PortFringe to Kick Off With HORSETALE

PortFringe will kick off its 2018 festival with HORSETALE, an innovative shadow play from acclaimed New York City artists, Hit the Lights! Theater Co.

This "opening act," inspired by tall tales, Looney Tunes, and the soundscape of the American frontier, will play June 13, 14, and 15 at the Portland Stage Studio Theater. PortFringe 2018 takes place June 16-23, with 125 performances across six venues in Portland's Arts District.

HTL! is an award-winning company that made its debut at PortFringe 2014. Since then, the company has traveled the country, delighting audiences and racking up rave reviews for its unique and immersive performances. HTL! has been an Audience Pick at the Cincinnati Fringe and an Editors Pick at the Minnesota Fringe, and was nominated for three New York Innovative Theater Awards. The group is currently the 2018 Company-in-Residence at Ars Nova, an Off-Broadway, non-profit theater in New York City.

"We are so excited to bring HORSETALE to Portland, as Portland is where Hit the Lights! Theater Co. got its start," the six-member company of multidisciplinary artists said. "We were so blessed to perform our very first show, DUNGEON, back in PortFringe 2014 and cannot wait to be back opening for this year's festival. HORSETALE is our third original shadow play, featuring three vintage overhead projectors, over three hundred handmade shadow puppets and an original live score."

HTL! has performed both at PortFringe festivals and at our Pop-Up Shakespeare events.

"Hit the Lights! is a PortFringe favorite and we're so excited to kick off the 2018 fringe season with their unique and energetic brand of storytelling," said Lisa Boucher Hartman, a founding member of the PortFringe organizing committee. "With their DIY sensibility, multidisciplinary approach, and love for everything cardboard, HTL! embodies everything we celebrate at PortFringe. We're looking forward to getting back in the saddle with HORSETALE!"

Tickets are $15. More information available at www.portfringe.com.

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