What the Fringe?!

WTF do you do when you find it difficult to get cast? Pave your own way! This is exactly what Merrilyn Greer has done, and she’s never looked back. Merrilyn is a singer, actress, and theatre creator who specializes in vintage theatrical entertainment for the young and old at heart. She has a proven track record for producing quality theatre and cabaret both as a performer, writer, and producer for...

Failing big is the key to winning at clowning. But what if your clown is a classically trained cellist, and failing isn’t an option? Karen Hall has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and even spent 4 seasons on Glee as the cellist. So, WTF is she doing at the fringe? Karen shares her story of combining the art of clowning and cello and finding a place to fit in at the fringe...

WTF?! We have the most incredible fringe producer, Joanne Hartstone, kicking off season 2 of What the Fringe?! Joanne is a key figure in the Adelaide arts scene, continuing to push the boundaries of theatre through innovative programming and international collaboration. She has won numerous awards and has been working in the fringe scene since 2006. Joanne shares her journey to becoming a producer...

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 worr...

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 tho...

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 S...

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...

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 experienci...

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 @thecompanytheatre...

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 WT...

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...

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, i...

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...

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...

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...

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 alo...

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-Play...

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

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...

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 audien...

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. C...

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 no...

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

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 F...

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 Totodi...