FringeArts Presents Second Annual Jumpstart Runs 5/13-14

Continuing to seek out new and emerging talent in the field of live performance, FringeArts (formerly the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe) presents the second annual Jumpstart (May 13-14 at the Painted Bride Arts Center), a showcase of six artists performing original, completed works. As part of the organization's expanding year-round programming, the series provides artists at earlier stages in their career the opportunity to show their work with the support of FringeArts' audiences and staff.

In its second year, Jumpstart builds upon the success of its inaugural program in 2012. "We not only received a large increase in interest and requests for auditions, but the quality of the work was higher, as well," says FringeArts Lab Director Craig Peterson. "It is clear that there is a need in the community to reach out and provide support to emerging artists for the presentation of their work. Jumpstart meets that need by creating the platform to introduce these artists to Philadelphia audiences."

This year's program includes 4- to 15-minute works by Ms. Wise; Seth Lepore; Groundswell Players (Jenn Kidwell and Scott Sheppard); Jenna Horton; Magda San Millan and Chelsea Murphy; and Marina Libel. [Performance descriptions and artist bios are included below.]

The artist selection process brought together a panel of artists and arts professionals, including Jaamil Kosoko, Celeste DiNucci, Lani Bevacqua, Amy Smith, Tara Demmy (FringeArts Programming Manager), Derek Hachkowski (FringeArts Operations Manager) and Peterson. During auditions at the Painted Bride, the panel viewed 46 pieces, randomly selected from a pool of 106 submissions, in search of highly original, engaging works that demonstrate a commitment to forward-thinking ideas and aesthetics. All live performance genres were accepted, but the submitted works were required to be complete, finished work ready for presentation and no longer than 15 minutes in length. The six selected artists each received a stipend of $500 and five hours of rehearsal time in the Lab.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Jumpstart will be held May 13-14 at 7 p.m. at the Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. Admission is $18 for adults; and $12 for students and those 25 and under. Tickets are available now by visiting fringearts.com/jumpstart or calling 215-413-1318.

A Denzel Theory
Written and Performed by Ms. Wise
Storytelling (captured through poetry) illustrating the story of Ms. Wise's kid brother, Denzel, and the siblings' environment growing up in Camden, N.J.

Higher Art
Written and Performed by Seth Lepore
A meta-examination of the internal world of the supposedly successful in the performing arts world. By watching the blown-up and out-of-control process of a megalomaniac's journey toward the ultimate performance, we come face to face with our hero worship of the mad artist. Part farce, part cultural mirror, this piece is intended to show the absurdity of making artists "others" by allowing them to sit on a pedestal of disproportionate misunderstanding.

The Living History Project by Groundswell Players
Performed by Jenn Kidwell and Scott Sheppard
Created by Jenn Kidwell, Scott Sheppard and the Pig Iron School for Advanced Performance Training
The Living History Project is an autobiographical theatre piece about performer Scott Sheppard's experiences growing up in a hermetic, rural Pennsylvania town. The piece explores the absurdity of a backward pedagogy that reimagines a re-enactment of the Civil War as a means to revitalize student body indifference.

Mounting, Etna
Written and Performed by Jenna Horton
Directed by Mark McCloughan
Congratulations.
You are cordially invited to an evening with Etna Mounting.
Accompanied by food.
And poetry.
A small warning:
Her den of desire is delicate, volatile, tender, and potentially destructive.
Etna has been known to arouse, to entice, and to flay, even.
Not to worry though.
She wants to share.
And what's a delicacy without a little danger?

Rooster & Snowball
Written and Performed by Magda San Millan and Chelsea Murphy
Two crazy motherf*ckers try to change the modern dance world right before your very eyes. They wear winter hats and yell forwards and sdrawrof. Are they rebels, or just FAILED rebels? I don't know, you decide...or not, we don't care. Created at Headlong Performance Institute. MADE IN CHINA. (No returns, exchanges, or refunds.) Additional Credit: Thank you Maiko for your pants.

The Supervisors
Performed by Marina Libel and Sarah Gladwin Camp
Sound design by Josh Garrett-Davis
Tweaking things from a helicopter, two women describe their job "supervising" human interactions using humorous, poetic dialogue and gesture in this wryly regimented duet.

About FringeArts

Since 1997, FringeArts has explored the boundaries of art by presenting the newest, most cutting edge and highest quality contemporary art from around the world, commissioning new public art works, and nurturing local artists through residencies and performances. Each September, FringeArts presents an annual city-wide Festival, featuring renowned and emerging artists. The 2013 Festival will be held Sept. 6 - 21. Beginning Fall 2013, FringeArts will present year-round at its dedicated new state-of-the-art facility on the Delaware River waterfront in Old City. Visit www.FringeArts.com for more information.

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