Elgin Fringe Fest seeks performers, artists
Whatever happens ... happens.
That's been the motto of the Elgin Fringe Festival since its inception two years ago. But what happens depends on the artists participating in the un-curated, multi-discipline showcase of theater, comedy, dance and visual arts modeled after the famed Edinburgh, Scotland, festival.
Organizers on Thursday extended an invitation to performing and visual artists to submit applications for the 2016 fest, which runs September 15 to 18 at several venues in downtown Elgin. Applications are available at elginfringefestival.com, and organizers will begin accepting them on a first-come, first-served basis Tuesday, March 1.
The City of Elgin, Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Hemmens Cultural Center, Side Street Studio Arts and Janus Theatre Company are among the co-sponsors of the festival, which last year attracted about 2,000 people and generated about $10,000 in ticket sales, about the same as its inaugural year, 2014. The 2015 festival included 125 performances, up from 103 performances in 2014.
New this year, performers can choose to perform up to four times, although they cannot choose the performance day or time. Additionally, this year's festival offers site-specific performance opportunities. Site-specific events are free, but most events require tickets. Performers and artists receive 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket or art sales.
Email questions to artistic director Erin Rehberg at erehberg@elginfringefestival.com.