| 2006 MINNESOTA FRINGE FESTIVAL - MNTALENT Q & A WITH FRINGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEAH COOPER |
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MNTALENT: Every year the Fringe Festival has a unique feel to it that sets it apart from previous years...what would you say that "unique feel" is this year?
LEAH COOPER: There are more site-specific shows this year than ever before. From "1926 Pleasant" taking place in an unfinished condominium to "The Longest Road" at Steeple People Surplus Store, to "Calculus: The Musical!" at Watershed High School, and a bunch of others, there's a wide range of shows literally working outside the box of traditional theater. Also, lots of really creative approaches to political satire and discussions about ethics in current events.
MNT: This year the Fringe Festival has gone back to its roots by returning to the West Bank. Why the return? Why this year? As is the case every year, while new venues pop onto the scene, old ones fall away - with the U of M Rarig Center on the West Bank housing four theaters/four new venues, this spreads the Fringe Festival out quite a bit more than it has been in recent years. Do you think this will affect attendance at the Fringe?
LC: We needed more venues, and we needed to replace some of the venues we've been using in the Loring Park area because either their rent was too high or they weren't accessible enough to people with disabilities. Last year we tried out the Southern Theater and Mixed Blood Theater, and things went fabulously. So this year we added the U because four theaters in one building is really great for festival-goers who want to just park once and spend the day somewhere. So far is hasn't hurt attendance at all.
MNT: Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there more first-time Fringe participants this year than any other year? Of course this is a good thing for many new artists/fledgling theater companies to throw their creative hats in the local performance ring, but that also means that many talented artists that have performed at the Fringe in years past (and built a loyal following in the process), didn't get into the festival this year. Will their absence keep their loyal show goers from attending the Fringe this year or do you think that there are enough familiar, fringe favorites along with some very promising new comers to keep long time attendees in the seats?
LC: You are correct. The thing about Fringe veterans is that now that they have a following and so much experience at production and promotion, they are much more capable of producing their own work or getting their work produced by an established company outside the festival. They really don't need the Fringe as much as newcomers do. So audiences will still have a chance to see their work elsewhere. What they won't have the chance to see elsewhere are the fresh faces, new ideas, and diverse work of new, unkown artists. I think most Fringe-goers, especially longtime attendees, understand this and come to the Fringe for the scavenger hunt and the discovery.
MNT: Last year there were quite a few dance oriented shows in the Fringe and this year their look to be even more. Can you explain why dancers have been bitten by the "fringe bug", in such large numbers? Traditionally are these types of shows well attended?
LC: Dance is extremely well-attended at the Fringe. Dancers are drawn to the Fringe for the same reasons that theater companies are: a chance to reach a new audience, to perform in venues they wouldn't normally have access to, and the wide-open forum to experiment.
MNT: Let's say I've never been to the Fringe Festival before, but this may be the year I attend...why should I? What about the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival would make me want to attend that previous years didn't?
LC: This year we've improved customer service at the box office in a number of ways. Fringe Nightcap series give audiences a chance to hang out somewhere different every night and meet other Fringers. Fringe Encore is a chance to see the best-selling show in each venue. Lots of fun new programs. And, of course, 164 new shows that have never been to the Fringe before.
MNT: Can you please explain to everyone the signifigance of the Fringe button?
LC: Fringe button shows everyone you're a Fringer, part of the community, celebrating uncensored, diverse, creative expression. It also gets patrons discounts on theater and other arts events all year long. And revenue from the buttons makes it possible for the festival to be well-organized and serve artists generously.
MNT: If people want to help support the Fringe either financially or by giving in some other way, how would they go about doing that?
LC: Buy a button, see some shows! Also, drop some change into one of the "Tip the Fringe" boxes that are at every venue. Or donate online at http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=41-1734179. Or sign up to volunteer by sending an email to volunteer@fringefestival.org introducing yourself.
MNT: Okay, so I got a taste of the Fringe Festival attending a friend's show and decide that I'd like to try my hand at putting on my own show...can you walk us through the process?
LC: Our application for the 2007 festival is available online at fringefestival.org around mid-November. Deadline is around mid-January. Mostly the application just asks for contact information. It also asks about your show, but you can put "TBD" if you don't know what you want to do yet. There is an application fee of $400. Send in the form and the fee. That's it. We don't read scripts, hold auditions, watch videos, read press kits, or have any kind of judgement about the artistic quality of your show. For every application received we assign an ID #, which gets written on a ping-pong ball. There is a public lottery toward the end of January where we put all the ping-pong balls in a giant bingo cage. Then we draw the balls out of the cage to decide who gets in. If you don't get in, your fee is refunded to you, and you are put on a waiting list in case others drop out.
MNT: What does your job entail as the Executive director of the Minnesota Fringe Festival? I understand that this will be your last year as in that position...did you still enjoy your job? During your tenure as the Fringe's Executive Director did you ever have time to pursue other interests, or did things like directing or acting in a show happen very seldom?
LC: My job is mostly saying please, thank you, I'm sorry, try again. Also corporate oversight of a non-profit organization, budgeting, fundraising, marketing, staff management. Lots of artist relations and public relations. I love what I do, but after five years, I'm ready for a break, and the Fringe always needs fresh energy and ideas. I also direct, write and perform and I miss having more time to do that. After this year's festival, my husband and I are going backpacking around South America for a while. We have hired a new executive director to take over. She will be introduced to Fringers at this year's closing night party on the roof at Joe's Garage.
MNT: How essential is the Fringe website to the success and viability of the Fringe Festival as an entity and an organization as a whole?
LC: I wouldn't say it's essential, but it's a big part of what makes our festival pretty fabulous. A lot of Fringes in Canada have beer tents, which is something too expensive and complicated to implement here. The Web site is like our virtual beer tent where Fringers gather and talk excited about their Fringe experiences. It's very participatory like the Fringe itself. Also there's a side of the site that no one sees but artists, and that side provides lots of resources to artists they don't get anywhere else.
MNT: You must have a pretty good eye at this point as to what shows you think might do well. Would you care to share any of your personal picks?
LC: It's so hard to predict, which is why I'm so strongly opposed to jurying or curating the Fringe. But I'm pretty excited about the site-specific shows this year.
MNT: Thank you very much for your time! And thank you for doing an excellent job leading the Fringe Festival into a financial and creative highpoint! Good luck in all you do in the future!
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