by K. Primeau~

Hollywood – An energetic crowd of performance artists, dancers, directors, producers, playwrights, theatre companies, and local council members waited in line to participate in the Hollywood Fringe Festival’s community assembly last evening. The first public meeting to discuss the festival, set for June 17 to the 27, has been three years and one large web-building project in the making, with information hitherto leaking only slowly through the HollywoodFringe.org site and e-mail blasts. The long-awaited informal event cemented the reciprocal sentiment and enthusiasm between Fringe organizers and community members, as well as raised issues as to what everyone should expect in fringe future.

“We’re all in this together,” Executive Director Ben Hill explained in his brief fringe overview, underlining the grassroots nature of the fest. The success and scale of the inaugural year depends upon leadership from those in attendance, he inferred, as well as sponsors and participants who step up in the upcoming months. Built upon the tradition of Edinburgh Fringe, no artist will be turned away from participation, and local businesses are encouraged to join in the street-fair mentality. At Edinburgh, the world’s largest Fringe, more than 1.8 million tickets are sold, and the event brings more than $100 million to the local economy, according to Hill.

Aside from potential fiscal rewards, the festival will do much to unite disparate art communities around Los Angeles. Centered on the Hollywood neighborhood (all fringe events will be within the Franklin/Melrose, La Brea/Gower area), the multidisciplinary fest hopes to attract both audiences and artists from the many “bubbles” of creativity throughout greater LA, and has already garnered interest from several international arts groups, organizers said.

Theatre of NOTE hosted the meeting, which segued into a Q and A before breaking into a mixer at the neighboring Piano Bar. Hill and the rest of the Fringe organizational staff fielded questions such as ‘Can you have more than one show?’ (Yes) and ‘Is anything too offensive to be allowed in fringe programming?’ (No). Between the crowded bodies and earnest questioning, they took suggestions from attendees, and spoke about expansion in administration and scope for the fringe in upcoming years. “We have nothing but respect for arts all around town,” said Hill. How the administration will embrace challenges unique to LA (commuting, funneling tourism, etc) and whether LA County Arts Commission and the Department of Cultural Affairs will lend a hand is yet to be seen.

Important Notes from Q & A:

• Support and information is available 24/7 at www.HollywoodFringe.org.
  Artists are encouraged to search www.BigCheapTheater.com and the Fringe Facebook page for production staff and support until a Volunteer Coordination message board is available on the fringe site.
• Stacy Jones (Press & Publicity) will be coordinating PR packets for producing companies in the upcoming weeks; additionally, Ken Peterson (Visibility Director) will be arranging public appearances throughout Hollywood to help companies promote their pieces outside of Fringe central.
• With multiple metro and bus stations located near Fringe central, the organization is encouraging a green festival community.
• Registration closes April 1st, with Fringe Guides set to be published and distributed throughout greater Los Angeles by early May.
• Sponsors, volunteers, and artists of all mediums (dance, film, theatre, performance art, puppetry, whatever you can imagine and coordinate) are still being actively pursued. Visit the website for regular updates.