Capital Fringe Blog

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day # 5 – Colin Dieck

capitalfringeblog — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:13:10 +0000

Colin hails from Gloucester, MA, the town whose claim to fame comes from being the setting for The Perfect Storm. He stayed in New England for college, majoring in Religion at Bowdoin College in Maine, but traveled extensively after graduation, teaching English, working odd jobs and performing construction duties. Colin also made it out to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe one year and worked as a lighting designer for a Korean theatre company. He returned to Boston for a year but has been living in DC with his brother since June 2010. In that time, Colin has worked for a number of performing arts venues around the area, including the Keegan Theatre, the Spooky Action Theater, the WSCAvant Bard in Arlington, VA and the Active Cultures Theatre in Riverdale Park, MD.

Colin first worked at the Capital Fringe Festival in 2010 as a Venue Manager, and is currently part of the Loading Team, as well as being a technician on call. “I basically do whatever needs doing involving electrics and carpentry,” he says. “Working here is a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to meet other people in theatre.” Colin also enjoys being able to stay in the city for a summertime job. “I really like being in DC. There’s plenty to do here and it’s always fun to go somewhere new. I just wish the beer were cheaper— it’s much less expensive back in New England!”

Colin roots for all of Boston’s pro sports teams, particularly the Red Sox, but has also taken a liking to the DC teams since moving here two years ago. “It was too painful to watch the Capitals play the Bruins in the playoffs!” he says of the opening round of this year’s NHL Playoffs, in which Washington edged Boston in a seven-game series. “I pretty much sat that one out!” Colin is excited to see The Avengers and Moonrise Kingdom in theatres this summer, and says his ideal superpower would be “the gift of flight… as long as I stay mindful of pressurization!” He is also an avid reader and is currently making his way through A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day #4 – Brendan Fitzpatrick

capitalfringeblog — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:12:01 +0000

A native of South Carolina, Brendan majored in Technical Theatre at Lander University and then proceeded to “criss-cross the Eastern Seaboard” in search of jobs. He has since worked at the Signature Theatre and the Village Light Opera Group in New York, as well as the Shakespeare Theatre, the Arena Stage, and the Constellation Theatre in Washington, DC.

Now in his third year as Master Carpenter at the Capital Fringe Festival, Brendan is in charge of “implementing the ideas and designs of more creative people… into reality as stages, bars and venues.” He has made a great body of friends amongst the Capital Fringe staff and admires what the festival stands for: “the chance for up-and-coming artists to perform their new plays… and bring small-time theatre to the masses in a way that can’t be done by mainstream companies.”

As a self-described “Star Wars nerd,” Brendan has hosted marathon viewings of the saga at his home and often works to the sound of his “Star Wars mix”— a mash-up of musical Star Wars parodies assembled in mixtape form. He is known for his intense skills at Ultimate Frisbee and also enjoys the plays of Eugene O’Neill, Tony Kushner and Shakespeare.

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day # 3 – Kate Shawcross

capitalfringeblog — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:10:23 +0000

Kate is originally from upstate New York, near the Canadian border, and attended both SUNY and l’Institut Catholique de Paris. “I studied Philosophy and Existentialism in college,” she explains, “and now, as a Venue Manager, I’m overseeing a Fringe version of No Exit – how fitting!” Kate has had a diverse range of communications-themed jobs, having worked for NBC, NPR, National Geographic and WAMU, where she is currently employed.

Kate joined the Capital Fringe Staff last summer as a Venue Manager at the Goethe Institut. This year, she moved a couple blocks up the street to the Mt. Vernon Methodist Church and is serving as the Venue Manager of the B103 stage. “I love working with both the audience and artists,” says Kate of her job, “all while making sure that everybody has a positive experience. You meet some of the most interesting people at Capital Fringe – bomb masters, aikido black belts, and all kinds of creative people. It’s very fascinating.”

Kate has experience as an archaeologist and even got to study at the famed Stonehenge site for a time. She loves ice hockey – something she attributes to having grown up so close to Canada – and describes herself as a serious Beatles fan. “I’m working on my debut novel,” she reveals, “and I want to see the movie Ruby Sparks because it’s all about overcoming writer’s block. I can so relate!” Her top choice for a superpower would be invisibility, and with the help of a time machine, “I would like to go to 1920’s era Paris and Greenwich Village, so I could meet all the writers, artists and activists who were at work then. Plus it would be fascinating to be with Winston Churchill in the war room; he’s such a giant of history!”

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day #2 – Shannon Reynolds

capitalfringeblog — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:08:57 +0000

Shannon grew up just outside of Detroit and headed one state south for college at Indiana University, where she majored in Political Science. She worked at the box office of her school auditorium throughout her undergraduate career and decided to search for jobs in that area after graduating. Her efforts paid off; since coming to DC, Shannon has landed positions at the Arena Stage and Ford’s Theatre box offices, and is currently employed at the Signature Theatre in Arlington. She has attended the Capital Fringe Festival in previous years and it turns out that “it ended up working well with my schedule to come here a few days a week for work.”

As a Box Office Assistant, Shannon is responsible for “selling tickets, redeeming passes, and giving out general info about locations of venues.” Although she only just began working here recently, Shannon can already tell that “the festival is pretty cool and allows lots of smaller productions the space to perform their shows. I’m excited to be a part of it.” She has also enjoyed her time living in DC, as there is “so much to do in the area, from going to the theatre to all of those restaurants.”

In her spare time, Shannon enjoys reading, hanging out with her friends and tending to her dog and cat. She is a major sports fan, rooting for every team from Michigan football and Indiana basketball to professional teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings. She also enjoys musical acts like the Counting Crows and is still trying to get out and see The Hunger Games, although it’s now nearing the end of its theatrical run. “Flying would be a pretty cool superpower,” she also adds.

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day #1 – Ben Housekeeper

capitalfringeblog — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:07:29 +0000

Ben is from Ohio and studied Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has been involved with bartending and table services for some time, including a stint at the Green Leafe Cafe in Williamsburg, VA, and also participated in theatre throughout his time in high school. Given this combination of experiences, Ben felt that a position as a Capital Fringe Festival Bartender was a solid match for him and applied for this job upon learning about it on Craigslist.

“I provide food and beverages for the guests and make sure nothing too crazy ever happens,” he explains. “I like the culture and atmosphere that’s produced here and admire how people in bands and acting troupes can have the opportunity to perform onstage thanks to Fringe.”

“I’m a huge nerd, but also love sports,” says Ben, who enjoys playing and/or following basketball, golf and football. “I would also love to have Wolverine’s abilities, if possible.”

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day – Terry Cangelosi

capitalfringeblog — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 18:39:43 +0000

Terry comes from Grand Rapids, MI and studied theatre at the nearby Kalamazoo College. Other than a brief period in Chicago, Terry has spent the last three years living in Washington, DC. He works primarily as a Facilities Coordinator at the Imagination Stage in Bethesda and is now staging a production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Terry came across the Capital Fringe Festival a couple of years ago and is presently working as a Venue Manager at the Shop. “I just have to make sure everything’s working all right and to get people in and out of line,” he says. “I like getting to meet a lot of new people by working here. It’s also great to give everyone an opportunity to do what they want to do as a performer. In general, I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve discovered in the DC Theatre scene.”

Terry has gotten to travel a decent amount in his life, having visited Australia, Botswana, Guatemala and Canada. He loves baseball and is a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, but at the same time admits that “the Nats have been growing on me” ever since he moved to DC. He also claims to have inspired Roger Bernadina’s nickname, “The Shark,” after attending Nationals Park in a shark costume – The Washington Post even has his back on this one! Terry listens to a wide variety of music, including “the Shins, the New Pornographers, the Grateful Dead, and my girl T-Swizzle!” His all-time favorite movies are Rocky and It’s A Wonderful Life – “I’m just a huge Jimmy Stewart and Sylvester Stallone fan in general” – and he is pumped to see some new current releases such as The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises. “I would love to have the power of super strength,” Terry says. “It would just make life a whole lot easier. Plus, I would love to travel back to the Jurassic Era and just kick it with the dinosaurs.”

Capital Fringe Festival 2012– Final Press Roundup #7

capitalfringeblog — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:05:46 +0000

Lucky #7! Rounding up this year’s Fringe Festival:

CNN interviews Julianne Brienza– Fringe Festival: Art for these shaky times.

DC Metro Theatre Art’s top picks: Best of the Capital Fringe, plus all 130 show reviews.

From the Washington Post:

Soaking up the atmosphere at the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar.

Capital Fringe will stay put for another year

Fringe births talent; now DC’s theaters have to help raise it

TheaterMania announces this year’s Audience Awards recepients.

DCist gives a final look at this year’s festival, plus reviews of In the Company of de Sade, Making Love Legal and The Every Fringe Show You Want to See in One Fringe Show.

Reviews of the several Fringe plays about the Occupy movement, from Fringe & Purge.

Julianne Brienza’s Favorite Fringe Things from DC Theatre Scene, plus reviews of Inanimate Thoughts, Raising Cane, The Mercy Seat, and more.

See you in the fall Nov. 1 to 18 for fallFRINGE!

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day – Sara Wright

capitalfringeblog — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:41:33 +0000

Sara grew up in nearby Bethesda, MD and attended Walt Whitman High School, where she was a pitcher on the softball team. She majored in theatre at the University of Maryland and worked part-time at the Imagination Stage in Bethesda throughout her time in college. After graduating, Sara was promoted to a full-time position at the same theatre, working at box office sales and house management.

Several of Sara’s friends who were employed at Capital Fringe informed her about the festival and put her in touch with Cory Frank, who soon e-mailed her about an open position as a Box Office Assistant. “I’m happy that we were able to make it work,” she says. “It’s kind of rough having a 15-hour work day, but I can manage!” Her favorite part of her job is “getting to greet patrons and figuring out where everyone wants to go. I like having face time with people, finding out what they do or don’t want to see, and then making it happen for them, hopefully.” Furthermore, Sara admits that she loves “the diversity at Fringe, the opportunity to see so many plays, and hanging out with theatre people for three straight weeks!”

Sara describes herself as “a tomboy and a born-and-bred Redskins fan.” Her dream concert would feature Enter the Haggis, a Canadian Indie/Scottish/Folk Rock world-fusion band (“they’re amazing and I love them dearly!”), as well as British folk rock band Mumford & Sons and indie-pop singer Ingrid Michaelson. Sara enjoyed seeing The Avengers this summer and hopes to catch The Dark Knight Rises whenever possible. Her superpower of choice would be the ability to fly and it took her less than a second to declare the first place she’d travel to in a time machine would be “Elizabethan England, especially the fishing town of Dingle, Ireland!”

Capital Fringe Staff Person of the Day – Rachel Wyle

capitalfringeblog — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 19:48:01 +0000

A native Floridan, Rachel majored in Theatre Production and Stage Management at the University of Florida and later relocated to Washington, DC to begin an internship at the Kennedy Center. After a few jobs with theatres and television channels, Rachel learned about the Capital Fringe Festival through the website of the DC Cultural Alliance. As Venue Manager of the Warehouse Theatre, Rachel is responsible for “maintaining the venue, backstage space, lighting equipment, box office, bathrooms and other general maintenance.” She is principally in charge of “making sure that groups get in and out smoothly, and facilitating their needs as they come and go.”
So far, Rachel feels that working with Capital Fringe has been a very positive experience. “Fringe theatre is very accessible to everyone,” she says. “Meeting people from all these different theatre companies has been very enjoyable. They’re very self-motivated, and will put up a show because they’re passionate about it, not just for the money.” Rachel has also made the most of her time in DC. “I love it here!” she exclaims. “It’s a big urban city but has a very taut feel to it. There are no skyscrapers, and you can run into people you know every day!”
Rachel devotes her free time to “travel books, kayaking, frisbee, golf, skiing and being outdoors. Basically, anything involving water and sunshine!” When it comes to sports, Rachel will root for the Florida Gators (her alma mater‘s team), the Washington Capitals, and whoever Tim Tebow is playing for. Her top two desired superpowers are x-ray vision and flying.

Capital Fringe Festival 2012– Press Roundup #6

capitalfringeblog — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:25:53 +0000

Washington Post– Planet Egg, Tent of Dreams: An Occuplay, Stopgap, Hamlet, Blanche: The Bittersweet Life of a Wild Prairie Dame, Mein Kampf, SINGLEMARRIEDGIRL, We Tiresias, and Tales of Marriage and Mozzarella.

DCist reviews Fringe’s burlesque shows, plus DADA Returns!, A Year of Giving, Aaaaagh! Murder! and DC Trash.

We Love DC recaps Fringe Week 2 with reviews of The Last Flapper, The City of God, McGoddess, and more.

DC Metro Theatre Arts: The Outcasts of Poker Flat, Discharged, Me and the Devil Blues, Jilly Manilly, Sweet Painted Lady,

Beertown review from Washingtonian.

Montgomery County Voice reviews President Harding is a Rock Star and The Brontes.

As always… PLEASE NOTE:

We try to post all that seem logical for you our readers to read… but if we missed something – hey, just say so. AND don’t take reviews too seriously - everyone has their own opinion… get out there and form yours about this year’s crop of Fringe shows.