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Kan Mattoo, pictured far left in his cool sushi shirt, has been an essential part of the development of Hollywood Fringe and we will miss him being on staff! // HFF17 Opening Night Party // Photo: Matt Kamimura

10

JUL 2017

Co-Founder Kan Mattoo Leaves HFF Staff to Take New Position on Board of Directors

by stacy jones hill ·
development, director, co-founder, senior staff, government relations, leader, friend, sushi

…And the lights have come down on our 8th Hollywood Fringe Festival.  

It has been such an amazing journey to see this festival grow into the force of nature it has become in Los Angeles.  Every June, for the past 8 years, thousands of artists have performed for tens of thousands of audience members.  We had incredible, record setting numbers this year (exact audience numbers to be revealed soon) and we are growing every year.  375 shows! 2000 performances! Over $2 million back to participants since our inception in 2010!

Those are amazing numbers.  I love those numbers!  And I am proud of them.

But what I can’t quantify is the way it feels to walk into Fringe Central and see this unbelievable community we’ve helped build. To see the camaraderie, the enthusiasm, new friendships, old ones, deep conversations, laughter…  Our Fringe community is about more than numbers.  It’s about support, collaboration, friendship.  I think I’m most proud of that.

This will be my last year as a member of the Hollywood Fringe staff. Don’t worry!  I’m not done with the festival completely —  but I will be taking a step back from activities day to day.  At the end of this year, I’m excited to be moving into more of a leadership role, on the festival’s Board of Directors.

Thirty years from now, when June rolls around, I want to be able to walk into Fringe Central, saddle up to the bar, look around, and still see our incredible Fringe community thriving and celebrating.  And I’m going to do everything I can to ensure that future happens.

There are too many people to thank for their support over the years.  But this festival wouldn’t happen without the shared vision that Ben, David, Stacy and I had over 10 years ago.  And we couldn’t have done it year to year without the hard work of Meghan, Lois, Stina, Vanessa, Bella & the rest of the amazing staff who put their everything into the festival.

I love this festival and I love the family that I’ve found within it.   Thank you, everyone.