Re: RAT Fringe festivals

[kafclown@well.com]

I've done three Fringe Festivals in the last couple of years-- Montreal,
Minnesota, and San Francisco  I've missed the deadlines for this year's
festivals, but I keep on meaning to do a Canadian run-- start in Montreal
and work my way to Vancouver.  Perhaps next year?

Of the three, I got great reviews everywhere-- great response everywhere,
and the people running the festival/in the festival were almost without
exception great people,  but my favorite of the Festival administration was
MOntreal.  Here's why:

1) The Beer Tent-- Montreal had a central place near the venues where
performers and audience members could hang out and meet.  It became an
essential part of selling your show-- hanging out at the Beer tent and
talking to people, talking up your show, etc.  Plus the making
friends/social aspect of that are fabulous.

2) The Wall-- along one wall of the Beer Tent were audience comments that
people would write-- sometimes group members would write them about
themselves, so they'd be worthless, but having the opportunity for people
to comment anonymously about your show is pretty cool and fun.

3) The Organization-- Montreal was really on top of what was happening and
when.  Through a walky-talky system all shows started at the same time,
everybody was connected, and people generally didn't miss a show that they
wanted to see.   Both Minneapolis and S.F. were a little bit more catch as
catch can.


In general I'd recommend doing a Fringe Festival-- but I'd only do one if
you have a strong show with some audience appeal.  The crowds can be
ruthless to a show that they chose that isn't strong (which means they
missed some other show instead.)  Also, when they say light technical
requirements, I would believe them.  I recommend having a show that's
shorter than average if you have a highly technical show.  The theatre
turnover is pretty tight.