What the Fringe?! (What the Fringe?!)

It’s rare when you get to sit feet away from an opera diva's performance. And this is the kind of experience you get when seeing Shelley Cooper perform one of her solo fringe shows. Shelley Cooper is the author and performer of La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas and Jenny Lind Presents P.T. Barnum. Both shows offer a behind-the-scenes look at the women’s lives, all while experiencing operatic gems. Shelley shares her fringe journey along with some great advice on WTF you should believe in your art.

Learn more about Shelley on her WEBSITE

Keep up with her on Instagram @musical_shelley

Visual artist Ruby Arnold of Spec Theatre shares her insight on WTF design and visual aesthetics are essential to the creation of fringe shows. Ruby has been working with Spec since 2016 as a designer and creative contributor, creating posters, props, puppets, merchandise, and more. Spec Theatre is well-known across the Canadian fringe circuit and has a reputation for presenting outrageous and thought-provoking shows that explore contemporary society.

Keep up with Ruby on Instagram @rubymakesthings

Learn more about Ruby's creative endeavors on her website. (We love Ruby's work; she was the creative drive behind the WTF logo. So, WTF are you waiting for? Hire her already!)

Learn more about ⁠Spec Theatre⁠.

We sit down with Martin Dockery, arguably one of the best fringe performers in North America, to talk about making a living as a full-time fringe artist, WTF fringe is so important, and all about his newest shows.  Martin is a Brooklyn-based artist who spends much of the year touring his 12 one-person shows and 7 two-person plays. He’s performed at over 100 fringe festivals, winning 50+ awards along the way.

Find out more about Martin on his WEBSITE

Keep up with him on Social Media on Instagram @martindockery1 and Facebook @martindockery

Get more than just a peek behind the curtain in Kimberly Prentice's new solo show, Unseen, which won Best One-Woman Show at the 2023 United Solo Theatre Festival. Utilizing the journey of dressers and other backstage workers, Unseen reaches into deeper truths of WTF it feels like to be unseen. Kimberly Prentice is a writer/actor/singer/dancer/producer who has also been a Broadway dresser for over 25 years. Not only does Kimberly give us the dish on her newest Fringe show, but she also gives us a glimpse into what it's like working in the theatre industry in New York City for decades.

WTF would hot dogs and dead guys help make a couple of theater makers become a fringe favorite? Today, Jake Mierva and Danylo Loutchko of an alleged Theatre Company tell us all about their fringe journey and how fringe has helped them push the boundaries of creativity to make shows that connect with audiences.

Learn more about an alleged Theatre Company

Keep up with an alleged Theatre Company on Instagram and Facebook @allegedtheatre

WTF is the best way to book your dream venue for fringe? Kate Duprey, Venue Manager for The Temple Theatre and The Company Theatre in Rochester, NY, tells all on how to work with venues. She also gives us a peek into the Temple Theatre’s diverse lineup for the 2024 Rochester Fringe.

Learn more about The Company Theatre.

Keep up with The Company Theatre on Instagram and Facebook @thecompanytheatreroc

Ever wonder how to produce a solo show? This week, Brad McEntire, a veteran of solo performance and author of Crafting the Solo Show, shares his knowledge and expertise. We discuss Brad’s most recent production, The Beast of Hyperborea and he give us some helpful tips on WTF to do to market fringe shows.

Learn more about Brad at www.BradMcEntirePlays.com

Purchase his book Crafting the Solo Show on Amazon.

Follow Audacity Theatre Lab and The Beast of Hyperborea on Instagram @audacitytheatrelab.

Timothy Kelly and Rachel Ropella were undergraduate theatre students who, on a whim, said, "WTF, let's apply for the Minnesota Fringe." After a few short years, the duo turned into Melancholics Anonymous. Due to the company's massive success at the Minnesota Fringe, Melancholics Anonymous has become a staple of the Minnesota theatre community. Hear all about their story and their newest show, Beanie Baby Divorce Play, which will debut at the 2024 Minnesota Fringe.

Learn more about Melancholics Anonymous on their WEBSITE.

Keep up with their antics on social media on Instagram @MelancholicsMN and FB at Melancholics Anonymous

Denver Aerial Dance Collective brings together dancers and choreographers from various dance backgrounds, including Ballet, Latin, Jazz, Contemporary, and Aerial dance, to create mesmerizing shows. Collective Member Taylor Coniglio tells us about the collective's unique Fringe history, the secrets behind working in a collective, and WTF their shows are so breathtaking.

Keep up with DADC HERE

Find them on Instagram @denver_aerial_dance_collective

If you like WTF's theme music, you will love today's guest! Paul Snider of Orchestra of Sound (and creator of our theme song) is joining us to talk all things fringe and being a working artist. He is one fascinating dude and you will learn so much from him.

Connect with Paul on his WEBSITE.

Keep up with his production on Instagram @theorchestraofsound and on Facebook at Orchestra of Sound

Turning creepy into hilarious. Blair Moro, the creator and producer of Cabaret of Murder, shares how a show based on works of art created by serial killers turned into a Best of Fringe show and plays to sold-out crowds across Canada. He also shares a wealth of wisdom on the best ways to fringe.

Keep up with Cabaret of Murder on Instagram @cabaretofmurder

Check out Blair's YouTube Chanel Totodile Tales.

Welcome to What the Fringe?! Episode 0. The roles are flipped when host Lauren Hance becomes the guest and is interviewed by guest host Rozie DeLoach-Zimmerman of the OMO podcast. Best friends since 7th grade, the ladies get down and fringey about why the podcast started and where it is headed.

Learn more about Lauren's show Holy O and follow her on Instagram @theholyoplay

Follow What the Fringe?! on Instagram @whatthefringe_podcast

If you are curious about all things violins, check out OMO

Creating safe spaces can be a challenge, particularly in the fringe environment. Josie Nixon, the creator and host of EXPOSED Storytelling, gives us a deep dive into living a life exposed that will have you thinking and maybe even wiping away a few tears. WTF Josie, making us feel, in all the best ways?!

Learn more about EXPOSED.

Follow EXPOSED on Instagram and Facebook @xposedstorytelling

* A note to listeners: this episode contains brief descriptions of intimate partner violence. If this is not for you, please feel free to let this episode pass, and we will catch you next time.

For help with sexual assault, please reach out to RAINN on the WEB or by phone at 800.656.4673.

If you have been to the Midwest, you know it is delightful, and if you haven't, WTF are you waiting for?! The Omaha Fringe Festival is making its way in the Midwest and is well worth your time. The Omaha Fringe strives to bring the different members of the Omaha theatre community together for one open-access and inclusive festival where theatre artists can experiment with new works, and audiences can experience new theatrical movements. The Omaha Fringe Festival 2024 runs August 8-11.

Learn more about the Omaha Fringe Festival.

Follow the Omaha Fringe Festival on Instagram @omahafringefestival and on Facebook at Omaha Fringe Festival.

WTF we completed the first season! As What the Fringe?! comes to a close for 2024, Lauren sits down with Amelia Peterson, director and developer of Holy O. The ladies dish on Amelia’s most recent projects in Knoxville, Lauren’s 2024 fringe season, and the WTF Awards (who knew)! What the Fringe saw 49 shows this fringe season and has a few awards to give out before we take a short break. Don’t worry, What the Fringe?! will return in 2025 with a whole new roster of artists and advice for your fringe journey.

Learn more about River & Rail Theatre

Follow What the Fringe?! on Instagram @whatthefringe_podcast

If you go to a show by PUSH Physical Theatre, you will probably find yourself saying, “WTF, how do they do that?!” PUSH was created by husband and wife team Darren and Heather Stevenson and combines multiple physical art forms to create something truly spectacular. Darren sits down with Lauren to talk about the development of the award-winning company and how participating in fringe over the past few years has continued to shape who he is as an artist.

Learn more about PUSH Physical Theatre HERE.

Keep up with PUSH on Instagram, Facebook, and TiKTok @pushtheatre

Miyo Yamauchi, known as Miyo the Storyteller, shares what performing in her second language is like in her show "How To Be Japanese: My Normal Is Not Your Normal." Miyo also reveals updates on the incredible technology she is developing called Slide Teller, which empowers the blind to effortlessly listen to audio descriptions of slides in any show or presentation, creating a world where no one is left behind.

Connect with Miyo at: https://miyo.net/

Learn more about Slide Teller at: https://slideteller.com/

Special Thanks to Paul Snider of Orchestra of Sound and Ruby Arnold of Ruby Makes Things.

Happy World Fringe Day! We did something super fringey and put out an open call to our fringey friends. Today’s episode features 14 different productions complete with the best fringe stories and advice!

Check out all of the productions on their websites and follow them on Instagram! Better yet, go see the shows!!! WTF are you waiting for?!

Dear Annie, I Hate You | @dearannie_ihateyou

Non-Player Character: Live Virtual Reality Musical | @brendanAbradley

Bangs, Bobs & Banter: Confessions of a Hairstylist | @gravity_theatre

That's So Magically Meta | @magicallymeta

Whore's Eye View | @oldprosonline

CRISPR: The Musical! | @crispr_the_musical

Main Street Players | @terryfykemsp

Do This One Thing for Me | @dothisonethingforme

Art Of Selling Out | @JackiThrappp

Cirque Us Stories  | @thecirqueus

Whatever Fate Decides | @whateverfatedecides

Colored Silk: A Civil War Odyssey  | @colored.silk

Meet Me in Buenos Aires | @florencia_iriondo

A Letter To Lyndon B Johnson Or God: Whoever Reads This First | @xhloeandnatasha

Reference articles concerning Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s veto of state-wide arts funding.

Orlando Weekly Article

NPR Report

CBS Miami Deep Dive

WTF do Gerard Butler, horses, and fruit salad have to do with Chase Brantley? World-renowned clown Chase Brantley visits with us on clowning in the US, the top secret tips on successful clowning, and his newest show, Don Doberman: Ping Pong Champ. This episode is no joke.

Keep up with Chase on Instagram @moonlight.theater.company

Ever dreamed of performing in New York on Off-Broadway? United Solo Theatre Festival gives solo performers that opportunity. Twice a year, United Solo brings solo artists from all over the world to the stage to tell their stories. Wendy-Lane Bailey, the Vice Artistic Director of the United Solo Theatre Festival, sits down with Lauren to dish on the festival and WTF you need to apply and be a part of the world's largest solo theatre festival.

Learn more about United Solo

Learn more about Wendy Lane Bailey

Enter to WIN 2 TICKETS to the Fall 2024 United Solo Theatre Festival on Instagram @whatthefringe_podcast

Keep up with United Solo on Instagram @unitedsolo and Facebook @unitedsolofestival

Grease is the word in this episode featuring Canadian solo artist Megan Phillips of Grease, Too! and Megan's Making It. Meg and Lauren discuss everything from the value of solo theatre to obsessing over Grease and WTF you should fart on stage.

Connect with Megan HERE

Follow her on Instagram @MegNatPhil

You've seen them, those people who walk around public talking to themselves; they're crazy, right? Turns out they're probably just writing a stand-up routine. Stand-up comedian Joshua Emerson gets real about the life of a comedian and the perspective his Navajo heritage brings to his work. Joshua and Lauren discuss the creative process, the Navajo's epic clapback, and WTF the shampoo with No More Tears has to do with comedy.

Keep up with Joshua on Instagram @dangeremerson

Take a trip to the Island Spectacle at the Cres Fringe Festival. Founder and director Celeste de Moriae shares the beauty of Cres,Croatia and WTF you need to put this festival on your GO TO list, which may or may not have to do with sneaky octopuses.

Visit the Cres Fringe Festival Website

Follow Cres Fringe Festival on Facebook and Instagram

Connect with Celeste HERE

WTF is the best way to get a reviewer to come to your show? This week, Lauren sits down with theatre reviewer Jill Schafer to demystify the performer-reviewer relationship. Jill runs the very popular Minneapolis theatre blog Cherry and Spoon. Fringe is one of her favorite times of the year, and she strives to see and review upwards of 30 shows each festival.

Read Jill's reviews at Cherry and Spoon

Learn more about Twin Cities Theatre Bloggers

Listen to Twin Cities Theatre Chat

Keep up with Jill on Instagram and Facebook @Cherryandspoon and @twincitiestheaterbloggers

WTF is the best way to deal with trauma? With humor of course! Maarika Freund discusses her show PEACHES: THE PLAY and how she was able to process and then turn the most traumatic experience of her life into a comedy. Plus, hear how Maarika became one of our fringe besties.

Maarika co-wrote, co-produced, and co-starred in the web series “Millie & Midge,” has had her work featured at the L.A. Comedy Festival, and is the creator of PEACHES: THE PODCAST, which is being developed into a television series. Maarika is a founding member of My Voice, My Choice, an initiative that successfully changed the Canadian Criminal Code on October 26th, 2023, in order to secure better rights for victims of s*xual assault.

*A note to listeners: this episode contains discussions of s*xual violence. If this is not for you at this time, please let this episode pass, and we will catch you next time.

Learn more about Maarika on her WEBSITE.

Keep up with Maarika on Instagram @peaches.thepodcast and @maarikaisfunny

If you need assistance with s*xual violence, please reach out to:

Ending Violence Association of Canada

RAINN in the US

The Survivors Trust in the UK

If you want to know how to fringe Amber Bjork is your person. Amber serves as the artist Liaison for the Minnesota Fringe Festival, is a solo performer, and has produced and directed shows at the MN fringe for the last decade. She knows everything there is to know about fringe, but you have to listen to the end to find out WTF someone recently mistakenly labeled her “Amber Bjork, relatively new to theatre.”

Learn more about The Winding Sheet Outfit

Learn more about The Minnesota Fringe Festival

Learn more about Transatlantic Love Affair

William D’Ovidio and wife Jennifer never dreamed of running away with the circus, but that is exactly what they have done. The Aerial Arts of Rochester began with pole fitness classes and, over the years, has blossomed into a training studio for multiple circus arts, and fringe has been a big part of how the company has grown over the years. William sits down with Lauren to talk circus arts and WTF aerial arts has to do with healing ailments in his life.  

Learn more about the Aerial Arts of Rochester on their WEBSITE.

Keep up with them on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @aerialartsrochester

Kate Sweeney teaches a semester course on Fringe Theatre at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY. Like WTF, that is so cool, (can I take that class)! Kate has been participating in the Rochester Fringe Festival for some years now as a show producer and served two years as the Director of Production. If anyone knows the ins and outs of the Rochester Fringe and what it takes to put on a show, it’s Kate.