We asked the Fringe team to share their favourite things about theatre. From the dim of the lights to that perfectly timed first line, and the magic of the rehearsal process to a raucous standing ovation, there’s so much to love (and miss!) about live theatre.
NAME:
Adam
POSITION:
Executive Director
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Support my local punk rock music scene.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
My favourite thing about theatre is the moment a scene or scenic element causes an audible, uncontrollable audience reaction. Gasp! Yasss! Jump up and shout Bravo!
NAME:
Amanda
POSITION:
Marketing Specialist, Enthusiastic Co-Conspirator in All Things Fringe (unofficial title)
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I dabble in many things: music, writing, painting, cross-stitch, woodworking, etc etc. If it’s a creative project, I’ll give it a go.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
Getting to live in someone else’s story for a bit, and to experience the world through different perspectives.
NAME:
Beth
POSITION:
Client Relations Coordinator
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Director, lighting designer.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
Just one?! Script break-throughs when developing new work, or witnessing audience members react in intimate/immersive performance, or introducing someone to an amazing local theatre artist, or dream-big collaborators on and off stage, or the vulnerability of building trust in the rehearsal process, or the first audible reaction from the audience on opening night, or being a part of a cascade of sniffles or giggles or gasps in the audience, or that time an usher gave me kleenex and stayed with me while I ugly-sobbed in my seat well after curtain call, or the first time a difficult cue sequence is executed flawlessly, or the way a really beautiful and simple performance moment can steal your breath, or happy accidents, or when something goes wrong and the entire team seamlessly fixes it without missing a beat, or going to a show alone but knowing you’re experiencing it with everyone there. Oh, and leaving the ghost light on.
NAME:
Bradley
POSITION:
Information Systems Analyst
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Weird internet art things and bad covers of pop songs.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
The feeling of viewing something crafted with love. When you watch something so well done that you just know so much heart went into it.
NAME:
Chris
POSITION:
Director of production and Facility
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I get to help production manage and be Technical director of fun creative shows when not at the Fringe.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
Watching something that was a wild crazy idea once on paper, become something amazing and beautiful filled with talented passionate people.
NAME:
Dana
POSITION:
Administrative Executive
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I’m writing a musical.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
“I do ballet because it has nothing to do with the people. Give me tiaras and boys in tights any day” – Center Stage.
NAME:
Drew
POSITION:
Volunteer Manager
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I am a patron and lover of many types of art: theatre, music, opera, visual art, etc.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
My favourite things about theatre is the power that is has to transport and immerse you in a world completely different from your own.
NAME:
Erin
POSITION:
Development Specialist
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I’m a stage manager.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
My favourite thing about theatre is the creative team and the beautiful story we make together when everyone onstage and backstage gives their very best. Also, those unforgettable show moments when you are full belly-laughing but weeping because your heart is breaking at the same time? Magic.
NAME:
Gerald
POSITION:
Office Manager
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I am a playwright and director and have presented numerous productions through the Fringe, the Alberta Drama Festival Association, Workshop West, Theatre Network, Catalyst Theatre, Jagged Edge Lunchbox Theatre, Script Salon and Walterdale Theatre. My plays have been presented in such exotic locales as Vancouver, Medicine Hat, Calgary, High River, Leduc, Red Deer and Whitecourt.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
I always thought that theatre was about sitting in a darkened space with a bunch of strangers sharing a common in-person experience but now, due to the restrictions of the pandemic, theatre has morphed into a variety of other amazing (and often digital) things.
NAME:
Julianna
POSITION:
Patron Services Manager
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Actor
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
Being able to create an entire world for yourselves and the audience. Being able to bring a group of people into a story is my favourite!
NAME:
Katreena
POSITION:
Director of Finance
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Arts lover, arts supporter, actor
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
My favourite thing about theatre is being drawn into the story
NAME:
Lindy
POSITION:
Programming Administrator
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Stage management & learning new crafts like paper making.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
I’m fascinated by a show’s history & intensions discovered in rehearsal. I live for the seconds between the house lights going down and show lights coming up.
NAME:
Megan
POSITION:
Communications Specialist
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I’m a playwright, poet, event producer, and arts enthusiast
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
The simultaneous excitement and dread that comes with reading a brand new script aloud for the first time; the magical discoveries and beautiful ah-ha!’s made with your collaborators during the creative process; the truly supportive, wildly creative, problem-solving prowess, and absolutely community-minded nature of theatre makers; that moment when an audience laughs at a part of the script you didn’t even know was funny; and the conversations, big and small, that theatre starts.
NAME:
Meghan
POSITION:
Resident Technician
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I am a current theatre enthusiast, former amateur singer/hobbyist dancer/community theater actor/ causal hair and wig stylist.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
My favourite thing about theatre is the visceral response a live performance can evoke for an audience of hundreds through nothing more than a moment, a musical note, or simply some well-timed silence.
NAME:
Murray
POSITION:
Artistic Director
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I consider my Ashtanga Yoga practice a craft which involves the rigour of artistic practice. I am on a life’s journey with music.
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
When the lights begin to dim. In that moment, anything is possible.
NAME:
Selina
POSITION:
Technical Director
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I sketch, I sing, I play guitar and I see as much theatre as possible!
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
I have two favourite things about theatre. The first is the powerful, visceral connection and transcendence that theatre can plant in a space. The other is a well timed black out because nothing beats it.
NAME:
Teresa
POSITION:
Cafe Manager
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Creatively these days I create a mess with my kids with crayons, play dough, paint and many edible food mediums. I support Edmonton’s local music scene (these days via online performances), I love seeing live music and miss it greatly!
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE?
My Favourite thing about theatre is the moment when the lights go down, the audience is quiet and the first line is spoken. Gives me chills every time.
NAME:
Tessa
POSITION:
Festival Administration Coordinator
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
Scenic Designer (Costumes, Set/Props, Lighting), Stage Management, Paint retailer & Instructor
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
I have the most incredible, intense, loyal friendships forged in the fires of long hours, stressful days and that place in rehearsal where magic happens. Process my theatre friends, my favourite thing about theatre is the time spent nose deep with you in the creative soup.
NAME:
Thomas
POSITION:
Festival Volunteer Assistant
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT FRINGE?
I’m an arts lover and dabble in piano here and there!
YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THEATRE:
My favourite thing about theatre is the common experience, everyone leaves the room having been through the same journey, while taking away something unique from the experience.
Edmonton Fringe exists because theatre exists, and what exists here doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. When you support Fringe Theatre, you help us help artists so they can continue doing what they do best: create, perform, share the power of story, and wow you. All donations receive a charitable tax receipt.