Guess what: we're family-friendly this year! I know!! I mean, we still have a bunch of the other stuff, but we've got a bunch of options for people looking to expose the whole family to fun new live performances. Feast your eyes on these great shows that you can take your kids to, then check out the full schedule at AtlantaFringe.org to plan out your weekend.
Amelia the Brave, S'Park Theatre (7 Stages) - Multi-media puppet/mime/movement piece created by high schoolers for audiences of all ages!
The Adventures of Tapman, Tapman Productions (7 Stages) - Two words: tapdancing superhero. TAPDANCING SUPERHERO, YOU GUYS
Thank You for Staring, Patrice Gerideau (The Marianna) - A great, funny solo show about self-acceptance and not being afraid of being (and looking) different
Beyond Borders (The Marianna) - Interactive dance show that creates a new belly-dancing piece every night based on input from the audience!
Hours, Awalim Dance Company (Horizon's School Gym) - Middle Eastern dance right here in Atlanta, with fun costumes, cool props (swords!) and an adventurous concept embodying the hours of the day.
The Fringe Audio Intro - Aisha Leverett, Friendship Giveaway!
Respondent: Aisha Leverett, Writer/Director
Name of Company: Friendship Giveaway!
Name of Show: Abandon Ship!
"I’m already thinking about next year because audio forces you to think about comedy and communication in a way that can lead to fun stuff."
1. Why should anybody see your show?
Well, it’s a radio show so I don’t know how much they’ll see, ha ha. I guess your imagination is what you’ll see. So you should “see” this show because a healthy imagination is one that is worked out regularly. It’s 20 minutes of silliness done seriously.
2. Why Atlanta?
Atlanta never ceases to find new ways to be interesting. An audio fringe festival is a great way to distinguish the Festival from others and gives out-of-towners like me a chance to be a part of Atlanta’s great art community.
3. What inspired you to create this?
I’ve become fascinated with fan fiction and shipping because it explores how people respond to popular culture, something I’ve been interested in academically and as a person of comedy. Abandon Ship! is a first step in working out some potential show ideas that go beyond just making fun of poorly written (but beautifully earnest) fan faction.
4. What’s your creative process for something like this? Are you approaching it differently b/c it’s a festival or is it just business as usual?
My creative process for this particular piece was 1) come up with an idea that involved a lot of people and was very ambitious technically, 2) break ankle, 3) come up with another idea and format that uses one of the very best performers I know, Wolfgang Stein to create an entire world with only a few characters, 4) Profit?
5. When people walk out of your show, they’re gonna be saying,”….
Oh, I hate that Declan!
6. Is this your first festival?
I had a piece in last year’s audio fringe called Within Earsight about a set of twin children who solved gruesome mysteries on their very own weekly radio show! I’m already thinking about next year because audio forces you to think about comedy and communication in a way that can lead to fun stuff.
7. If your show was an animal at the Atlanta Zoo, what would it be?
There’s a type of monkey called Wolf’s Guenons and since Abandon Ship! stars Wolf, that seems appropriate.
8. Will your show save mankind?
No, not at all. Not in any way possible.
9. Any Atlanta-based celebs you’re secretly (or not secretly) hoping will tune in?
Does Elton John still live there? Maybe he listens to it and forwards it to his friends at the Beeb?
Lois Reitzes would be awesome too. I’ve tried to describe her voice to non-ATLiens and she defies description.
Above: Looks foxier than she sounds
10. Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Go To These Sorts of Things (RACWDOGTTST, for short) wanders into your show blind. What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?
Maybe they look at the night sky a little differently. Maybe they wonder how a species that produces everything from The Cosby Show to Teletubbies to Eurovision is gonna look to “outsiders” should they ever find us. Maybe they get cupcakes. Maybe they’re just thankful for their “ship” they’re in.
11. Describe your show in three words.
Resistance = ill advised.
Click here to listen to Friendship Giveaway's show, "Abandon Ship!"
Respondent: Funda Yilmaz, producer
Name of Company: Beyond Borders
Name of Show: Beyond Borders
"Audiences minds will be blown and this will freak them out. But we know that the artistry of our show will seduce them."
1. Why should anybody see your show?
It’s very different from what people are used to. It will invigorate anyone who engages in the show with us.
2. Why Atlanta?
It’s our city!
3. What inspired you to create this?
The joy we share when dancing is what we want others to experience as well.
4. What’s your creative process for something like this? Are you approaching it differently b/c it’s a festival or is it just business as usual?
We are creating a general structure for the event and we will allow the audience to co-create the rest of the show with us.
5. When people walk out of your show, they’re gonna be saying,”….
Oh wow! That was fun!
6. Is this your first festival?
No. I participated last year.
7. If your show was an animal at the Atlanta Zoo, what would it be?
Pheonix
8. Will your show save mankind?
Yes. We absolutely hope so!
9. Any Atlanta-based celebs you’re secretly (or not secretly) hoping will show up?
We’ll be there J
10. Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Go To These Sorts of Things (RACWDOGTTST, for short) wanders into your show blind. What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?
Their minds will be blown and this will freak them out. But we know that the artistry of our show will seduce them.
The Buzz Intro Interview - Hannah Park, Han Dance Collective
Respondent: Hannah Park
Company: Han Dance Collective
Name of Show: The Journey Inside
"My creative process for a festival like this focuses on a topic that all can engage regardless of age, years of exposure to the art form of dance. Hence, I consciously create a piece that has a meaning that all can relate to with some visual and physical surprises."
1. Why should anybody see your show?
The contemporary dance performance combines western dance aesthetic with the eastern aesthetics with powerful yet subtle movements with embedded meanings accompanied by visuals. It is visually engaging, and evokes various somatic responses with powerful images and motions.
2. Why Atlanta?
The piece reflects diversity and would accommodate diverse populations in Atlanta and offer another cultural point of view in a city that embraces various cultures.
3. What inspired you to create this?
What I found as the common inner journeys that each individual as human beings experience.
4. What’s your creative process for something like this? Are you approaching it differently b/c it’s a festival or is it just business as usual?
My creative process for a festival like this focuses on a topic that all can engage regardless of age, years of exposure to the art form of dance. Hence, I consciously create a piece that has a meaning that all can relate to with some visual and physical surprises.
5. When people walk out of your show, they’re gonna be saying,”….
Powerful and engaging with sensuality integrated with meaning and strong images.
6. Is this your first festival?
Yes.
7. If your show was an animal at the Atlanta Zoo, what would it be?
A peacock as it is balanced yet colorful with its distinct charactersitics.
8. Will your show save mankind?
Yes, in metaphorical way as it evokes inner journeys of beings.
9. Any Atlanta-based celebs you’re secretly (or not secretly) hoping will show up?
James W. Wagner
Above: We will guess that Emory's President would like most of our shows: at least 3/5's of them.
10. Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Go To These Sorts of Things (RACWDOGTTST, for short) wanders into your show blind. What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?
They may be seduced by the gentle artistry and with empathetic physical and emotional responses.
The Fringe Audio Intro - Randy Gross, The Not Ready For Drive Time Players
Respondent: Randy Gross, Founder/Director/Head Writer
Name of Company: The Not Ready For Drive Time Players
Name of Show: “You’re A Queer Man, Charlie Brown”
"I call what I do “blend and offend.” I take two or more beloved stories (in this case, the Charlie Brown Halloween and Christmas specials) and then mash and mush them together, like a twisted Food Network program."
1. Why should anybody listen your show?
Because Charlie Brown needs your help figuring out his sexual identity.
2. Why Atlanta?
Georgia? Peanuts? THE Peanuts? (Oh, and I heard people laugh louder in A-Town).
3. What inspired you to create this?
A childhood spent watching way too many cartoons.
4. What’s your creative process for something like this? Are you approaching it differently b/c it’s a festival or is it just business as usual?
I call what I do “blend and offend.” I take two or more beloved stories (in this case, the Charlie Brown Halloween and Christmas specials) and then mash and mush them together, like a twisted Food Network program. So, absolutely, business as usual.
5. When people walk out of your show, they’re gonna be saying,”….
“I gotta cock!”
6. Is this your first festival?
No, I’ve aired grievances and performed feats of strength plenty of times. Oh wait, I thought you said Festivus. Never mind.
7. Hahaha, very well-played, sir. If your show was an animal at the Atlanta Zoo, what would it be?
A Kookaburra. Because I like saying it.
8. Will your show save mankind?
If mankind is willing to watch my video about a hundred million times, and donate at least $5.00 each time they watch … yeah, I’ll see what I can do to save the world then.
9. Any Atlanta-based celebs you’re secretly (or not secretly) hoping will tune in?
Brooke Baldwin, Ted Turner, Usher. And the Kookaburra from the Atlanta Zoo.
10. Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Listen To These Sorts of Things (RACWDOLTTTST, for short) wanders into your show blind. What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?
Rumor has it that they’ll immediately be turned into pillars of salt.
The Fringe Audio Intro - Cynthia Morrison, Shoestring Radio Theatre
Respondent: Cynthia Morrison – Playwright
Name of Show: AUTUMN WIND
Company: Shoestring Radio Theatre
"We need a Lady Pirate Captain. Seen enough Jack Sparrow."
1. Why should anybody listen to your show?
A. Because we’ve had enough of Jack Sparrow.
2. Why Atlanta?
A. I hear that its call name is “Hot Lanta”. Who could resist?
3. What inspired you to create this?
A. I was teaching stage combat at the Burt Reynolds Institute. We wanted to create a promo video for the class so I asked the leading actress what character she would like to portray. She chose “Pirate”. As a playwright, I took the concept by the reins. There was a small scarecrow in one of the scenes as background so I brought in the word “Autumn” in the title.
4. What’s your creative process for something like this? Are you approaching it differently b/c it’s a festival or is it just business as usual?
A. Business as usual.
5. When people finish your show, they’re gonna be saying,”….
A. Autumn Wind is awesome. We need a Lady Pirate Captain. Seen enough Jack Sparrow. The writer has a twisted sense of humor but great story all the same. The production team did a super job too.
6. Is this your first festival?
No.
7. If your show was an animal at the Atlanta Zoo, what would it be?
A. a three legged Crocodile
8. Will your show save mankind?
A. No, but if anyone crosses paths with any Pirates they’ll know how to talk their lingo.
9. Any Atlanta-based celebs you’re secretly (or not secretly) hoping will tune in?
A. All of them.
10. Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Listen To These Sorts of Things (RACWDOLTTTST, for short) wanders into your show blind. What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?
A. One will say to the other “ Wow I never knew they we’re still making Radio drama. A Lady pirate Captain. Cool concept!
The Fringe Audio Intro - Aimee McCoy, The Artizen Company
Respondent: Aimee McCoy, The Artizen Company Co-founder and Sound Designer.
Name of Company: The Artizen Company
Name of Show: The Procreation Parade: Kuzaa
"If our show was an animal it would be the Sumatran Tiger, because it will sneak up on you and you will not know what captured you! By the time you realize what has happened, it will be too late."
1. Why should anybody listen to your show?
The Procreation Parade is unlike any other theater experience. This production is an intimate and interactive experience that has the ability to change lives.
2. Why Atlanta?
Atlanta is where The Artizen Company was birthed, and Atlanta is fertile ground for our interactive style of theater.
3. What inspired you to create this?
The Artizen Company Co-founder Tae Eady initiated the idea for a larger work currently being developed called, I’m Pregnant! And I Don't Know Who The Momma Is!, which will premier spring of 2015. This project uses her personal experience with childbirth, her training as a Doula, and antidotal material to explore pregnancy and birth. The Procreation Parade: Kuzaa grew out of The Artizen Company’s research and development of this larger work.
4. What’s your creative process for something like this? Are you approaching it differently b/c it’s a festival or is it just business as usual?
The Artizen Company’s standard creative process is a combination of research and workshop. The Procreation Parade was created in this same manner; however, it was specifically designed for a festival atmosphere.
5. When people listen to your show, they’re gonna be saying,”….
These are some quotes from people who have seen our work, “Compelling,” “Intriguing,” “Powerful,” “Unexpected,” “Real,” “Moving,”and “Profound.”
6. Is this your first festival?
No
7. If your show was an animal at the Atlanta Zoo, what would it be?
Our show would be the Sumatran Tiger because it will sneak up on you and you will not know what captured you! By the time you realize what has happened, it will be too late.
8. Will your show save mankind?
The Artizen Company strives to maintain historical accuracy when possible; therefore, the information that can be taken away for our production can in fact save lives.
So, yes!
9. Any Atlanta-based celebs you’re secretly (or not secretly) hoping will tune in?
The Artizen Company’s audience is so diverse and eclectic, we want every person in Atlanta to show up, but Ted Turner or any other celeb that could become The Artizen Company patron saint are definitely welcome. LOL!
10. Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Listen To These Sorts of Things (RACWDOLTTTST, for short) wanders into your show blind. What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?
The Fringe Audio Intro - MJ Kelly & Trina Kakacek, Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium
Respondents: MJ Kelly (Co-Producer, Actor, Musican) and Trina Kakacek (Co-Producer, Writer, Director, Sound Designer)
Name of Company: Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium
Name of Show: INTOXICATED
"What will audiences be saying? What a bunch of lunatics, that was awesome, what kind of mushrooms are they eating, and where can we hear more?"
(Editors note: to err is human and, as humans, we accidentally sent the live theatre version of this questionnaire to the audio artists. Oh no! Ah well, it is not the end of the world. Most of the audio artists just answered it without being smartmouths, but most artists are not our buddies at Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium. We dig their smartmouthery so we're keeping it as-is, so you can feel our shame.)
1. Why should anybody see your show?
They should HEAR our show on Atlanta Fringe AUDIO because we promise they will laugh. They also don’t even have to leave the house or car. They could listen on a walk or in a bar, at the pool or on the way to school. Ain’t it cool?
2. Why Atlanta?
We were invited last year, found some new fans, and are returning with a new show.
3. What inspired you to create this?
Our goal at Small Fish Radio is to provide portable theatre for the ear, FOR FREE, using an old-time radio format that features brand new work by emerging writers.
We curate three shows a year AND YOU CAN LISTEN FOR FREE. This particular show was created in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago and was recorded live that same week, in Chicago, at Chicago Dramatists.
4. What’s your creative process for something like this? Are you approaching it differently b/c it’s a festival or is it just business as usual?
For the Atlanta Fringe Audio Festival we try to keep the show tight and offer up the best portions so listeners can get a taste of what we do. After the Festival, listeners can find the entire live recording complete with additional plays and our serialized piece on iTunes or on our website, www.smallfishradio.com. Of course, our previous work is available on iTunes and our website.
5. When people walk out of your show, they’re gonna be saying,”….
After they hear our show they’re going to be saying … what a bunch of lunatics, that was awesome, what kind of mushrooms are they eating, and where can we hear more?
6. Is this your first festival?
No, we were part of last year’s Atlanta Fringe Audio Festival, and we’ve also recorded live at the Chicago Fringe Festival.
7. If your show was an animal at the Atlanta Zoo, what would it be?
It would be the penguins. Comic, dramatic, and tipsy. And FYI – you can listen to our show on your Smartphone while watching the penguins at the zoo because our show goes with you.
8. Will your show save mankind?
Don’t all shows save mankind a little bit?
9. HELL TO THE YES. Any Atlanta-based celebs you’re secretly (or not secretly) hoping will show up?
We hope they will all listen to our Fringe Audio Show in their penthouses, on their yachts, and private jets—or while watching their pet penguins.
10. Random Atlanta Couple Who Doesn’t Ordinarily Go To These Sorts of Things (RACWDOGTTST, for short) wanders into your show blind. What happens to them? Are their minds blown? Are they freaked out? Are they seduced by your gentle artistry?
All of the above PLUS they become addicted to our particular brand of radio theatre.
