This week, our staff focus is all about community and outreach. So without further fanfare, let’s hear all about it from Hollywood Fringe Outreach coordinator Meghan McCauley!

Hello Hollywood Fringe friends,

I came to the first annual Hollywood Fringe Festival as an unknown participant from San Diego, without any idea of what to expect. Taking part in Hollywood Fringe introduced me to this awesome community of people dedicated to the same thing I was dedicated to – creating a system in which new artists could show their work to a community that supported them. I moved to Los Angeles in August of 2010 and was offered a job on the Hollywood Fringe staff as Outreach Coordinator.

What does “outreach” mean for the Hollywood Fringe?

In short, it means expanding the Hollywood Fringe community as far and wide as we possibly can. As Outreach Coordinator, I am dedicated to bringing in as many people as possible to the Fringe fold who want to create, support, and see the work that this festival brings to Los Angeles.

It starts with bringing in more producers, performers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, etc. It means that you’ll be seeing a bigger Fringe representation at other community arts festivals throughout LA in the coming months. It means that we are focusing directly on schools (both K-12 and university level) to get students involved in creating, volunteering, and experiencing the festival.

If you are an artist, teacher, producer, programmer, or individual otherwise interested in forging a partnership with Hollywood Fringe, I’d love to hear from you. Do you have an event you want us to attend? A class who would love to take a field trip to one of our shows? Possibilities are endless!

Fringe on,
Meghan McCauley
[email protected]

Today we beging a series of introductions of Fringe staffers.

To begin let’s all give a big hello to volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Steele.

Take it away, Liz…
__

Hello dear Fringers!

Some of you might remember me from last year, I was the volunteer in the off the shoulder freak shirt at the festival all the hours I wasn’t sleeping or working my money job.

Know what’s wonderful about volunteering for the Fringe?

You’re always needed! And even when there isn’t an artist to help with bus schedules or directions or a lobby to vacuum, there are countless houses with seats to fill.

As the festival continues to grow, so does our volunteer base. This Falll I was asked to join the Fringe staff in the capacity of Volunteer Coordinator, based on my own experience during our first year. I’m so excited about ensuring the most efficient use of volunteers. Our street team will be fierce this year. We plan on stationing volunteers outside each venue with Fringe programs, gear, and, of course, information.

With Fringe Central moving to a much more central location I might add, we don’t want anyone missing out on the fun at ArtWorks. Volunteers will be selling Fringe merch, tickets to shows, and making artists feel at home in Hollywood.

If you’re interested in volunteering or have any suggestions as to how our force can create an even more welcoming arts community during the festival, please feel free to contact me.

Fringe on!

Elizabeth Steele
[email protected]

Ah, Fringes. Home to all things experimental, emerging, unplanned, and subversive. Excellent stuff for the adventurous audience member with a touch of soulful revolution in their heart.

But where do families fit into the mix? Rather snugly, actually.

We are excited to introduce our brand new Fringe Family Program to the Hollywood Fringe 2011 lineup. Fringe Family showcases family-friendly programming on the Fringe for kids, parents, and the parent/kid in all of us.

How does it work?

Fringe producers interested in staging a Fringe Family program need only affirm their show abides by the basic rules of Fringe Family – pledging there is no foul language, adult themes, or otherwise non-kid friendly material in their shows. Patrons interested in attending Fringe Family shows are provided listings in the guide and on the website to help plan their family fun.

Fringe Family is an excellent way to market your kid-friendly show as we provide tools to match patrons preferring such programming to your projects. Special weekend programming for kids at Fringe Central will showcase some of these shows along with special workshops for creative kids and parents.

Many thanks to the man behind Fringe Family, our director of special programs Jon Armstrong (also known for his magical ways with cards).

Expect more information on this program as we near the merry month of June.

Interested in participating and want to learn more? Shoot us an email and we will help you sort through the details.

Ben

Greetings, all…

For those of you coming from beyond the borders of the United States, we have posted some pointers that may help you along your Fringe way.

Make sure to check them out.

International participation can be a thorny issue so contact us with any questions and we will help you along.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ben

We are immensely excited to announce the new location of Fringe Central for festival 2011: ArtWorks Theatre & Studios.

When we began planning the 2011 festival shortly after last June we knew one thing: We wanted to substantially increase the level of production at Fringe Central. The key to any festival’s success is its sense of place; the environment provided by the festival. We had some amazing times at our last locale, this year we wanted to bump it up several notches.

With our new-found partnership with the good folks at ArtWorks and Artel, we have done just that.

Located in the middle of Theatre Row along Santa Monica Blvd, we now offer five distinct performance spaces for participant productions.

These include…

• One mainstage space featuring a beautiful 80-seat house
• Two secondary performances spaces seating 35-40
• A space to house the Fringe Central Film program (formal announcement coming soon)
• A cabaret stage underneath the Fringe big-top tent

Did he say tent? Why yes he did. Amidst the excitement at Fringe Central will be a big top tent to house a cabaret stage, the Fringe Bar, and the hub of the social activity at the Fringe. It’s a place to enjoy the community and a few beverages after a heavy day of Fringing.

We are booking now! Interested in hosting your show at the epicenter of Fringe? Create your project and apply today to Fringe Central.

Special thanks to the ArtWorks team: Don Cesario, Monica Martin, and Olya Petrakova for their partnership and support.

And, yes…here’s another one of those venue tours featuring Fringe Central Manager Nick Hill to get you started…

Fringe on!

Ben