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!

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

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.