Sources Of Support For Ukrainian Artists And Their Families

Cécilia Arnould-Rachner is a creative live entertainment director, who is currently working to support Ukrainian artists and their families. Cécilia began working with Dragone during The House of Dancing Water production, assisting the creative and project director, then worked closely with board members in Belgium.

Later, she became production manager and the main casting director. Cécilia has been casting people since her beginnings in the industry in Monaco for the Association Princess Grace, and then during the creation of The House of Dancing Water, other Dragone shows such as Taboo, The Han Show and Wuxi. In parallel, Cécilia has continued to perform herself, as well as working for Showtime Entertainment Production with stunt artists. Her career has taken her all over the world, from Europe to the Middle-East, India, China and beyond.

Cécilia is currently working in numerous ways – welcoming refugees to her home, raising funds and donations of supplies, as well as assisting in the logistics and communications practicalities for those who are travelling to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. She is scheduling schooling and recreational activities, on top of the immediate practicalities of food and shelter for people fleeing Ukraine, and is seeking legal advice from European lawyers and working in collaboration with various efforts.

Hi Cécilia, thank you for taking the time to talk with us at TheatreArtLife. Can you tell us about you, and your efforts to help the people of Ukraine during this difficult time?

As a casting director we are not only discovering talent, but giving an opportunity for it to fully grow and express. It definitely changes lives, and I believe we are actively part of more evolution in the performing world. During The Han Show, we clearly see how we were contributing to changing more by hiring individual people, something new and unique for China, who used to exclusively work with troupes. We opened a new area.

At the same period, we faced the invasion from Russia in Crimea, we already made conscious choice by prioritising the hiring of Ukrainian artists, to bring them out of this difficult situation, and place them in safety. Now sadly we are seeing the situation repeat itself, and it gets insanely worse.

My last casting trip (just before covid struck) was actually for Dragone’s upcoming projects and it was in Kharkiv city! To now see the city being bombed breaks my heart. I feel accountable for all people who met our way, especially artists, casting scouts, local partners. Being able to create a chain and path for all those in need is the least we can do.

I am glad that my casting journey allows me to have contacts in so many countries that we are now able to provide places where people can rest for a night or two, and meet trustful and lovely people on their way to a safe place out of the conflict. We have now safe locations for them in Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, France, and more.

We are all connected, we are all family! And one of the best images I can relate to is actually The House of Dancing Water theatre… all the people from B3 at the bottom of the theatre to Level 6  working together to make a show happen … shows us how we all are interdependent. Today, it’s time to prove it even more!

How can people help to support the people of Ukraine?

There are a few different ways:

Communicate

• This is important, so we have news of our Ukrainians friends.
• Share connections & information on how to bring people out of Ukraine (we are currently working on solutions to exit people out of Sumy city – please send me info if you know more about the situation there).
• Contact me if you have can provide a safe place to extend our connection in neighbouring countries.
• Bring awareness to what is truly happening.
• Get involved with other groups, such as Circus Stands With Ukraine, who are working as a platform for sharing practical help and information, including the following:

Get or Show Support

• Ukrainian artists who need work and have left the border, use the following form: CLICK HERE
• Ukrainian Circus Artists trying to get out of Ukraine fill in the following form: CLICK HERE
• Circuses & Circus Artists, Directors, Producers, Agents etc who would like to offer a job or home to a Ukrainian artist, please fill out the following form (If your name is not listed above, we have likely lost your offer to help amidst the excess workload, please fill out the form to be added: CLICK HERE

Share crowd funding

The link to donate and share is at: Donorbox or alternatively use the QR code.

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