Minnesota Fringe Festival

Minnesota Fringe Festival is an annual theatre festival held in Minneapolis and St. Paul, featuring a diverse range of performances, including dance, music, and comedy, with participation from local and national artists, such as Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Guthrie Theater, and Penumbra Theatre. The festival is a member of the United States Association of Fringe Festivals and has been recognized by National Endowment for the Arts, Knight Foundation, and McKnight Foundation. With its unique format, the festival has been compared to other notable festivals, including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Toronto Fringe, and Vancouver Fringe.

● History

The Minnesota Fringe Festival was founded in 1994 by Leigh Combs, with the goal of creating a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work, similar to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which was founded by Rudolf Bing and John Falconer. The first festival featured 50 performances and was held at various venues in Minneapolis, including the Guthrie Theater and Theatre in the Round. Over the years, the festival has grown in size and scope, with participation from notable artists, such as Luis Bravo, Merce Cunningham, and Trisha Brown. The festival has also been influenced by other notable festivals, including the Avignon Festival, Salzburg Festival, and Bayreuth Festival.

● Organization

The Minnesota Fringe Festival is organized by a team of staff and volunteers, led by the Fringe Executive Director, who works closely with the Fringe Board of Directors to plan and execute the festival. The festival is also supported by a range of sponsors, including Target Corporation, 3M, and Ecolab, as well as foundations, such as the Jerome Foundation, Bush Foundation, and McKnight Foundation. The organization is a member of the National Performance Network and has partnerships with other arts organizations, including the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

● Festival_Events

The Minnesota Fringe Festival features a wide range of performances, including theatre, dance, music, and comedy, with a focus on showcasing new and experimental work, similar to the Under the Radar Festival and Humana Festival of New American Plays. The festival also includes a range of special events, such as the Fringe Opening Night Party, Fringe Awards Ceremony, and Fringe Closing Night Party, which are held at various venues, including the State Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, and Pantages Theatre. Notable performers who have participated in the festival include Bill Irwin, Spalding Gray, and Laurie Anderson, as well as companies, such as The Wooster Group, Elevator Repair Service, and SITI Company.

● Participation

The Minnesota Fringe Festival is open to participation from artists and companies from around the world, with a selection process that includes a lottery system and curated programming, similar to the New York International Fringe Festival and Chicago Fringe Festival. The festival features a range of performances, from solo shows to large-scale productions, with participation from notable artists, such as Anna Deavere Smith, Danny Hoch, and Sarah Ruhl, as well as companies, such as Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and The Second City. The festival also provides opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their work, with support from organizations, such as the Playwrights' Center, Theater Mu, and Pangea World Theater.

● Venues

The Minnesota Fringe Festival is held at a range of venues in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including theaters, galleries, and public spaces, such as the Guthrie Theater, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and Weisman Art Museum. The festival also uses non-traditional venues, such as bars, clubs, and parks, to create a unique and immersive experience for audiences, similar to the Bumbershoot festival and South by Southwest. Notable venues that have hosted festival events include the State Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, and Pantages Theatre, as well as the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

● Impact

The Minnesota Fringe Festival has had a significant impact on the local arts community, with many artists and companies going on to achieve national and international recognition, such as Theatre de la Jeune Lune, which won a Tony Award for its production of Bartok's "Bluebeard's Castle". The festival has also contributed to the economic development of the region, with an estimated $1 million in revenue generated each year, according to a study by the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan Council. The festival has also been recognized for its innovative programming and community engagement, with awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, Knight Foundation, and McKnight Foundation, as well as the Star Tribune and City Pages. The festival's impact can also be seen in its influence on other festivals, such as the Fringe World festival in Perth, Australia, and the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Category:Festivals in the United States