Detroit Fringe Festival Returns Later this Month

The Detroit Fringe Festival returns with a mission to expand the possibilities of Michigan theatre. This year's festival will feature talented musicians, actors, playwrights, dancers, poets, and comedians performing at 1515 Broadway Theatre and Café in downtown Detroit (1515 Broadway St, Detroit, MI). The essential question for this year's Detroit Fringe Festival: "If young people will spend $100 to see Rihanna perform, what about the theatre industry is preventing them from spending $10 to see a play?"

The Fringe Festival hopes to change general audience's view of theatre by showcasing work that is outside of the box including a one-woman show about transitioning, a hip-hop one act about Detroit education, and several ten minute plays about everything from a man stuck in his ex's basement window to a waitress and truck driver that meet and fall in love at an IHOP.

Featured acts include poet Terrell Murrow of InsideOut Literary Arts (Detroit), singer James Basum (Rochester), playwright Paige Vanzo (Auburn Hills), director Karen Brehmer (Troy) and Richard Payton (Ferndale).

When asked about why he brought The Fringe back to Detroit, producer Emilio Rodriguez said, "I have seen a lot of my new friends move to bigger cities like LA, New York, and Chicago to pursue the opportunities that those locations offer. I want people to realize that Detroit is a cultivator of powerful works of art that inspire, entertain, engage, and enlighten a variety of audiences." Rodriguez went on to comment about the growing opportunities for young and new artists in Detroit. He wants to push that movement even further and expand upon the opportunities that Shakespeare in Detroit, Puzzle Piece, Theatre Nova, Slipstream, and other new theatre companies have created for young artists and their work.

Proceeds and collected donations will be used to fund a training program that provides free workshops to Detroit actors before auditions with the goal of seeing more Detroit artists on local stages and keeping our talented actors in the Metro Detroit area.

The Detroit Fringe festival runs Sept 16-21 at 1515 Broadway Theatre and Café with various acts performing each night. Admission ranges from $5-$10 depending on the night, with a Fringe Pass available to see all events for $40.

DETROIT FRINGE FESTIVAL 2014 FULL LINE UP
Tues Sept 16 "Move in Detroit" $10
A collection of dance pieces from MOY and Angie Johnson followed by an open dance party. 7pm

Wed Sept 17 "Play in Detroit" $10
A festival of new plays highlighting Detroit actors, directors, and writers. 7pm

Thurs Sept 18 "Share with Detroit" $5
An open mic showcasing Detroit's variety of talent and featuring InsideOut Literary Arts Poet Terrell Murrow. 8pm

Fri Sept 19 "Sing with Detroit" $10
A celebration of Detroit's voices featuring Robbie Dwight and James Basum. 8pm

Sat Sept 20 "Welcome to Detroit" $5
A variety of readings from some of Detroit's newest and future theatre companies. Followed by a networking session. 3pm

Sat Sept 20 "Listen to Detroit" $10
A celebration of LGBT stories from a Detroit perspective featuring Wilde Award nominee Julia Lynn Marsh. 8pm

Sun Sept 21 "Laugh with Detroit" $10
A hilarious festival of Detroit's comedy talent featuring Luna Alexander, The Maris(s)as and Richard Payton. Fringe After Party to follow. 5pm

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