Happy Hour On The Fringe

Welcome back to Happy Hour on The Fringe. April Rose, the independent artist programs manager at FringeArts sits down with Evan Neiden of Candle House Collective, an experimental theater company that creates performances takes place over the phone for one audience member. The two discuss how this work is made, what inspires the work, and how to engage with audiences remotely, which we're all have been doing for the first time. 

How does a passion for comedy lead to greater forms of creativity? On this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Zach Blackwood sits down with the brilliant minds behind 3AM Theatre, Kyle Driggs and Andrea Murillo. The three discuss the origins of the multidisciplinary performance company, upcoming projects, and the excitement leading up to FringeArts Hand to Hand Circus Festival.  Support the artists of 3am by following the link below! https://www.gofundme.com/f/3amtheatre?utm_campaign=p_cp_url&utm_medium=os&utm_source=customer

While being a good listener and collaborator can open a lot of doors in life, how far can it take you when death is on the table? On this episode, Ari sits down with Kristin Finger from ComedySportz Philly to talk about real world improv and how well those skills transfer to her annually sold-out brainchild Murder Manor. With this year's improvised murder mystery on the horizon, Kristin shares how she's reconciled the classic genre with classic improv heuristics, despite their seeming almost at odds, and elevated the event through its newfound virtual setting. 

During Fringe Fest 2020, OhOk Performance Group showed us how something as intimate as dance can persist in spite of any distance that may need to be put up. So on this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, April sits down with the two people who made it happen, Whitney Casal and Britt Davis, as they discuss the group's beginnings, the success of Do mirrors burn?, and their aspirations moving forward. Listen in on this duo's rapport to get some insight into the nature of collaboration and provoke a cathartic "oh, okay!" Read the transcript here

On the last episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Producers Circle member Ed Wagner cited Thaddeus Phillips as the prime example of infusing technology and innovation into theatre. This week, Zach sat down with the dynamic artist himself to find out how he's done the same with his upcoming show, Zoo Motel, presented by Theatre Exile this spring. Listen in to get a glimpse into Thaddeus' cinematic style of theatre and enjoy a special guest appearance by Tatiana Mallarino as she unpacks her dramaturgical philosophy. Read the transcript here

With FringeArts’ 25th Anniversary on the horizon, Raina sits down with longtime friend of the Fringe Ed Wagner to take a look into the most notable moments from Fringemas past, present, and future. So sit back, spike that iced tea with a bit of water, and listen in on the Philly arts scene’s long and weird history. Read this episode's transcript here

Bringing live theatre to a socially distant space may feel like cutting to the bone of the craft. But in the best way possible, one theatre company in particular has replaced those bones entirely. Joshua William Gelb traded the skeletons in his closet for a stage and has been putting on productions in their place for nearly a year under the Theater in Quarantine name. With Katie Rose McLaughlin aboard, the TiQ team continues to push the boundaries of the closet, and with Scott Sheppard's new (but eerily familiar) narrative, those boundaries have finally expanded to accompany a second performer in Blood Meal. On this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Zach sits down with Josh, Katie Rose, and Scott to learn more about how this team came together and how they've managed to virtually deliver the live theatre experience without trying to emulate it. Support TiQ here Read this episode's transcript here

For the premiere episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe's 5th season, Marketing Manager Raina sits down with dancer/dance teacher Dawn States of Dawn States Company fame. Grab some lemonade and, hell, put some ice in it as Raina and Dawn talk about her latest work Healing Connections, accessibility in art, and the life of an elf in Tamriel.  Read the transcript here.  

For our final episode of 2020, Marketing Manager Raina Searles and Individual Giving Manager Jennifer Shorstein sit down with Juliana Carter, our newest Board member and co-chair of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. We cover the ups and downs of 2020, where FringeArts is headed, and what we're ready to leave behind this year. Learn how you can support the work of FringeArts this year at FringeArts.com/support.

In this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Henry McDevitt, Podcast Production Intern speaks with Pete Dennis, a multi-instrumentalist, a composer, and the person behind “Search for the Infinite Light”. Listen to Henry and Pete discuss Pete’s background, improvisation, the upright bass, live performance, and the concerts that Pete has been organizing in an empty lot in North Philly. You can check out Pete’s music by visiting https://sftil.bandcamp.com/music.

In this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Artistic Producer Zach Blackwood speaks with Sally Ollove, a Philadelphia and Seattle based director and dramaturg who is the associate artistic director of Philadelphia’s Bearded Ladies Cabaret. This year The Bearded Ladies Cabaret is bringing you: Get Pegged Cabaret Feat. Tareke Ortiz, Veronica Chapman-Smith, and Emyne, as well as Sophie Sucre which will be presented Via Zoom on Friday, November 13th, and it is pay what you can. Listen to Zach and Sally discuss Sally’s background, the origins of The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, poison cookies, The Bearded Ladies’ transition to a digital medium, what audience members can expect at Get Pegged, and much more. Later in the episode, listen to Sally discuss the artists involved in Get Pegged, their origins, and their diverse performance styles. You can find out more about Get Pegged by visiting https://fringearts.com/

In this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Henry McDevitt, Podcast Production Intern speaks with Symphony Spell and Zachary Fairbrother of the Philadelphia-based band Ghösh. Listen to this conversation about satire in music, what is good or bad taste, the ritualistic nature of Ghösh’s live performances, the effect that Covid-19 has had on live music performance, Ghösh’s response to current unrest in Philadelphia, and more. You can find out more about Ghösh and listen to their music by visiting: https://ghosh.bandcamp.com/music. This episode will be the first installment in a three-part extension of our Global Pandemics series, in which we will talk with Philadelphia-based musicians and discuss the challenges that they are facing in the current moment.

In this episode, Marketing Manager Raina Searles and Artistic Producer Zach Blackwood take a look back at the process leading up to the 2020 Fringe Festival, the festival itself, and try to anticipate the future of Fringe Festivals. They address how this year’s festival has been different for the Fringe Arts organization itself, and for the people working behind the scenes to make the Fringe Festival happen. Listen to Zach and Raina discuss some special moments from this year's festival, the challenges that the Fringe Arts team and the artists who they worked with had to overcome, the future of the Fringe Festival, and more!

In this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Marketing Manager Raina Searles speak with Jarrod Markman, the Executive Director of the Da Vinci Art Alliance and creator of Da Vinci Fest Live, which will be showcasing the innovation, diversity, and artistry that makes Philadelphia so vibrant through art and science programs you can experience at home or in person with a live-stream starting on October 22nd at 6:30pm. Raina is also joined by Lisa Marie Patzer, a Philadelphia-based artist who is working on Philadelphia Forthcoming: The Endless Urban Portrait, one of the exhibits which will be featured as part of the festival. Philadelphia Forthcoming examines the histories of Philadelphia’s urban landscape in order to contextualize the contemporary urban experience and envision its possible future. Listen to Raina speak to Jarrod and Lisa Marie about the creation of this unique festival. You can find out more about the Da Vinci Art Alliance and learn how you can participate in Da Vinci Fest Live by visiting the D

In this mouth watering culinary themed episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Marketing Manager Raina Searles speaks with Bartender Resa Mueller and Chef Jezabel Careaga who will each be leading interactive culinary experiences during the 2020 Audi FEASTIVAL Virtual Dinner Series: No Pants, No Problem with Resa Mueller and Carnaval Jujeño with Jezebel Careaga. Listen to our guests discuss the origins of these events, their own backgrounds, their organizations response to the Covid Pandemic, and more!  To learn more about Resa and Jezebel's events, along with the other events that will be presented as part of the 2020 FEASTIVAL Virtual Dinner Series you can visit our website here: https://fringearts.com/audi-feastival/. 

As the 2020 Fringe Festival winds down we bring you this three part special. Artistic Producer Zach Blackwood and Fringe Festival coordinator April Rose are joined by three Philadelphia-based artists from both the independent and curated slates in the 2020 Fringe Festival: Tai Verley, an actor, artist, and Artistic Director of Revolution Shakespeare which presented 154 Revisited During Fringe; Nichole Canuso, choreographer and founder of Nichole Canuso Dance Company, which presented Being/With: Home during Fringe; and Brenna Geffers, a theater maker, director and cofounder of Die-Cast which presented Temporary Occupancy during Fringe. Listen to Zach and April speak to these artists about the transition from live presentation to digital media in the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, the nuts and bolts of the development process, what feels different in this new performance environment, and what they plan on taking with them into the future of their practices. To learn more about these artists you can visit their o

In this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Marketing Manager Raina Searles speaks with Liz Zimmerman, a local Philadelphia theater and event producer, a performer, and a certified project management professional. Liz will be presenting, “Project Management for Producers” as part of the 2020 Fringe Festival. Listen to Raina and Liz discuss theater production and what that work entails, how shared knowledge can supplement the areas where arts education is lacking, Liz's workshop video, bellydancing, and much more! You can find out more about Liz, and view "Project Management for Producers" by visiting the event page: https://fringearts.com/event/project-management-for-producers/ 

In this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe, Marketing Manager Raina Searles speaks with JJ Tiziou about "Walk Around Philadelphia: A Perimeter Pilgrimage", which is being presented as part of the 2020 Fringe Festival. This interactive experience gives participants the opportunity to transform their perspective on the city of Philadelphia by circumnavigating the perimeter. JJ describes this journey as an "opportunity to observe, to take in, to discover, and to embark on this in a spirit of curiosity, good will, and open-mindedness... The process of experiencing." Listen to JJ discuss his own experiences walking the perimeter, the sights and sounds which he has encountered, and the relationships he has developed along the way. JJ discusses how people can get involved with this project, and accessibility. To learn more about "Walk Around Philadelphia: A Perimeter Pilgrimage" and to find out how you can get involved, visit the Fringe Arts event page: https://fringearts.com/event/walk-around-philadelphia-a-perime

Today on the podcast artistic producer Katy Dammers speaks with Adrienne Mackey, founder and artistic director of Swim Pony, as well as Lizzie Hessek, a Program Manager of Trails and Recreation at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Adrienne and Lizzie discuss how Swim Pony and the PEC came together to collaborate alongside Toaster Lab and Michael Kiley to create the unique project that is TrailOff, which will be launching via the TrailOff app as part of the 2020 Fringe Festival. TrailOff is an immersive augmented reality audio performance which presents ten original audio narratives, each connected to paths within the Philadelphia region’s expansive Circuit Trails network. In this conversation, Lizzie and Adrienne discuss how their project grapples with environmental injustice by centering experiences that connect with communities traditionally underserved by environmental programming. Learn how you can download the TrailOff app, and find out more about the collaborators involved in this project by visit

In this episode of Happy Hour on the Fringe Marketing Manager Raina Searles talks with Rachel Gita Karp and Joseph Amodei whose production Packing and Cracking will run from September 23-September 30 as part of the 2020 Fringe festival. Packing and Cracking will be presented via zoom, and is an interactive mapmaking event which explores how politicians choose their voters through gerrymandering. Packing and Cracking combines critical cartography, gerrymandering history, and interviews with today’s politicians and reformers to reveal how easy and disenfranchising gerrymandering can be and to ask participants the critical question of “what, if anything, we should do about it?” Listen to Raina, Rachel, and Joseph discuss the making of Packing and Cracking, Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania, and what you can expect as a participant in Packing and Cracking.  To Learn more about Packing and Cracking and how to get involved you can visit the event page on Fringearts.com: https://fringearts.com/event/packing-and-cr