Update: Fringe Comes Into Focus

It’s already turning out to be quite the first year! We are swamped with incoming registrations, eager sponsors, exciting events, and budding partnerships. The community powering this event is coming into focus with venue managers, participant producers, supporters, and local advocates all hunkering down for the days ahead. For a team that has worked tirelessly over the past three years to make this thing a reality, witnessing its imminent genesis is a wonderful feeling.

April 1, the final day of our registration period is fast approaching. The approximately 200 projects submitted to the Fringe are busy finding homes in Hollywood and we are busy helping them. 

Last weekend, we joined the organizers of East Hollywood ArtCycle. Check out some of our pictures. What a great event: Art, bicycles, and good times.

With so much great stuff going on, it’s hard to contain the excitement. 

I hope everyone is having a great month…much to do, much to do.

Cheers!

Ben Hill, Festival Director
Hollywood Fringe Festival

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TOWN HALL & MIXER PART II
Because we had so much fun the last time around, we are happy to announce our second Fringe Town Hall on Monday, April 5 from 6 to 8pm pacific. The venue for this Town Hall will be none other than Fringe Central at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage at 1624 North Las Palmas directly South of Hollywood Blvd.

For those of you in attendance last time, we will follow roughly the same format: A brief update of all the happenings in Fringe World, followed by a much longer Q&A session. Many venue managers will be in attendance, so if you still haven’t found a home for your project, you may be able to work through the details on April 5.

There will be an informal social gathering right across the Egyptian Theater courtyard at the Pig’n Whistle directly following the Town Hall event . The Mixer lasts from 8 to 10pm. The good folks at The Pig have put together some (inexpensive) drink specials for those in attendance. It’s a great time/place to chat about your Fringe project, work through details, and meet new people with similar goals. 

RSVP today if you are on facebook, otherwise send us an email at [email protected] with the number attending in your party.

REGISTRATION ENDS APRIL 1
Our regular registration period ends on April 1 – act now to lock down your participation in the first Hollywood Fringe Festival. Most of the venues still have slots available, but don’t delay another moment. Need some direction and/or help finding a home for your project?  Email us and we will help you find an appropriate match. 

ADS in the FRINGE GUIDE
You can now purchase ads in the printed Fringe Guide and website. Ads are very moderately priced with special 30% discounts to Fringe participants. There’s only a few weeks to purchase an advertisement for the Fringe Guide – submissions close April 15, 2010. Don’t delay, purchase your ad today. The process can be done completely online (surprised?) – check out www.HollywoodFringe/ads for more information.

FRINGE on NPR
We hope many of you caught our Festival Director’s appearance on KPCC’s OffRamp a couple Saturdays ago; a great group of people and a fascinating conversation. Host Steve Julian has recut the episode to include all 50 minutes of the conversation surrounding the subject "Is Theatre Dying?". There’s a lot of gold on this particular show, so make sure to check it out.

NOTES for PARTICIPANTS
Good news for you!  We have increased your guide text allowance to 300 characters. Edit your project now to take advantage of this bonus!  

If you are an international participant and still haven’t contacted us to arrange your work visa, please do so asap.  Late visa submissions lead to some hefty charges.