For me, the word “fringe” carries a connotation of a fraying edge. In the fabric of society, the “fringe” is the outer ring; misunderstood, misbehaving, and often misrepresented. If the past 4 days at this years Capital Fringe Festival have taught me anything, it’s that I’m right on with that definition. And that I wouldn’t want to exist anywhere else.
First, I have to admit I had a bit of an idea of what the Fringe Festival was going to be like coming in to the experience. I’m lucky enough to go to school in the culturally-diverse hotbed that is Boulder, Colorado, and had a good friend that participated in Boulder’s version of the Fringe Festival. So I knew to expect the various strange acting performances and definition-avoiding art that was to come. What I wasn’t expecting, however, became more important.
Going into it, I got the sense that it may be difficult to get the actors to open up about their performances and that it would be like pulling teeth to get interviews with them. In reality, it was almost the opposite. Often times Suzanna and myself found ourselves overwhelmed with the amount of people eager to talk in front of the large (and heavy, I might add) HD camera. After just one evening of fliming, we were overcome with a sense of joy and fulfillment borne out of working (if you can call it that) in an amazing environment, doing an amazing job, and meeting the most amazing people. It was one of those moments that if you could bottle it up and sell it you would end up becoming the most notorious drug lord the world had ever seen.
Make no mistake, these people are professional and exceptional actors. Whether it be puppet shows or musicals, solo or ensemble, the talent at the festival was unbelievable. Their craft had us laughing histarically, in awe of their range, believing in puppets, and reflecting the deeper meaning reflected in their performances (or lack thereof in some cases). Outside of their performances, the interviews blew me away. I mean, as actors I expected them to carry themselves well in front of the camera. What was unexpected was the clarity and eloquence with which they spoke; not only making our jobs as reporters easier but making the interview run more smoothly and conversational.
As I mentioned earlier, the Fringe Festival is technically a job for us. SIWJ as a whole is interning for the Capital Fringe Festival 2011 and is in charge of the creation of a Daily Dose for every day of the festival as well as a documentary incorporating elements like the history of the fringe, life at the fort (main venue), life at other venues, life of an attendee, and the life of a show (or actor). But regardless of the job or goal that I went in to the Fringe with, I came out with something much more. Something, dare I say, existential. A feeling. A mentality. An experience. A…I’m not even sure how to describe it. It was as if people I had never met were now my best friends and things I had never seen became common.
Basically, it was weird but in a totally awesome way.
And to avoid rambling I think I’ll end it there. But be sure to check out the Capital Fringe 2011 website and blog for more information on the Fringe itself or goings on around the festival. You won’t regret it.
Nick Rothschild 