2008 Fringe Festival Experience – Part 2

Let’s Put On a Show . . . or Not

Last night, my friend J and I went to a Fringe Festival “Fireside Chat” on How to Put on Your Own 60 Minute Show.

It’s been an idea that J has been mulling around for a while, so we went last night to see sow doable the idea is. I’ve always had a hankering to be a producer/do behind-the-scenes stuff, so I thought it would be fun.

The event was a panel discussion among three people who have done shows at the DC Fringe, past and present, and they gave the audience advice from what they learned through the past few years. On the producing side, it didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t really know – that you need to run a production like a small business and think ahead. The main key is to have a quality product – the creative, the actual show –you are supremely proud of and are certain you can sell . . . all you need to do is find an audience.

One of the speakers was kind of swarmy/sleezy, and talked a lot about how successful he is and how he’s able to do a national tour of festivals. Not that his advice wasn’t good, it’s just that the vessel kind of turned off the message.

It was a valuable experience and I’m glad I went, but I don’t think we have the time or energy to start working on something like that anytime soon. The first problem is that we don’t even have a show yet, or even a fully formed idea of one. Then once you do have one, it needs to be developed until it’s something you are ready to show people. THEN, and only then, are you ready to do the work of promotion and logistics and budgets.

It’s slightly disappointing, but when the time is right, it will be right. I did take good notes, so I’ll just file them away until they are needed . . .