Embracing the Fringe: Resigning Publicity Manager Brittany Gash's Farewell to HFF

Embracing the Fringe

I have never been the cool kid or the popular one – the girl that everyone wants to be like and hang out with.  Don’t get me wrong. I’m super rad awesome (do people say “rad” anymore?) – but in a geeky, loner, chicken wings and beer kind of way.

Google says that Fringe means “not part of the mainstream; unconventional, peripheral, or extreme.”  That’s pretty much me – minus the extreme. I’m not extreme at all.  

The noun form of Fringe means “an ornamental border of threads left loose or formed into tassels or twists, used to edge clothing or material.” Yeah, that’s me too; a frayed edge; dangling decoration, hanging out on the borders of all that is mainstream and #basic. I like that.  

I know now, that I am Fringe and that you – the one reading this, is also Fringe. Fringe is a state of being – of existing.  Fringe is determination, passion, and hard-work. Just look at the amazing staff, interns and volunteers that put on the Hollywood Fringe Festival.  These amazing people – my friends – constantly put in 110% to make this festival happen. And they do this because they believe in it’s importance.  They believe in its ability to positively impact the community and artists and local businesses.  They come up with radical programs and strategies and welcome diverse voices and faces to the table.  

This is what Fringe is.  Fringe is acceptance and love; friendship and commitments and most importantly – it welcomes the unconventional, peripheral, and extreme. It embraces the differences and then gives it a platform to show itself to the world.  

As I wrap up my two years of being the Publicity Manager of the Hollywood Fringe Festival and pass this honor to someone new – I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all of my dear Hollywood Fringers – staff, interns, producers, actors, writers, designers, and spectators.  Thank you for teaching me so much and allowing me to make the mistakes that I’ve learned from. Thank you for so much support and encouragement. Thank you for all the hugs and the laughs. Thank you for sharing your profound and inspiring art with me.  Thank you for giving me a home away from home – a place to roll around in my awkward geekiness and feel safe. I am so proud to have been on the Hollywood Fringe staff and look forward to continuing to being part of the Fringe community.  

Cheers to all you frayed edges, dangling on the borders and making the world a better and more beautiful place.

Peace and Blessings,

Brittany G.