San Diego Fringe Festival

Saturday, June 22, 2013

San Diego Fringe Festival | San Diego Reader

Thursday, May 2, 2013

San Diego Fringe Festival - FAQ's by Todd Blakesley

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Frequently Fringed Questions

This FAQ answers some of the top questions asked. For other questions please contact the department heads listed below.

l Now that I’ve been selected to perform in the Fringe, what next?

Here are the key dates to remember.

MAY 13 - Fringe Arts Mixer

MAY 31 - All promotional materials must be turned in.

JULY 1-4 - Technical Rehearsal

JULY 5-7 - Performance

l What is the Fringe Arts Mixer?

Explore the multi-venue 10th Avenue theatre. Network with other Fringe artists. Presentations include: “Producing Your Work for the Fringe.”

When: Monday, May 13, 2013 at 6:30pm

Where: The 10th Avenue Theatre - 930 10th Avenue (1/2 block South of Boadway - downtown)

l What kind of promotional materials are needed?

IMPORTANT: All promotional materials must be sent electronically. Specifications will be sent to you from our Media Director, Patrick Stewart.

1. Show Logo - this a photo or graphic that will appear in the Official Fringe Program. It is small, so don’t make it busy with detail. Simple, bold images work best. It can be a photo or an illustration. Check other Fringe websites for examples.

2. Production Photo - This is a photo of your show that will sent to our print media list. It may also be used on our website. Whether in performance or staged it should be limited to 2 to 3 actors. (1 actor if it’s a solo show... duh). It can include a unusual prop or other visual that helps capture a sense of your story.

3. Synopsis of show - 30 word or less description of your story/performance that will appear in the Fringe Program.

4. Cast List, BIO of key cast members, company history. Include any unique information that can be used as a story angle or a notable tie to San Diego.

l How is the Technical Rehearsal handled?

Complete instructions will be sent to you from the FringeTechnical Director, ? ? ?. -- But here’s a brief overview:

1. WHEN: Between July 1 - 4 (Mon - Thu) you will be assigned a time slot by the Technical Director in order to to set cues for lighting and sound and to allow your cast to get familiar with the performing area.

2. WHO: If you are LOCAL COMPANY, then YOU or your Principle Company Contact (stage manager, technical director, etc.) must be available for your technical rehearsal assignment ANYTIME between 9:00am and 10:00pm Monday through Thursday (July 1 - 4). -- If you are from OUT OF TOWN you must let us know when you will be arriving so that we can schedule your tech. THERE ARE NO TECHNICAL REHEARSALS AFTER THURSDAY JULY 4.

3. TIME: The amount of time assigned will be based on the length of your show, NOT on its complexity. So it’s best to keep props and cues simple. - In general, the amount of time allowed will be 2 1/2 to 3 times the running time of your show. But the final determination is at the sole discretion of the Fringe Technical Director.

4. LIGHTING: Most venues will utilize a Festival Light Plot, meaning the performance area will be lit in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 sections (depending on its size). You can adjust the lighting in any or all of these areas. HOWEVER, even working at top speed it can take up to 5 minutes to set a cue. 10 cues can easily take up an hour of your rehearsal time. - So ask yourself: “What lighting changes do I really need?”

5. SOUND: Check your venue for the proper format in which to supply your sound. In most cases it will be a CD. Here again, the setting of cues can take significant time. So ONLY provide those sounds cues (music and effects) you absolutely need.

6. SET & PROPS: Check your venue to verify if it has storage capacity for your sets or props. Some do not, so it may be necessary to load in and out for each of your performances. Even for those venues that have some storage, if you have irreplaceable props or costumes TAKE THEM AWAY after every performance. The Fringe accepts NO LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE to your sets, props or costumes.

7. PRIORITIZE: Technical Rehearsal time can easily slip though your fingers. So if you have multiple cues PRIORITIZE those cues that are most important. If you see time running out you may need to abandon marginal cues. If you want to run your show you need to leave sufficient time. That means all your light and sound cues, as well as any logistical issues in moving set pieces on and off, should be completed about two-thirds of the way into your tech. IMPORTANT: Your tech rehearsal ends at the scheduled time. NO EXCEPTIONS.

l What about the actual performance?

1. CALL: There is a half hour between each performance to allow for strike and set-up. You should arrive when that half hour begins (30 min. before your curtain).

2. SET-UP & STRIKE: The show before you will 10 minutes to strike their show and clear the stage for you. You will have 15 minutes to set-up your show. The audience will be let in 5 minutes before you performance begins. -- AFTERWARD you will HAVE 10 minutes to completely clear the stage for the next group.

l What should I do between performances?

1. PROMOTE YOUR SHOW. The best way is personal contact. Fringe-goers will be lined up at every venue all day. Before they go in or after they leave you can hand them a flyer (or postcard) with information about your show. Talk to them. Give them a one-sentence, exciting description of what your story is about.

2. SPECIAL FRINGE PREVIEWS. All performers will have a chance to preview their show at “previews” staged at the Fringe Club on the rooftop of the 10th Avenue. Sign-up to present 2-3 minutes of material and let the crowds having a beer and a bite why they should make your show their next stop.

3. SEE OTHER FRINGE SHOWS. And get them to see yours.

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Friday, January 25, 2013

Fringe-O-Blog by Todd Blakesley - JAN 2013

Fringe Theater Festivals!

The Worldwide Phenomenon SLAMS into San Diego July 1-7. -- What are they? Should you be afraid?

Montreal Fringe

The Fringe is a Carnival of Theater.

Dozens of companies, hundreds of performances packed in a week (or two) offering the greatest array of story and spectacle you will ever experience.

And it’s not one kind of theater... it’s ALL kinds of theater:

« Comedies « Dramas « Musicals « Dance « Cabaret « Experimental «

« Classical « Modern « Avant Garde « Physical « Improv « Magic «

« Burlesque « Performance Art « Vaudeville « Grand Guignol « Solo Shows «

« Stand-up « Puppets « Tortured Clowns « Plays Without Words «

« Boisterous « Blasphemous « Sexy « Theater that has yet to be named«

Something missing? Then YOU write it! Anything goes!

Big Girls Don’t Cry Woza Albert! Loon The Good, the Bad and the Stupid

Montreal Fringe Edinburgh Fringe Winnipeg Fringe San Francisco Fringe

A Brief History of The FRINGE

The Fringe began in 1947 when eight groups appeared uninvited to the newly formed Edinburgh International Festival and performed their shows “on the fringe” of the main festival. While the main festival still exists, The Edinburgh Fringe is now the largest theatre festival in the world: more than 500 companies from around the world give thousands of performances during the 5 weeks of the festival.

In Canada the Fringe started in Edmonton, Alberta thirty years ago and spawned major festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Victoria and Vancouver. Since then dozens of Fringe Festivals have formed throughout the world including almost 20 in the United States.

Fools For Love Trashbot Apocalypse 1000 Suns Bordello Blues

Winnipeg Fringe Winnipeg Fringe Edinburgh Fringe Edinburgh Fringe

Why The FRINGE is so EXTRAORDINARY

« There is NO censorship. « Companies are free to perform what they want. «

« Most shows run 45-60 minutes. Patrons see multiple shows every day. «

« Tickets are cheap. A Festival PASS makes them cheaper. «

« The Fringe Club offers a beer and a bite... and the chance to discover what’s hot! «

« Buskers offer free outdoor performances. «

« Great opportunity to meet Local, National and International artists. «

Winnipeg Fringe Central Prophecy Toronto Fringe

at Old Market Square Minnesota Fringe Beer Garden

The San Diego FRINGE

The San Diego Fringe has secured 5 venues for its first Fringe: The 10th Avenue Theatre will host 3 stages; and just a few blocks away Space 4 Arts will host two stages.

The 2013 San Diego Fringe runs from July 1-7.

How Can You Participate?

✓ By joining our team of volunteers where you can earn tickets to Fringe shows.

✓ By attending as many shows as possible. You could be the first to win the Fringe

Maniac Award by seeing EVERY show presented!

✓ By creating your own show for The Fringe. It’s OPEN to ALL.

Next Blog - The Ins and Outs of Performing on The Fringe