Talking with Playwrights - the Artist's Forum

The Artist's Forum went really well last night.  There were about 15-20 people there and I guess that was the best attended one.  I was pleased with the discussion both from the panel and the audience.  A wee bit nervous before it started, I was fine once questions were posed.  I think I was articulate and managed to express what I felt.  I am not an authority though, and I know there was one or two things from the audience that I couldn't solve - How can reviewers be better trained?; How do you get a venue if you don't get picked in the lottery and you can't find a BYOV?; How come there's no Brecht at the festival? Is the Fringe getting too big, too fast? I have no idea on most of those.  But as to risk and the balance of risk vs. saleability I know that I have to write the play I have to write.  Not everyone will be my audience, but some will.  I hope that I always do good and truthful work and that's all I can do.  Because I don't tend to write the side splitting comedies I have to work on writing well so that people will come for the quality not necessarily for the topic.  Not everyone goes to Fringe for the comedies - I know I don't.  I go for the potpourri! I like to see a variety, and I really like a nice solid play - new works beings my favorite!

Fringe Artist Forum - Good Talks!

So my Fringe Forum is on tonight.  I am very excited to participate in this panel, although I feel a bit outclassed by the talent I will be sitting up there with.  In any case, it is sure to be an interesting discussion and it's FREE!  Drop by the PCL Theatre and check it out.  For those of you who write for Fringe or produce for Fringe it is sure to be a valuable discussion. 

FRINGE FORUMS 2012

August 20, 21 and 22, 2012
8:30 – 9:30 PM

ADMISSION: Free
LOCATION: PCL Studio at the TransAlta Arts Barns
10330 – 84 Ave. (south end of the Arts Barns)  [map]

Fringe Theatre Adventures, in partnership with the Playwrights Canada Press,NeWest Press, Theatre Alberta, Alberta Touring Arts Alliance and theWriters Guild of Alberta, is pleased to present the Fringe Forums at the PCL Studio located in the TransAlta Arts Barns.

There are three different forums that touch on issues that concern the theatre community currently. We are pleased to host some of Alberta’s most celebrated theatre artists and personalities as guest panelists and moderators. These forums promise to create a lively discussion.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 | 8:30 – 9:30 PM  A FRINGE TOO FAR? WHAT RISKS DO WE REALLY TAKE?

Join local playwrights as they probe questions about the size and scope of the risks they take in their Fringe work. Should new works at the Fringe strive to take risks that may not be possible in a regular theatre season? Should a playwright go ‘to the edge’ at the Fringe, or does too much “fringy-ness” turn away audiences?

MODERATOR:	Eric Rice (President, Walterdale Playhouse)
PANELISTS:	Marty Chan (author of the 2011 Fringe hit Mothership Down); Kristen Finlay (author of the 2011 Fringe hitPieces); Nicole Schafenacker (co-author of the 2012 Nextfest play Double Occultation); Mark Stubbings (author of the hit play Dry the Rain)