Genuinely Confused Theatre Company is a new, neurodivergent-led theatre company creating inclusive, community-driven musical theatre.
Genuinely Confused Theatre Company is absolutely thrilled to be sponsored by the Autism & ADHD Assessment Hub for their upcoming production of I’m Autistic – A New Musical at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
I’m Autistic – A New Musical is a brand-new British show written by emerging autistic writer, Leonora Brooks. It follows three young autistic people – Lauren, Nat and Chloe – as they each face significant changes in their lives. The characters have different support needs and very different stories, showcasing a wide range of autistic experiences. The show shines a light on autistic lives and challenges the common misconceptions that often surround autism. It also puts neurodivergent performers centre stage and raises important conversations about inclusivity, mental health and the effects of ableism.
Representation of autism in film and theatre is often shaped by outdated or harmful stereotypes. This show takes a different approach, focusing on truthful storytelling and authentic casting. It will be performed at TheSpaceUK, Venue 45, from 8 to 23 August 2025, and we could not be more excited to share it with the world.
Genuinely Confused Theatre Company is a community interest company created by three young musical theatre artists: myself, Edward Turner and Leonora Brooks. We all trained at Bird College, where we first workshopped I’m Autistic – A New Musical last July. It was clear from the start that we shared a passion for creating opportunities for under-represented performers, especially those who are neurodivergent. Our company is a space where creativity and inclusion go hand in hand, and this project is a perfect example of that.
Bringing a show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a huge undertaking, both financially and physically, but we believe this show needs to be seen. As a non-profit company, we have raised our entire budget through fundraising, covering everything from venue hire, technical support and studio space to musical direction, props, set and – most importantly – fair pay for our cast and crew. We were determined to make this opportunity accessible for young and neurodivergent creatives, and that starts with valuing their time and talent.
We have an incredible team, made up mostly of neurodivergent performers, and we cannot wait to see them shine on stage.
Along the way, we’ve been working closely with a range of charities, businesses and trusts to bring this project to life. We’ve consulted with the National Autistic Society to ensure the script reflects a range of authentic experiences. We’ve also received funding from Kent Community Trust Foundation. Most recently, we approached the Autism and ADHD Assessment Hub to see if they might like to support the project. Their values around inclusion and supporting neurodivergent people aligned perfectly with ours, and we are so grateful to Racha and the team for coming on board. Their support means the world and this production simply would not be possible without it.
We are now very close to our fundraising goal, and to help us get there we’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign. If you would like to support us, here’s the link:
Crowdfunding page: https://crowdfund.edfringe.com/user/genuinely-confused-theatre-company/projects/dyR51vJn
Promo video: https://youtu.be/VPRWvqx_kcg?si=BGTMLv6PuygWm5pk
Website: Genuinely Confused Theatre Company | theatre company