And So It Begins - Fringe For All
"It's my first Fringe For All", I say for the hundredth time Monday. I'm excitable, and have a childlike penchant for sharing my excitement. My friends reminisce about the last time they were in this audience, a couple of them trading stories of when they took the Fringe For All stage themselves. I'm looking around, munching hors d'oeuvres, impressed that Fringe has taken over Club Soda for the event. Sure, Mainline is great, and it's the heart of the Festival, but this is snazzy. It feels elevated, professional, kind of classy.
It's my first time covering Fringe Festival (have I said that?!), but I already see familiar faces in the crowd. Not many, granted, as some people seem to know everyone, but it's a start. We've arrived early for the VIP event (I do enjoy being a VIP), so we're already there as people slowly trickle, and then veritably spill in. It's crowded -- concert crowded, party crowded, Saturday night crowded. Not only are the Fringers dedicated, this proves that their fans and friends are too, and I'm tickled by the turnout.
Magic invisible backstage hands keep replacing snacks so the table appears eternally fresh and full, and while I'm not shy, I do try to be subtle. I've had beer, but not dinner, so I'm trying to stay balanced. At one point I excuse myself to get some more, and find the table empty, a definite sign that it's nearly showtime. I hurry back to our table.
74 of the 90 shows have a representative (or the whole cast) here tonight to pitch their plays. Each participant gets two minutes to, well, do whatever they want. For instance, if they think a song will best convey the vibe of their show, they'll do it. If a pre-recorded message that looks like it's coming out of a stethoscope is the most telling (which for one performer it was), then do it. No holds barred. Of course, with venue and the law permitting.
Filmed submissions were played on the screen above the stage, showing dancers practicing, accolades listed. I was able to touch base with Kirstin Govers of Two Left Feet Productions MTL, whose video for La Ballerine Maladroite played while she watched from the audience like the rest of us. "...my heart was beating so fast while my video was playing. I was thinking, 'I hope this is enough. I hope people like it and that people come to see the show. Maybe taking the stage would have been better, stronger.' All of this ran through my mind, but simultaneously thinking, 'I can’t wait to do this show!'...I’m beyond thrilled!”
Two minutes is either 120 very long seconds, or the blink of an eye, and I try to imagine how the performers are feeling in those moments. Thankfully, Hannah Cartmel of Priddy Playful Productions (Once Upon a Time and Never Again… An Improvised Fairytale) shared her experience with me. "The energy in the room was awesome, which really pumped us up for our performance. Our time on stage flew by! It went by much quicker than in our practices. It was a great evening. We loved watching the other acts and had a lot of fun."
One group shoots candy into the audience, Shannon Rzucidlo and her personal/universal ensemble took suggestions from the audience for an improv. It's obvious how much these people have invested into their projects; the time, the heart, and all of them are jazzed to finally be sharing it with the public. If Fringe seemed distant or impossible, this is the moment when it all becomes real.
Paul de Tourrel (aka postitpaul, 9 Lives, 8 Near-Misses: Life Lessons from Near-Death Events) confirms my suspicion that this is the true start of Fringe. "As both a fan and a performer, the FFA has always been the official launch of the festival, even more than the Fringe Park opening, or the first show I see. It’s something quite unique amidst all the other more polished, staid, conventional festivals out there, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!"
The audience is taking note, of course. No one can see every show in the festival, so tough decisions will be made. Aside from the write-ups included in the program, this is the only chance to catch a sneak peek of what to expect before planning your schedule and buying your tickets. It strikes me that more theatre companies should do this. A little taste of the season's shows to whet the appetite, make you want more. I'm one of the many people who finds it harder to start than continue: once I've been to a place, or done a thing, it's easier the next time, so a slow boil of sorts usually gets my attention.
Fringe Public Relations Director Sarah Laforce comes to whisk me away for a peek backstage, which I've been looking forward to. I enjoy seeing the behind the scenes bits not intended for the public. It feels secret, I feel special, it's a win-win. I've been picturing this for days, conjuring every runway show that allowed Fashion Television cameras backstage (shoutout to Jeanne Beker who could carry a convo with anyone in any hectic space). It's not like that at all. There's no frenzy, no flying glitter or last minute eyelashes being applied. It's a fairly small space, considering how much has been going on there. People are quietly lined up to take their turns onstage, no music is playing. It's surprisingly calm.
Kevin Segal (How To Take A Shower) leaves the stage and joins us. Contrary to those waiting in the wings, tense and holding their breaths, Kevin is at ease, glowing, smiling. He's done his thing, and can take a victory lap. I introduce myself, and he tells me we're covering his show, "Well, I don't know if it's you, but I was selected." I smile, because that sounds exactly like something I would say. Once the dust has settled I dive deeper into what it's like up on the Fringe For All stage, and what it means for Kevin's creative process. "I can say I did Fringe For All last year and it is so chaotic. Both years I had no idea how it would go. For me it is my first stab at my piece in front of people, certainly a dress rehearsal or costume parade, all in two minutes. Super hard to do but most revealing. It is an important piece of the puzzle to find where my work is going for me."
That's something I can understand as a non-performing creator. No matter how many times we bring our finished pieces into the world, what we find is that each creation is a stepping stone to the next. Some of these shows will travel the country, some of these artists will become the names we know in the future. All of them will treasure this experience, this step in their process, and it's super cool to be watching them on their journey.
Photography by Joseph Ste-Marie
Make sure to save the date for the next big FringeMTL event, the opening of Fringe Park on June 8th! For more details, check out Facebook.
