EQUITABLE CASTING

The Hollywood Fringe Festival is devoted to accessibility and equity in our festival and within the larger theatre community as a whole. We are a young, progressive, grassroots organization and believe the choices we make have a rippling impact on our community. 

 

To maximize our impact we need your help. As producers, directors, theatre-makers and actors you make up our festival, our culture, and our community. When casting your Hollywood Fringe productions we ask that you expand your perspective when casting. We are fed the incorrect message that Whiteness and nondisabled humans are default. We highly encourage you to cast your productions with the intention to have a cast that represents the diverse city of Los Angeles and the diversity of our nation. 

 

Impact of equitable casting?

• You create a production with more creative perspectives to elevate your show.
• You reach a wider audience when you cast actors across communities and are inviting new audiences to participate in your work, both through your actors’ networks and by representing and attracting various communities to your show.
• You’ll make more money. More audience members equals more ticket sales and more money from your Fringe production.
• Learn new perspectives and gain broader cultural competency
• Contribute to anti-racism in our theatre community.

 

How to cast equitably 

• Start with a diverse production team. 
• Post your production on casting websites to reach a wide audience.
• Note “all ethnicities” in your character breakdowns unless ethnicity is pertinent to the cultural function of a role.
• Consider multigenerational casting: Is age relevant in your story? If not, consider broadening your age limits to have a more inclusive cast in terms of age.
• Do not cast nondisabled actors in disabled roles. Authentically cast disabled and d/Deaf stories, and consider including more disabled actors in non-disa bled roles in your productions.
• Consider opening up your gender identities in casting.
• Bolster your commitment to equitable casting in your casting announcement by including a statement like: : “We encourage underrepresented communities to submit. Reach out to BIPOC, AAPI, and disabled friends and colleagues to audition and share the audition opportunity.

 

Fostering an inclusive environment

• Listen to the actors you hire and the perspectives they share. Take them seriously.
• Do not make racially based, ableist, gender-biased, or any other insensitive comments. If you have something to say about someone’s identity, we recommend you consider if it’s something that will affect your production, the narrative of the story you are trying to tell, or the community you work with. If it won’t, don’t say it. 
• Ask questions when you don’t know something. Listen to the response and thank your collaborator for their time explaining new concepts. People are excited to give feedback and share their ideas when you properly thank them for their time..
• Respect your actors’ time and commitment to the project.
• Don’t tokenize any single person in a cast, hire people from many backgrounds so that you may have a more conducive environment for inclusive conversations.

Reference our Code of Conduct for resources.

 

During our 2023 “Ask A Venue” Workshop, panelists from each venue offered many insights on everything venue-related — from the application process to what will happen on the day of your show. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Find the venue that works best for you and makes sense for the specifics of your show.
2. The Hollywood Fringe Festival is centered in community; get to know and support the other artists with shows performing in your venue. #HFFCommunity
3. Communicate oddities about your show upfront to the venue. (Don’t keep secrets.)
4. When you have a question the answer you’re looking for can almost always be found on the Hollywood Fringe’s website.
5. The venue representatives have been doing this awhile, so check in with them when you need guidance or ideas. (They are happy to provide their thoughts on everything from how to stage a scene in their space to the best box office practices for your show.)
6. Make sure there will be someone in the lobby of the venue during your performance so people don’t wander in and disrupt your show.
7. Don’t book all your performances during “prime time” slots. At 8pm on a weekend you and many other shows will be competing for audience members. Whereas having morning, afternoon, and late night shows will increase the chances that avid festival goers, industry folks, and your fellow fringe participants will get the chance to see your show.
8. During the turnover between shows, it is amazing how much can get done in a short amount of time if everyone knows exactly what they’re doing.
9. Market each of your performances individually. (For example, if you have a show early on a Sunday morning then perhaps encourage your audience to get a group together for brunch prior to attending your show.)
10. The more information you provide your venue, the more they can support you and your art.

You can watch the entire workshop here. And you can find all of the venues currently registered with Fringe here.

In search of the perfect venue for your HFF show? We recommend taking a few tours, reaching out on the site, or calling or emailing directly. With almost 20 spaces to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect fit for your show. 

 

You can find all of the venues currently registered with Fringe here.

 

To help you find the perfect venue fit, we will keep this page updated with venue tour schedules and Open Houses. 

 

The Zephyr Theatre

7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Virtual Tour available here

Upcoming Open House- February 23rd from 5 pm-7 pm rescheduled for Saturday, February 25th from 11am-1pm. 

More open houses are coming soon; otherwise, tours are provided by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Email:  [email protected]

 

Actors Company 

916 N.Formosa Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

(Let Live Theatre, Other Space Theatre, The Little Theatre)

All tours are by appointment. Best times are Monday-Saturday before 5 pm. Email:  [email protected]

 

Asylum @ Stephanie Feury

5636 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Virtual tour available here

Full Asylum Venue tours (6 spaces) are Sundays and Thursdays. Other days and times can be arranged. Appointments are needed. Email: [email protected] or reach out through the Fringe site. 

 

Asylum @ McCadden Theater

1157 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Virtual tour available here

Visit our website www.theaterasylum.com for packet and tour information. 

Full Asylum Venue tours (6 spaces) are Sundays and Thursdays. Other days and times can be arranged. Appointments are needed. Email: [email protected] or reach out through the Fringe site.

 

Asylum @ Thymele Arts (Kansas, California, Shirley Dawn)

5481 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90029

Virtual tour available here

Full Asylum Venue tours (6 spaces) are Sundays and Thursdays. Other days and times can be arranged. Appointments are needed. Email: [email protected] or reach out through the Fringe site.

 

Ayslum @ The Wren Theatre  

742 Vine St Hollywood CA 90038

Virtual tour available here

Full Asylum Venue tours (6 spaces) are Sundays and Thursdays. Other days and times can be arranged. Appointments are needed. Email: [email protected] or reach out through the Fringe site.

 

 

We have so many events to look forward to in 2023 as you begin your HFF23 journey! Below is a list of pre-festival educational events, as well as more information on upcoming networking opportunities. All of these events are designed to prepare you for a wonderful 2023 season. Can’t make an event or want to catch one you missed? Check out the stream of all Fringe events that have passed here.

 

• Download our Google Calendar to add dates your device by clicking here!
• Add to any other calendar type by downloading to your device from this link

Pre-Festival Educational Opportunities:

Workshops consist of panel discussions with past Hollywood Fringe participants, and Town Halls are led by Hollywood Fringe staff. Both are great ways to get to know the Hollywood Fringe from different angles and perspectives! 

 

We will have ASL interpreters at all in-person events, and auto-captioning at all virtual events. If you would like to request an interpreter at any virtual workshop, please contact [email protected] at least 72 hours before the event, and we will provide one. All events are “pay what you can,” and donations are much appreciated, but only if you can afford to do so.

 

Workshops:

HFF23 In-Person Workshop 1: Ask A Venue

Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (6-8 panel, 8-9 networking)

Thymele Arts (5481 Santa Monica Blvd) | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 Virtual Workshop 2: Budgeting and Fundraising

Sunday, February 12, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm PT

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 Virtual Workshop 3: Anti-Racism in Producing

Sunday, February 26, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm PT

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 Virtual Workshop 4: NOPRO x HFF23: Immersive at Fringe 101

Monday, February 27, 2023, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PT

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 Virtual Workshop 5: Accessibility at the Fringe

Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PT

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 Virtual Workshop 6: Marketing and Ticketing

Sunday, March 26, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm PT

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 Virtual Workshop 7: How to Tech your Fringe Show

Sunday, April 2, 2023, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm PT

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 In-Person Workshop 8: Festival Expectations

Saturday, April 29, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm PT

The Broadwater (6320 Santa Monica Blvd) | Facebook Live

 

Town Halls:

HFF23 In-Person Town Hall 1: Welcome to Fringe, Registration & More

Saturday, January 28, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The Hudson (6539 Santa Monica Blvd) | Facebook Live 

 

HFF23 In-Person Town Hall 2: Prepping for Fringe

Saturday, April 15, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm PT

The Hudson (6539 Santa Monica Blvd) | Facebook Live

 

Virtual Fringe Open Space Sessions:

Do you live outside of Los Angeles and have questions about bringing your show to HFF? We know that touring your show is a big decision, especially if you have never visited our city. Join us for one of our Fringe Open Space Zoom sessions to ask questions and learn more about the Hollywood Fringe experience as an artist.

 

Fringe Open Space Session 1

Monday, January 30, 2023, 10:00 – 11:00 am PT

Zoom (register here)

 

Fringe Open Space Session 2

Sunday, February 5, 2023, 4:00 – 5:00 pm PT

Zoom (register here)

 

Fringe Open Space Session 3

Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 7:00 – 8:00 pm PT

Zoom (register here)

 

Virtual Web Sessions:

We are thrilled to introduce a branch of our Pre-Festival educational series this year that is all about navigating the website and the many tools available to you as Hollywood Fringe Festival participants.

 

HFF23 Virtual Web Session 1: How to Navigate the Fringe Website Pre-Festival

Thursday, February 2, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

HFF23 Virtual Web Session 2: How to Navigate the Fringe Website During the Festival

Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Zoom | Facebook Live

 

 

Pre-Festival Networking Opportunities:

Office Hours In-Person Networking Events (21+):

Join Hollywood Fringe staff and participants for weekly casual meet-ups at different bars around Hollywood. Whether you’re a veteran Fringer or a new community member, these in-person networking events are for you! Office Hours take place every Wednesday from 7-10 pm starting in late March.

 

March 29 – The Broadwater Plunge 

April 5 – The Broadwater Plunge 

April 12 – Melrose Umbrella Company

April 19 – Saint Felix 

April 26 - Melrose Umbrella Company

May 3 – Saint Felix

May 10 – Three Clubs

May 17 – The Well 

May 24 – Three Clubs

May 31 – Saint Felix

 

 

Online Networking Opportunities (All Ages):

We will have three online “Speed Networking” events in April and May for Fringe participants to get to know each other in a musical chairs style format. These are ideal for those joining from out of town or for those who want to network with the community from the comfort of their home (we get it, sometimes you just don’t want to

deal with LA traffic).

 

Thursday, 4/20, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Monday, 5/1, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Monday, 5/22, 7:30 – 9:30 PM

Register here!

 

 

 

In addition to all of these pre-festival workshops and networking events, there will be many opportunities for networking within the Fringe community during the festival dates in June. Stay tuned for more details on Fringe Cabaret, various events at Fringe Central, and the official Opening Night Party/Closing Night & Awards Ceremony – all happening in June 2023!

We’re coming back to Hollywood bigger and better than ever in 2023 for the 13th annual festival, with programs and opportunities that build community, create more accessibility and provide opportunities for Hollywood Fringe artists to connect and create together in community.

Registration opens on February 1, and closes on April 1, 2023.

All shows must present their work in the Hollywood Fringe Zone with tickets available to live audiences. All shows will have the option to livestream their shows in addition to in-person audience ticketing. More information about registration, including registration fees for 2023 can be found here.

Ready to create your HFF23 project? Click here to get started!