| Another Great Marketing Dog Article Topic: Fringe Festivals Part 1: About by Slash Coleman |
What is a Fringe Festival?
Once, only a term heard in a few select cities, (mostly outside the United
States), fringe festivals now seem to be popping up everywhere. Since when
did places like Boulder, CO, Washington DC or even Asheville, NC become
fringe destinations? With everyone wanting to get in on the fringe action, it's
good to know what you may be getting yourself into before you pack up and
head out into the great fringe yonder. (See my article on fringing it in Theater
Bay Area Magazine).
Separate and Not Equal
You'd think....a fringe is a fringe is a fringe.... You'd think.... right? Wrong.
Unfortunately, a lot of groups are using the word fringe in their name in as a
way to give some credibility to what, by all accounts, is just a regular ol' theater
festival.
For instance, have you heard of the The New York Fringe Festival? It is a theater
festival that uses the word "fringe" in it's name, but guess what? It doesn't
adhere to the fringe principals. The Berkshire fringe in Massachusetts? The
same. It can be misleading. So how can you know if you're really fringing?
Easy.... many of the fringes still follow the traditions set forth in the true "fringe"
festivals like Edenbrough or San Francisco. If you're scanning the Internet for a
true "fringe," look for low entry fees, no curators, and a lottery system for show
selection. Below I explain what a "true fringe" is in more detail. See my article
"Fringe Festivals Part 2: Where" to find out where you can apply.
1) After you find a Fringe Festival in a city where you'd like to perform, you'll
apply either on-line, in person or by mail and send in a very meager application
fee somewhere in the $35 range, your application is put into the great big fringe
hat and you and your production are selected by a lottery system. (No one asks
you to submit a script or a resume) Applications are usually taken during a 1-2
month period about 8 months before the festival, so it takes some per-planning
to apply.
2) Once you receive notice of your acceptance, you usually have to pay a fee in
the $400-$800 range. This covers what the fringe will provide you with. When
you consider the price for a theater rental for one night, fringe costs are a total
steal!
What do you get?
The Fringe provides a venue for you to perform your show 5-10 times over a two
week period. Time slots are divided up equally. For instance you may get a
Monday at 2:00 in the afternoon which totally bites and you may get a coveted
Friday at 8:00 pm slot. It's typically random, so no one plays favorites. If
anything, if you're an out of towner you'll get a better opportunity by the festival
coordinators, to do special sneak-preview performances to promote your show.
3) You'll most likely get at least one 3 hour rehearsal in the space. The fringe
will also provide a tech person that will read a basic tech plot-line and simple
lighting cues, a ticket taker, a house manager and ushers. You usually provide
your own stage manager.
4) Fringe shows need to run under 60-minutes, although some venues provide
a number of 90-minute slots. Run over 60-minutes and you'll find ourself in the
dark as the house manager is authorized to stick to the schedule. I've seen the
stage go dark many a time towards the end of a show. Also, you get 15 minutes
before and after each show. With that in mind, story is key...props, not so much.
What else do you get?
1) The best fringes will give you a pass to see as many of the other shows as
you wish between your performances.
2) You get 100% of your box office ticket sales, except for tickets included in
fringe passes. Usually, you get to settle up after each show (besides credit
card sales and checks). This money is divided up and sent to you within 30
days.
3) You get to be a part of an elite group of artists doing exactly what you love to
do.... creating edgy, beautiful and wild-ass theater. With that said, it's a lot like
summer camp and the friendships you make during fringe time will last a
lifetime.
Other things to consider?
Some fringes allow you to bring your own venue. For example, one popular
show at the San Francisco fringe was done on a bus that stopped at various
bars. Audience members bought tickets and boarded the bus and went on an
hour ride in which the actors were on board as well. Another show was
performed in a swimming pool at the YMCA.
Basically, for 2-4 weeks, performance artists, one-man and one-women
shows, chainsaw jugglers, street performers, dancers, sword swallowers,
theater companies and anyone with an act willing to perform descends upon
the city.
Most acts don't necessarily have to be "polished" per say or even finished
during the time of application and many performers use the fringe to showcase
new work.
With some marketing savvy, the potential to have your act be seen, make
important networking connections, and make some money is all there. How
much can you make? See my next article, "Fringe Festivals Part 3: Marketing,"
to find that out.
Once, only a term heard in a few select cities, (mostly outside the United
States), fringe festivals now seem to be popping up everywhere. Since when
did places like Boulder, CO, Washington DC or even Asheville, NC become
fringe destinations? With everyone wanting to get in on the fringe action, it's
good to know what you may be getting yourself into before you pack up and
head out into the great fringe yonder. (See my article on fringing it in Theater
Bay Area Magazine).
Separate and Not Equal
You'd think....a fringe is a fringe is a fringe.... You'd think.... right? Wrong.
Unfortunately, a lot of groups are using the word fringe in their name in as a
way to give some credibility to what, by all accounts, is just a regular ol' theater
festival.
For instance, have you heard of the The New York Fringe Festival? It is a theater
festival that uses the word "fringe" in it's name, but guess what? It doesn't
adhere to the fringe principals. The Berkshire fringe in Massachusetts? The
same. It can be misleading. So how can you know if you're really fringing?
Easy.... many of the fringes still follow the traditions set forth in the true "fringe"
festivals like Edenbrough or San Francisco. If you're scanning the Internet for a
true "fringe," look for low entry fees, no curators, and a lottery system for show
selection. Below I explain what a "true fringe" is in more detail. See my article
"Fringe Festivals Part 2: Where" to find out where you can apply.
1) After you find a Fringe Festival in a city where you'd like to perform, you'll
apply either on-line, in person or by mail and send in a very meager application
fee somewhere in the $35 range, your application is put into the great big fringe
hat and you and your production are selected by a lottery system. (No one asks
you to submit a script or a resume) Applications are usually taken during a 1-2
month period about 8 months before the festival, so it takes some per-planning
to apply.
2) Once you receive notice of your acceptance, you usually have to pay a fee in
the $400-$800 range. This covers what the fringe will provide you with. When
you consider the price for a theater rental for one night, fringe costs are a total
steal!
What do you get?
The Fringe provides a venue for you to perform your show 5-10 times over a two
week period. Time slots are divided up equally. For instance you may get a
Monday at 2:00 in the afternoon which totally bites and you may get a coveted
Friday at 8:00 pm slot. It's typically random, so no one plays favorites. If
anything, if you're an out of towner you'll get a better opportunity by the festival
coordinators, to do special sneak-preview performances to promote your show.
3) You'll most likely get at least one 3 hour rehearsal in the space. The fringe
will also provide a tech person that will read a basic tech plot-line and simple
lighting cues, a ticket taker, a house manager and ushers. You usually provide
your own stage manager.
4) Fringe shows need to run under 60-minutes, although some venues provide
a number of 90-minute slots. Run over 60-minutes and you'll find ourself in the
dark as the house manager is authorized to stick to the schedule. I've seen the
stage go dark many a time towards the end of a show. Also, you get 15 minutes
before and after each show. With that in mind, story is key...props, not so much.
What else do you get?
1) The best fringes will give you a pass to see as many of the other shows as
you wish between your performances.
2) You get 100% of your box office ticket sales, except for tickets included in
fringe passes. Usually, you get to settle up after each show (besides credit
card sales and checks). This money is divided up and sent to you within 30
days.
3) You get to be a part of an elite group of artists doing exactly what you love to
do.... creating edgy, beautiful and wild-ass theater. With that said, it's a lot like
summer camp and the friendships you make during fringe time will last a
lifetime.
Other things to consider?
Some fringes allow you to bring your own venue. For example, one popular
show at the San Francisco fringe was done on a bus that stopped at various
bars. Audience members bought tickets and boarded the bus and went on an
hour ride in which the actors were on board as well. Another show was
performed in a swimming pool at the YMCA.
Basically, for 2-4 weeks, performance artists, one-man and one-women
shows, chainsaw jugglers, street performers, dancers, sword swallowers,
theater companies and anyone with an act willing to perform descends upon
the city.
Most acts don't necessarily have to be "polished" per say or even finished
during the time of application and many performers use the fringe to showcase
new work.
With some marketing savvy, the potential to have your act be seen, make
important networking connections, and make some money is all there. How
much can you make? See my next article, "Fringe Festivals Part 3: Marketing,"
to find that out.
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If you feel like you've been
spinning your wheels with your art
career, this book will give you
practical steps to make changes
that you will see instantly >more
spinning your wheels with your art
career, this book will give you
practical steps to make changes
that you will see instantly >more
| © Slash Coleman 2006 |
