Profit Sharing Philosophy
At Cocoa And Butter Productions, we believe that all artists deserve to be supported at every level. We believe our artists and performers are the ones doing the work, we profit share with everyone who performs with us.
So how does it work?
We divide whatever we make into shares. We take a share for our admin and organisation time and then each performer is allocated a share for every 10 minutes they did on stage. This means that the majority of the money is being given to those that perform.
Why are we doing this?
We don't want to profit off other peoples hard work. While we do spend a large amount of time each month organising and promoting the shows, the hard work on the night is done by whoever is performing. A lot of new artists can end up spending their money going to shows and their attempts to bring the world joy actually cost them. And we don't think that's right.
Doesn't that mean you're broke?
Yep, by profit sharing and not attempting to make money off our artists we are not running for profit, the majority of our time is donated and we are happy to do it.
Can I help?
Of course, you can. Just come to any show and you are already helping to support local, new and established artists.
Check out our shows...
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Diana was born in Australia but spent some of her teen years in New York giving her and American accent that is confusing to everyone she meets. From a young age she showed a passion for performing and storytelling which she has kept with her throughout the years. Now it is showcased in all of her comedy shows as well as when she works as an MC, writer and very occasionally on stage as an actress.
By day she runs her business Dems Designs, a multi media communications company focused on helping small businesses learn and become self sufficient in their marketing needs. She does everything from build websites and set up social media platforms to teaching clients how to effectively use their social media presence for real world sales and how to use their camera phone to get decent images on the run.
If you don't find her on stage or in front of her computer then she's probably out walking her dog, Bongo, who you may also see at a show from time to time.
Malika Elizabeth was born in 70’s Hollywood, to a White writer and a Black production assistant. Moving to Australia at the age of three she travelled between the two countries, also spending time living in Europe and Asia.
She has had a creative flair for story telling from a young age. After graduating from Sydney Girls High, Malika worked as an assistant in two high profile Los Angeles Production companies. She graduated from the University of Wollongong, with a BCA(writing) and a BA(Hons) in English. While at Uni she wrote and directed several short films. She went on to work at Foxtel for nearly a decade.
Malika has made twelve short films, written seven film scripts, two television scripts, a family memoir, a stage play and produced three children. Moving into performance, she has made several video clips; directed a theatre show and is co-directing a documentary about her great aunt, Jessie Mae Robinson, who wrote dozens of hit songs covered by the likes of Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley and Elvis Presley. Malika has also co-written and directed shows for the local community, and currently co-runs She’ll Be Right in Port Kembla, an all female variety show, largely featuring comics.
A professional musician for over two decades, Malika has played in bands: Roger Loves Betty, Jessemae and The Glamma Rays. She plays ukulele, guitar, bass guitar and the recorder. Her voice is rich and deep, and her original songs are soulful and uplifting. She has sung at a variety of events, from weddings to funerals, cabaret to TedX, and birthday parties for people from 3 to 80 years of age.
Malika has been in an orphanage in Asia, and warded off an armed robber at work in Corrimal. She is a survivor of decades of child abuse, and successfully had her perpetrator sentenced. She also rescued her son from a speeding car in a building, by running towards it and flying through the air, son in arms. It was then that Malika’s alter ego Titanimum was born.
As a comedian and public speaker, Malika blends all of her skills and experiences together, adding funny songs to honest observations about her life. She doesn’t hold back in telling her truth and is a superhero mum, at least, in her own mind.
Check out our shows...