We are thrilled to introduce your “Hollywood In Edinburgh” 2024 Artist Ambassador…. 

Natasha Mercado

This year we are excited to offically launch our new support program for US artists bringing their work to Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Hollywood in Edinburgh, made possible through a venue partnership with Summerhall! 

The program will feature two networking events in Edinburgh and a late-night Cabaret spotlighting some of the fantastic US artists bringing their shows to Ed Fringe this year. Helping us launch this new program is Artist Ambassador Natasha Mercado! A 2022 Hollywood Fringe scholarship recipient, multi-fest award winner, and brilliant community builder. 

Natasha is excited to host our first event in Scotland, USA Artists Meet Up In Edinburgh at Summerhall on August 4th! RSVP to the FREE event today! 

Get to know your 2024 Artist Ambassador, Natasha! 

What is your background in theatre and storytelling? How did you get started- was it at Fringe, or in other spaces? Tell us about your Fringe experience – what got you involved?

My way of creating theatre is through an absurdist, feminist lens charged by unapologetic vulnerability and connection. My background in storytelling started with drama classes I had been taking since I was a toddler. So, I’ve been trying to tell stories since I could babble, but I truly fell in love with improv in high school at the Washington Improv Theater. After college, I ended up working at the Upright Citizens Brigade as a producer and director for their corporate events and was able to take their improv, sketch and character curriculum backwards and forwards. But I think a significant milestone for me as an independent artist was creating my first solo show “Tree” over Zoom after I had been laid off from UCB. I ended up premiering “Tree” in November 2021 at Junior High, a non-profit 501©3 community arts space that prioritizes the safety and expression of female, queer, nonbinary, and artists of color.

“Tree” went on to have sold-out runs at the Hollywood and Victoria Fringe Festival, receiving accolades such as Victoria’s ‘Pick of Fringe’ and Stage Raw’s ‘LA’s Top Ten Shows.’ I have extensively toured the North American Fringe circuit, winning numerous awards including three sold-out runs (Orlando, Victoria, Hollywood), Most Fringe Buzz Award (Orlando 2023), George Wallace Producer Pick (Orlando 2023), Best Clown/Physical Theatre (Victoria 2022), Encore Producers’ Award (Hollywood 2022), Fringe Scholarship (Hollywood 2022), and the Fruit Loop Scholarship (Edmonton 2023).

In 2023, I made my directorial debut at the Hollywood Fringe with Alex Kern’s “Thank You So Much for Coming” which won “Best of Broadwater” and “TVO’s Best Immersive”. And this year in 2024, I had two shows I directed in the Hollywood Fringe, “Medicine Woman” by Veronica Osorio and “Astro Cabaret” by Emma Irene, which cumulatively were nominated for 8 awards (including “Top of Fringe”) and won 3.

I’m about to make my Edinburgh Fringe debut with my second solo show  “#1 Son”, which I have been workshopping in Los Angeles for the past year and a half. I’m self-producing and it’s all been a huge labor of love– every text blurb, graphic, Instagram post, etc. Over these past 3 years since making “Tree,” I’ve realized that being an artist is a lot of admin work and that admin work for me has to be an extension of my art so that I can stay inspired (because it is a LOT of admin work).

Why Fringe? What makes the Fringe Festival model special? 

I love the Fringe! I’m so deeply grateful for my experience because it has made me a working independent artist. Someone told me early on that a person gets as much from the Hollywood Fringe experience as they put into it and it’s so true. The Fringe is so near and dear to me because I feel like I was able to go in with an open heart, even with all the new social anxieties fresh from quarantine, and I’ve received back ten fold in terms of community, support, friendship and career opportunities.

The Fringe is special because it provides unparalleled artistic freedom. At any given Fringe, I can promise you will see the weirdest, best, one-of-kind art that you didn’t even know was possible until that very moment. And anyone can do it! So there’s artists at all different stages in their career, which is incredibly inspiring.

And Fringe audiences get it. They want to connect to different perspectives and storytelling techniques. That’s why they show up. Because they want to see all the weirdo stuff!

Overall, the sense of community and collaboration among artists at the Fringe is palpable. Whenever I’m on the Fringe circuit, I’m always surrounded by the hardest working theatre artists you’ll ever meet. It’s just a sweet little ecosystem of collaboration, inspiration, and mutual support– which of course, lends itself to genuine networking, learning, and growing as an artist.

Accessibility is another crucial aspect of the Fringe. The lower cost of participation allows emerging and independent artists like me to present their work and tour, while affordable ticket prices make theatre more accessible to a wider range of people to actually SEE it. It’s seriously a steal to see the quality of shows at this price… because as an artist, I get to see a lot of the shows for free! Awww yeahhhhhhhhhhh

The recognition and exposure I’ve gained have opened doors to further opportunities, as a performer and as a theatre arts educator. I’m proud to say that I’m also a teaching artist with the Unusual Suspects Theatre Company non-profit, which is committed to creating – with Yield Giving’s recent $2M award – a Youth Theater Conservatory that will provide youths from underrepresented communities in Los Angeles with free access to college-level education in acting, playwriting, directing and production design.

And yes, I teach kids in communities in-need and incarcerated youth, yet I’m doing my show “#1 Son” about being “God’s sexiest son”. That may seem contradictory and even shocking! But really, my view is that clowns take on structures of power and difficult subjects – and I believe there’s a way to do that with heart, responsibility and positivity.

I also teach adults with my “Soft Clown” workshops which are unapologetically centered around sensitivity and earnestness to give participants the chance to explore vulnerability as a path to connecting with their most authentic comedic voice.

We know you’ve developed a new work for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe through some LA based programs. Can you give us a hint of what to expect if someone comes to see #1 Son?

I mean… expect the unexpected! There’s pretzels, plungers, demons, and nipples but all with a healthy dose of heart and pointed jabs at masculinity. And of course religious iconography. It’s a clown epic following Father Greg Orian (like gregorian chant) as he navigates lust, lies & living with the demon on top of his head.

Why is community important to you? What do you hope to help build as our first Hollywood in Edinburgh Program Ambassador?

Community is incredibly important to me because it fosters a sense of belonging among artists. In all my experiences working at the Upright Citizens Brigade and at various Fringe Festivals to now teaching and directing multiple shows, the sense of community has been a constant source of strength and motivation for me to keep creating. Like lots of my artist friends, I have experienced firsthand a deep sense of loneliness and isolation in my life, but being part of a supportive network allows us to share our stories, learn from one another, and grow as artists.

As the first Hollywood in Edinburgh Program Ambassador, I hope to help build a bridge between the vibrant artistic communities of Hollywood and Edinburgh. My goal is to foster a sense of unity and collaboration, creating opportunities for artists to connect, share resources, and support each other’s work. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and dynamic arts scene that benefits everyone involved.

Additionally, I want to bring attention to the power of vulnerability and authenticity in storytelling. Through my work, including “#1 Son”,  “Thank You So Much for Coming” and “Medicine Woman” (which will all three be at the EdFringe this year?!), I strive to create spaces where artists and audiences can connect on a deep, emotional level while laughing their asses off. By embracing vulnerability, we can foster empathy and understanding, breaking down barriers and building stronger communities.

Ultimately, as an ambassador, I hope to inspire others to engage with the arts, support each other, and create meaningful, impactful work. The Fringe has given me so much in terms of community, support, friendship, and career opportunities, and I want to pay that forward by helping to build a thriving, supportive arts community that encourages artists to take risks, be bold, and stay ruthlessly inspired.

Say hello to Natasha in Edinburgh & get your tickets for her show: #1 Son!

HFF24 Community Award Winners
voted on by Fringe patrons and community

Fringe Award for Cabaret and Variety:

WINNER: Batter Up: Double Play

Astro Cabaret
Fringe! Tonite! Alive!
Magic for Animals
Sexame Strip: The Naughty Puppet Cabaret Show

Fringe Award for Comedy:

WINNER: The Best Man Show

BABY
Furiozo: Man Looking for Trouble
Medicine Woman
Queen Bee
Three Can Keep a Secret
What the Chuck?!
Woody Fu: One-Man John Wick

Fringe Award for Dance and Physical Theatre:

WINNER: THE ANTI “YOGI”

1972
Dissent: A Dramatherapy Performance
Meeting #7
The Death of the Swan

Fringe Award for Drama:

WINNER: Mikvah Girls

Dinosaurs
In For A Penny
Mermaid
Our American Tragedy
Vanlyfe

Fringe Award for Immersive and Games:

WINNER: Gameshow! Gameshow! Gameshow!

Kill The Umpire
Reforged: An SCP Immersive Experience
Shakespeare, Inc.
The Complaints Dept.

Fringe Award for Musicals and Operas:

WINNER: Bigfoot! The Musical

Final Girl: The Musical
Hunnysweet: an Adult Adventure Through the Hundred Acre Wood
SUPERNOVA : Spiritual Death of a Hot Mess
Zoog Dabbity

Fringe Award for Solo Performance:

WINNER: Handala

Grief Box
ICE CATS: A Dead Mother Traumedy
Not My Grandmother’s Daughter
SAM
The Day I Accidentally Went to War
The Iditarod
TYT 5

Fringe Award for Two Person Show:

WINNER: Habla y te Salvas: True Stories of a No Sabo Kid & his Guayaco Dad

The Sphere of Fixed Stars in the Heavens by J. Holtham
This Show Is Surrounded By True Events
We Need Better Friends

Fringe International Award:

WINNER: Medicine Woman

Furiozo: Man Looking for Trouble
Nora and Jim
Rock Bottom
The Godmother

Fringe Award for World Premiere:

WINNER: BABY

Batter Up: Double Play
Habla y te Salvas: True Stories of a No Sabo Kid & his Guayaco Dad
Handala
Mikvah Girls
SAM
THE ANTI “YOGI”
This Show Is Surrounded By True Events
Vanlyfe
We Need Better Friends

Top of the Fringe Award:

WINNER: BABY

Habla y te Salvas: True Stories of a No Sabo Kid & his Guayaco Dad"
Handala
ICE CATS: A Dead Mother Traumedy
Medicine Woman
Mikvah Girls
THE ANTI “YOGI”
The Best Man Show
Three Can Keep a Secret
Vanlyfe

HFF24 Discover Fringe Award Nominees
presented by organizations outside of the festival

Best of The Actors Company, presented by The Actors Company:

WINNERS:

Amen
Am I Really Jewish?
An Honest Work
Brainwashed
Baby Rock
Extraterrestial Kink
Modern Butchood
Morgan The Musical: A Sex Toy Western
The Border – A Russian Anti-War Self-Confession
The Dolphin I Loved
This is Very Important

Adelaide Fringe Exchange Award, presented by Adelaide Fringe Festival:

WINNER: Medicine Woman

QUEEN OUT (VERB)
Woody Fu: One-Man John Wick
Missions
BABY
My Little Phobia
Habla y te Salvas: True Stories of a No Sabo Kid & his Guayaco Dad

Best of Asylum Award, presented by Theatre Asylum/Combined Artform:

WINNER: Black Bastard

DND Betches!
Give Me The MacArthur Genius Grant
Jenny Lind Presents P.T. Barnum
Kosher Salt
Majorettes
Our American Tragedy
Painted Ponies
Pure Cinema
SAM
Sunita: Back to Me
The Build
The Connie Converse Universe Starring Hope Levy
The Easter Bunny
The Funny Thing About Men
The Motherfucker With The Hat
Woody Fu: One-Man John Wick

Best of the Broadwater Award, presented by The Broadwater:

WINNERS:

Not My Grandmother’s Daughter
TYT 5
Kenny Goes To Sleep
A Bella Incarcerated
The Day I Accidently Went To War
This Show Is Surrounded By True Events
Delusions and Grandeur
What the Chuck?
Mikvah Girls
Sam
The Best Man Show
Role Play (Or The Hottest Day In Belgian History)

Denver Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Denver Fringe Festival:

WINNER: Habla y te Salvas: True Stories of a No Sabo Kid & his Guayaco Dad

THE ANTI “YOGI”
UNTITLED PSYCHIC BUSTER PROJECT
An Honest Work
RONALD
The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life, Sex, and Everything in Between
The Best Man Show
Latini-Duh!™ The Upside Down Latinoverse
tHis Is Very IMPORTANT

Ella Turenne Award, presented by the Hollywood Fringe Access Advisory Board:

WINNER: Mermaid

Black Bastard
TYT 5
Give Me The MacArthur Genius Grant
The Day I Accidentally Went to War
The Epistle of Her

Fringe Italia Off Exchange Award, presented by Fringe Italia Off:

WINNERS: Woody Fu: One-Man John Wick & Medicine Woman

Theatre Show (a play about a woman)
Gameshow! Gameshow! Gameshow!
Baby Rock
Handala

International Fringe Encore Series, presented by SoHo Playhouse:

GUARANTEED SELECTION: Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology

FINALISTS

What The Chuck?!
The Day I Accidentally Went To War
BABY
Mikvah Girls

Jaxx Cultural Arts Envoy Award, presented by Jaxx Theatricals:

WINNER: FOXY LADIES LOVE BOOGIE 70’S EXPLOSION!

Bigfoot! The Musical
Final Girl: The Musical
PODCAST: The Show
POPERA: Sex, Death and Politics
The Rabbit Queen
Theatre Show (a play about a woman)
Vanlyfe

Loud Karma Emerging Female and Nonbinary Playwright Award, presented by Loud Karma Productions, LLC:

WINNERS:

1: Obsessed-Starr Shapiro

2: Vanlyfe-Elliot Evans and Soph Fuchs

3: Heart Held at Knife Point-Eliran Sternin

Omnia Motus-Allison Shea Reed
ICE CATS: A Dead Mother Traumedy-Alli Miller-Fisher
The Rabbit Queen-Ilana Gordon
Femmina Super-Bethany Hill
Mikvah Girls-Emmy Weissman
Handala-Myriam Ali-Ahmad

No Room in the Green Room Award, presented by MB Stage Productions:

WINNER: Sunken

Shakespeare, Inc.
A Third Space: The Trans Conversation Project
Remember 92 : Sierra Leone Will Rise Again

Soaring Solo Social Impact Award, presented by Soaring Solo LLC:

WINNER: Black Bastard by Jon Gentry

Mermaid by Italome Ohikhuare
The Day I Accidentally Went To War by Bill Posley
Magic For Animals by Liz Toonkel
The Godmother by Melina Farahani
Handala by Myriam Ali-Ahmad

StageCrafts Select Award, presented by The StageCrafts:

WINNERS: Roost; Dinner for Eight; Lessons from Children’s Books

The Hobgoblin Playhouse:
Did I Just Join a Cult?
The Iditarod
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
Kosher Salt

The Madnani Theater:
Norman Judd: A Life in Concert
space exploration because SPACE EXPLORATION because sPaCe eXpLoRaTiOn!!!
Faking It
The Fairy Who Cried Gems

Javista:
Role Model Juliet
All the Boys I Blocked

Sydney Fringe Festival Exchange Award, presented by Sydney Fringe Festival:

WINNER: QUEEN OUT (VERB)

THE ANTI “YOGI”
Medicine Woman

The Screamiest Award, presented by Midsummer Scream:

WINNER: Final Girl: The Musical

Bride of Blood
Did I Just Join A Cult?
Dracula: Live from Transylvania
In For A Penny

The Splash Award, presented by Namba Performing Arts Space:

WINNER: The Day I Accidentally Went to War

Mermaid
The Godmother
Vanlyfe
Mictlan
Queen Out
Magic for Animals
Schizophrenia is Funny

Theatre Theater Playwright Award, presented by Theatre Theater Podcast:

WINNER: Edward G Excalibur, 638: an Uncommonly Comical Review of an Accidental Assassination Attempt of Fidel Castro

Kate Dragone, Lines
Maddie Natoli, The Death of the Swan
Drew Petriello, Vote for Tom Ryan
Elliot Evans and Soph Fuchs, Vanlyfe
Vincent X Kirsch, Whim

Three Clubs Production Award, presented by Three Clubs Theatre:

WINNERS: FOXY LADIES LOVE BOOGIE 70’S EXPLOSION! AND Hunnysweet: An Adult Adventure Through The Hundred Acre Wood

This Song Reminds Me Of…
Supernova: Spiritual Death of a Hot Mess
Chess, The Musical
Bigfoot! The Musical
What The Chuck?!
Astro Cabaret
Sexame Strip: The Naughty Puppet Cabaret Show

Zephyr’s Zest Award, presented by Zephyr Theatre:

WINNER: THE ANTI “YOGI”

Daddy Issues
Revolution with Ramón
The Super Trio
There is Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus: How I Went From A Hot Mess To A Hot Bitch
Where Within

Announcing a new program, Hollywood to Edinburgh – a Fringe support group for USA-based artists going to Edinburgh Scotland. We are thrilled to announce a small step towards more artist support for LA-based artists in Edinburgh through a partnership with Summerhall Venues for Edinburgh Fringe 2024! Last year, over 30 Hollywood Fringe shows went to Edinburgh Fringe, and this year, we are expecting quite a few more!

Get started early in Los Angeles through our prep program in July:

—> Catch us at an artist mixer for artists going to Edinburgh on Wednesday, July 17th from 7pm-9pm in Central Hollywood at the Broadwater Plunge.

—> Sign up for the Hollywood to Edinburgh Whatsapp thread here! This thread is for artists who will be in Edinburgh for the Fringe during August 2024.

—> Join us for a virtual panel discussion with past Edinburgh + Hollywood Fringe artists on what to expect on the ground at Edinburgh Fringe, and what tips + tricks you might be forgetting on Tuesday, July 9th from 7pm-9pm

Get support in Edinburgh from your fellow artists + Hollywood Fringe staff:

—> USA Artists in Edinburgh Mixer on Sunday, August 4th- meet your fellow artists, work together on a marketing plan, and celebrate being in Scotland!

—> USA Artists & Industry Mixer on Monday, August 19th - mix and mingle with your fellow artists and industry professionals. A perfect way for you to find some new pathways for touring!

—> A Late Night In Hollywood Cabaret on August 22nd, showcasing the brilliant talent coming to the festival from the US! 

Interested in applying to be one of the ten featured artists in the curated cabaret “A Late Night in Hollywood”? Apply here!

With so many amazing US artists bringing their work to Edinburgh Fringe each year (many of which start at Hollywood Fringe), we want to do our part to create a stronger pathway! We couldn’t be more excited to expand our support beyond Hollywood and do so in partnership with a similarly missioned venue partner. 

With funding, we hope to do more for US-based artists in Edinburgh! Interested in starting a partnership? Reach out to [email protected] and let’s get chatting!

ABOUT OUR VENUE PARTNER: SUMMERHALL 

Summerhall occupies a central place in Edinburgh’s art scene. It has won multiple awards in its twelve years as a festival and year-round venue, providing a safe and supportive space that champions high quality, contemporary work that says something about the world and does it in an interesting way.

We are dedicated to supporting the artists that we work with. We value the creative process, even it’s challenges and volatility, and support companies and individuals at every stage of their career: from emerging and independent to major national portfolios. The building’s history as a former veterinary school makes itself felt in the wide variety of performance spaces, each with their own charm. 

Summerhall also has its own brewery, distillery, pub, café and a buzzy festival courtyard. We believe in challenging our own administrative policies and the status quo of the wider festival to the same level expected of artists by their audiences.

Happy Juneteenth! To quote the great Angela Davis, 

“…Juneteenth, the day we celebrate the end of slavery, the day we memorialize those who offered us hope for the future and the day when we renew our commitment to the struggle for freedom.”

Celebrate Juneteenth by booking shows led and created by Black artists this Fringe, including the shows listed below! 100% of ticket sales go back to the artist!

Anxiety Is Not Forever

Better Off With You

Black Bastard

Blacks in Space: The Fantastic Voyage

Confessions of a Mulatto Love Child

Dear James

Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology

Give Me The MacArthur Genius Grant

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Law and Disorder

MAJORETTES

Mermaid

Philosophy & Pasta — Live Comedy Taping

QT COMEDY SHOW

Recolonizers

Remember 92 : Sierra Leone Will Rise Again

Scrapbook: Pieces of Facebook, God and an ever present Orange Clown

Silhouettes Of Scarlet: A Hip-Hop Musical

SUPERNOVA : Spiritual Death of a Hot Mess

The Day I Accidentally Went to War

The Epistle of Her

The Goodlucks

The Motherfucker With The Hat

The Sphere of Fixed Stars in the Heavens by J. Holtham

The Wolves

tHis Is Very IMPORTANT

TRANSlation: A Nu Gworl Group

TYT 5

We Lovers

Weight Of The World

Who in the World is Valerie Lacy?

ISOLATION AFTER CLOSE CONTACT WITH COVID-19: FESTIVAL POLICY

The Hollywood Fringe has over 1,700 cast, crew members + venue team members that rely on community safety to keep them safe from illness. We ask that you follow these guidelines when you get sick, regardless of it being related to COVID-19, so that you may not spread your illness across the Fringe.

IF YOU, A CAST MEMBER, CREW MEMBER, OR VENUE TEAM MEMBER TEST POSITIVE… 

- You must report infection to Fringe staff ([email protected]) and your venue rep – neglecting to report this directly violates our Code of Conduct.

- Consider all team members you’ve been in contact with over the past 5 days a possible exposure (see below for recommendations).

- Email [email protected] right away so we can begin the process of rescheduling or moving tickets if it is deemed necessary under your circumstances.

If your show can go on without that team member, you can perform your show if:

- You procure a negative test from all exposed team members within 24 hours of each time you’ll be on site for a total of 7 days.

- Your cast/crew wear a mask while not on stage.

- We strongly encourage you to require masks in your audience – if you would like some to have on hand, please pick up from Fringe Central.

You may end your isolation

- After 5 days if you test negative on a COVID-19 test (one taken at home is fine) AND are symptom free.

- After 10 days if you are no longer symptomatic but still test positive

You may enforce stricter guidelines if your venue, cast and/or crew agree that is the right thing to do.

IF YOU, A CAST MEMBER, CREW MEMBER, OR VENUE TEAM MEMBER ARE EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19

We consider contact/exposure as being around a positive individual for 15 minutes, masked or unmasked, indoors or outdoors.  We encourage you to report exposure to Fringe staff ([email protected]) and your venue rep to see what next steps should be taken.

After an exposure we ask that you:

- Do not come to Fringe events outside your performance times for the first 3-days post exposure

- Test daily and wear a well-fitting mask for the first 7 days after exposure when you do have to come to the Fringe site outside of your performance times.

- You can perform your show without a mask if you have tested negative and have no symptoms

You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms. If you develop symptoms, you should follow the “tested positive” protocols.

Symptoms include but are not limited to: 

- Fever or chills

- Cough

- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

- Fatigue

- Muscle or body aches

- Headache

- New loss of taste or smell

- Sore throat

- Congestion or runny nose

- Nausea or vomiting

- Diarrhea