram: @jteneto
Domingas Person
Associated producer
Domingas is versatile entertainment professional with over 20 years of experience as a television presenter and reporter for major networks such as Telecine, Multishow, Canal Brasil, and TV Cultura. From 2014 to 2019, she hosted live broadcasts for TNT, covering prestigious entertainment events like the Oscars, Grammys, and Miss Universe, among others.
In addition to her television work, Domingas is an accomplished actress and producer. She trained at the renowned CPT (Centro de Pesquisa Teatral) and has performed in acclaimed productions such as Lamartine Babo by Antunes Filho and Harold Pinter's Celebration. Domingas has also been an associate producer of this Rilke Project since its inception. She is from São Paulo and based in Los Angeles, CA.
Helena Sroulevich
Associated producer
An economist and executive in the creative and entertainment market with extensive experience in developing multi-platform content, business plans, and in managing projects and campaigns while serving as an interface with national and international channels, producers, and distributors, raising funds and developing product placement and branded content actions. Coordination at all stages since the creation and co-creation to writing the script, including the project's format, the team and equipment’s schedule, elaborating and controlling the budget, supervising content, as well as the production, post-production, and marketing time chart. About 15 years working at both TV Globo and in independent production companies with experience of more than 20 years in leadership positions in the first, second, and third sectors with robust international experience having lived in different countries and being fluent in multiple languages.
Carolina Moreira
Assistant producer
Communicational studies student at UFRJ (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro) with a focus on cinema, TV, and theater. Has previous experience in documentary and short movie projects and theater production. Also works in many different segments of the artistic industry, such as photography, image/video editing, and social media management.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Thank you for stopping by!
We're thrilled for the opportunity to bring this show to life! You can support this play to be as successful as possible by contributing to this campaign.
At least 80% of our goal has to be reached in order for us to be able to use the funds. Each dollar raised will go directly towards the production, as detailed in the "Wishlist" tab and Stretched Goals.
Follow the project on social media to join us every step of the way and see how your support is making this journey possible.
Once the show is up and running, more doors can open. We could expand and even live-stream the performance for friends, family, and audiences worldwide.
Synopsis
Rilke - One Million Words connects an actor in the present with a poet from the past. It tells the story of a writer who, for nearly a year, struggles to create poetry and can only express himself through letters. An actor uses these letters to navigate his own challenges as an immigrant in a country where even his name feels foreign, shaking the foundations of his identity.
Together, the poet and the actor explore themes of love, the creative process, and a sense of not belonging, highlighting the importance of being grounded in the present moment—topics that resonate deeply in today's world.
Photo Priscila Prade
Why Now?
In our fast-paced society, the pressure to constantly perform and produce can lead to burnout and disconnection. Author Byung-Chul Han, on his book The Burnout Society, argues that this relentless drive for efficiency not only exhausts individuals but also erodes meaningful connections with ourselves and others. In contrast, shows such as Rilke, in the theater, provide a vital space for contemplation and genuine human connection. In a world consumed by speed, this production offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and rediscover joy in the present moment.
Also, as we grapple with wars, violence, and the devastating impact of human suffering, Rilke's words serve as an antidote to the chaos. His ability to articulate the depths of human emotion provides a much-needed refuge amid the horrors of modern life.
Our show can act as a spiritual counterbalance, working towards illuminating the human experience and reminding us of our shared vulnerabilities, even as we navigate a landscape that feels increasingly divided.
Potential for Young Adult Audiences
After one of our table readings, a friend shared that she wished her teenage kids could experience Rilke. That’s one of our goals. Once ready to “hit the road,” this show has the potential to reach high school and college students, inspiring a new generation to embrace the beauty of the present moment and foster deeper connections with themselves and others.
Why Ivo?
I might not have a formal PhD, but when it comes to this writer, I’ve got a practical one from the school of life! I’ve spent over a decade exploring intersections of theater and storytelling in relation to Rilke’s work.
My journey began while teaching at a public school when I discovered copies of Letters to a Young Poet in the library. These copies had never been touched by students, so I decided to introduce them in class and later adapt the book for the stage.
I created two previous shows performed in Brazil: the first, a solo called Letters to a Young Poet (2010-2013), and then a revised version simply titled RILKE (2018-2020), also performed online during the pandemic, for audiences in the US and abroad.
Rilke resonated with me even more after I moved to the U.S., particularly in helping me understand my identity as someone navigating a new land.
While we await reviews in the US, here are some from our international audiences.
"Simply brilliant."
Ruy Jobim Neto, Aplauso Brasil
"The show embraces solitude as a philosophical choice and path to transcendence. Ivo Müller brings an inner intensity, sharp gaze, and precise temperament to this challenging role."
Jefferson Del Rios, O Estado de S. Paulo
“In this show of rare sensitivity - quiet, filled with imagery - the audience feels truly gifted. Intelligence, senses, words, and flesh. Here, art is understood as nourishment for the soul."
Fernando Klug, O Estado do Paraná
"The play presents a dense text, not meant to provoke laughter but to offer pleasure to the audience, such is the relevance of some of its words."
Audience reflexions during our “online pandemic performances”:
“It’s not only theater, it’s a healing process for those who watch it at a moment like the one we are going through.”
“Ivo’s solo performance is back, now online and to remind us that our inner life is infinite and isolation can mean reconnection.”
“I finally connected with my solitude through Ivo Müller’s version of poet Rilke on an amazing online performance.”
If you didn’t know the poet, you might’ve learned something from our video at the beginning. But who is the actor?
Photo Phill Lavra
Actor, teaching artist and producer, Ivo Müller is based in Los Angeles and has been living and working between Brazil and the U.S. for the last 5 years.
After discovering a love for live performance in middle school, he earned a B.A. in Law from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). However, he left behind a promising legal career to pursue his path in acting.
Ivo’s acting credits span numerous stage and film productions, notably Twelve Angry Men and Tabu—a critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning 2012 Portuguese film that received the Critics’ Best Picture Award at the Berlin Film Festival. Ivo has collaborated with major studios, including HBO, Sony, and Globo TV. Alongside his acting career, he also served as an acting coach in the award-winning documentary Cine Marrocos (2018), where he coached homeless people and refugees living in an abandoned movie theater in São Paulo.
Photo: Instagram
Arieta Corrêa is an award-winning actress/director from São Paulo and a leading talent of her generation in Brazil. She trained at the Center for Theater Research (CPT) under Antunes Filho, working with him for six years and starring in iconic productions such as Medea. She also performed in The Miser (O Avarento), a celebrated production directed by Felipe Hirsch that marked the final stage appearance of legendary actor Paulo Autran.
Beyond theater, Arieta has left her mark in film and television, with roles in telenovelas like O Rei do Gado and Amor de Mãe, as well as in films including Como Esquecer and VIPs, where she worked alongside actor Wagner Moura. For over a decade, she has partnered with Ivo Müller as the director of the Rilke project.
This is my life’s work, and it comes with high financial costs. That's why I'm seeking partnership and funding!
My campaign goal of $9,000.00 will help cover the costs of bringing my show to life, with performances scheduled for January 2025 in NYC.
This budget ensures I can continue rehearsing, preparing, and focusing on sharing my work at a historic venue in the heart of Chelsea, NY. It will also allow me to assemble a local crew, promote the show, and take that first big step toward launching the project.
These funds will contribute to:
- Renting the venue: $2,500 (Off Broadway space in NYC)
- Local crew: $2,000 - (The minimum crew we need there)
- Advertising/promoting the show: $3,000 (PR, Social Media, printed materials)
- Materials for performances in NYC: $ 1,500 (props, set, maintenance)
The show will premiere at Torn Page, a historic building in Chelsea, NYC, that was once home to legendary actors Geraldine Page and Rip Torn. This venue holds personal significance for me: in January 2015, I met Clark Middleton there, a mentor and friend who played a pivotal role in my journey from Brazil to the U.S.
We also need help spreading the word!
Support doesn’t have to be just financial! Here are some ways you can make a huge difference:
- Share the campaign link on social media or via email!
- Repost and follow Ivo’s work on Instagram and @rilke1millionwords
- Tell your friends who love supporting live art—who knows, they might be a Rilke fan!
Have your own idea for joining the project? Want to contribute in a unique way? Email us, and let’s explore the possibilities together!
Have a different idea on how you can join the project? Contact us.
Está no Brasil e acha difícil apoiar em U$? Acesse meu site e apoie o projeto através de um PIX.
Stretch Goal #1 - $15,000
Our base goal of $9,000 is the minimum needed to bring this show to life in NYC. But with your help, we can truly elevate it by fairly compensating the talented crew who bring their best to this production.
I've been working with an incredible costume designer and sound designer, and our set design—crafted from thousands of hand-dyed black tea envelopes—is a labor of love. We also have an assistant director, and I’d love to pay her more than just gas money!
If we raise $15,000 it will allow us to:
- Compensate the talented team members, including the costume designer, sound designer, and assistant director.
- Cover set design costs.
- Pay for costumes (at least 3 costume pieces)
Stretch Goal #2 - $20,000
If you’re ready to support us even further, reaching $20,000 will ensure fair compensation for me and our talented director, Arieta, recognizing the dedication we’ve put into this project. This funding will also allow us to continue collaborating and bring the show to Los Angeles for one live performance while creating a high-quality, multi-camera live-streamed version of the show on YouTube.
What this funds:
- Fair pay for the actor and director.
- Venue rental and promotion for one live performance in LA.
- A multi-camera, high-quality live-streamed version of the show.
Stretch Goal #3 - $30,000
Here we are being ambitious enough to think we can cover all the expenses listed on our production spreadsheet for at least one semester of work with our show. Yes, this is actually what we need to keep going.
With $30,000, we’ll be able to bring the show to Los Angeles for more performances, expand its reach through promotion, and deliver two high-quality live-streamed performances. Even more exciting, this funding will make it possible to take Rilke, One Million Words to the world’s largest theater festival—the Edinburgh Fringe 2025—covering venue rental, airfare, and affordable accommodations.
What this funds:
- Venue rental and promotion for 3 performances in LA
- Two high-quality, multi-camera live-streamed performances.
- Bringing Rilke, One Million Words to the Edinburgh Fringe, including venue rental, airfare, and accommodations.
The fundraiser will kick off during rehearsals in LA and run through performances in NYC.
Los Angeles & Online 2024
- November 24 - Table Reading & Campaign Launch Event
- December 3 - Work-in-Progress Rehearsal at Studio City Public Library, 6 PM
- December TBD - Online and in-person table readings with supporters and friends.
- December TDB - Rilke's Christmas letter reading on line and/or in person
New York 2025 (and at least one online on Zoom)
- January 3 & 4 - Open Rehearsals
- January 9-25 - Performances: Thursdays to Saturdays at 7 PM, at Torn Page (435 W 22nd St, Chelsea, NYC)
* Tickets on sale HERE for NYC
One of our long-term goals is to bring a pocket version of the production to the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2025.
If we reach our stretch goals—or if other miracles happen—here’s what’s on the horizon:
New York
One high-quality, live-streamed performance from NY.
Los Angeles 2025
- 3 performances (dates TBD)
- Live stream on YouTube (date TBD)
Scotland: August 1-25, 2025
- Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Renting the Venue
Costs $2,500
We have the chance to perform at Torn Page, NYC, a very special place to premiere this show in the U.S.
Local crew
Costs $2,000
Support the local crew. We need to hire a professional tech person and a stage manager to run the show.
Advertising/promoting the show
Costs $3,000
Help spread the word, bring audiences, and hopefully get some media! This will cover social media ads and a publicist.
Materials for performances in NYC
Costs $1,500
This covers essential maintenance costs for NYC, like printed materials, stage props such as envelopes, and costume repair.
Share this update!
About This Team
Besides Ivo Müller (actor, producer and writer) and
Arieta Correa (director)
We have a talented crew helping us create this version of RILKE - One Million Words.
Mariana, Arieta (who's been directing from Brazil) and me at my garage/rehearsal space.
Mariana Goulart
Assistant Director
Actress and producer from São Paulo, based in Los Angeles, Mariana has a B.A. in Acting at UNICAMP and is a Brazilian Portuguese Voice Actor for over 12 years. Since she moved to LA in 2010 Mariana had worked in many indie movies, but it was in dubbing career that she “found” her voice. She dubbed telenovelas, movies, documentaries, and audio description projects. Mariana is one of the most listened narrators in the meditation app Calm in Brazil. Director, script supervisor and quality control specialist for the Brazilian Portuguese section of the renowned meditation and mindfulness app Calm.
Sophia April Grose
Costume designer
Sophia April Grose is a BFA design graduate from the University of Southern California and is the resident costume designer at Village Arts Theatre and Culver City Public Theatre. Her recent theatrical costume design credits include How It’s Gon’ Be directed by Ahmed Best (Echo Theatre Company), Our Town (USC), the premier production of Trolls Jr. (Village Arts Theatre), and Gideon and the Blundersnorp (CCPT). As a Dean’s List and Magna Cum Laude graduate, she received the prestigious Ritchie M. Spencer Award for Excellence in Design and gained hands-on experience in themed entertainment dressing at Universal Studios Hollywood. Learn more about Sophia and her work at sgrose9.wixsite.com/portfolio.
Lucca Del Carlo
Light and video projection design
Designer and Video artist, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, based in NYC. Specialized in transmedia: mixing cinema techniques, concepts of architecture, visual arts, light design and technology, integrating those into the direction and creation of scenography, immersive environments and visual live shows(theater, advertising campaigns, events, photography, exhibitions, virtual reality and 360º video). News ways to break common patterns in visual expression. All ways of visual communication have interlacing points, not only using technology but also using human cognition and its related censorial illusions. That's where the transmedia experience starts.
John Zalewsky
Sound designer
Sound designer and composer with a rich background in visual arts, deeply influenced by the late theater auteur Reza Abdoh's work in the 1990s. He is currently a Culley Guest Artist and serves as the sound designer for Trope! (Fear Is a Villain). His extensive portfolio includes Off-Broadway projects such as Everything You Touch, Mayakovsky and Stalin at Cherry Lane, as well as AZAK at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre. Regionally, John has contributed to productions like Destiny of Desire at major theaters including Arena Stage and Goodman Theatre, and Hold These Truths across prominent venues like Pasadena Playhouse and The Latino Theater. His work spans other notable institutions like the Humana Festival, Boston Court Theatre, and Disney Hall, as well as international projects like Wilderness’ The Day Shall Declare It in London, which won a 2015 Ovation Award. John’s accolades include eight LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, 26 nominations, and several other prestigious honors, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in sound design and composition.
Leonardo Junqueira
Graphic designer
Senior Art Director, graduate of the Panamericana School of Art and Design, in São Paulo, with 15 years of industry experience and a passion for design. Worked with Ivo for the first time in 2018 the play Sutura, by Anthony Nielson, directed by Cesar Baptista. I first joined the Rilke project in 2021, designing the visual identity for its online version. Now, we've introduced a fresh approach, seeking a more contemporary aesthetic to engage an audience that may be unfamiliar with the life and work of poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
Jorge Teivelis Neto
Editor, Promo Video
Jorge Teivelis is a director whose passion for storytelling began during his design studies. Since then, he has worked in the film industry across various roles, including editing, cinematography, and directing. His portfolio includes commercials for major brands such as Budweiser, Samsung, and Ford. When he’s not on set, Jorge can be found climbing, trekking, or enjoying the outdoors in the mountains.
vimeo.com/jorgeteivelis Instagram: @jteneto
Domingas Person
Associated producer
Domingas is versatile entertainment professional with over 20 years of experience as a television presenter and reporter for major networks such as Telecine, Multishow, Canal Brasil, and TV Cultura. From 2014 to 2019, she hosted live broadcasts for TNT, covering prestigious entertainment events like the Oscars, Grammys, and Miss Universe, among others.
In addition to her television work, Domingas is an accomplished actress and producer. She trained at the renowned CPT (Centro de Pesquisa Teatral) and has performed in acclaimed productions such as Lamartine Babo by Antunes Filho and Harold Pinter's Celebration. Domingas has also been an associate producer of this Rilke Project since its inception. She is from São Paulo and based in Los Angeles, CA.
Helena Sroulevich
Associated producer
An economist and executive in the creative and entertainment market with extensive experience in developing multi-platform content, business plans, and in managing projects and campaigns while serving as an interface with national and international channels, producers, and distributors, raising funds and developing product placement and branded content actions. Coordination at all stages since the creation and co-creation to writing the script, including the project's format, the team and equipment’s schedule, elaborating and controlling the budget, supervising content, as well as the production, post-production, and marketing time chart. About 15 years working at both TV Globo and in independent production companies with experience of more than 20 years in leadership positions in the first, second, and third sectors with robust international experience having lived in different countries and being fluent in multiple languages.
Carolina Moreira
Assistant producer
Communicational studies student at UFRJ (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro) with a focus on cinema, TV, and theater. Has previous experience in documentary and short movie projects and theater production. Also works in many different segments of the artistic industry, such as photography, image/video editing, and social media management.