Tag Archives: Cincinnati Fringe Festival

UPDATED: Auditions Announced for 2024 Cincy Fringe Festival

CFF_logoThe Cincy Fringe, in Collaboration with the League of Cincinnati Theaters and
Falcon Theatre, Announces the Return of Producer-Artist Speed Pitch Sessions at
Non-Traditional Theatre Auditions

2024 Cincy Fringe Unified Auditions

Saturday, February 24th, 2024
1-4pm
Innovation Room at First Financial Bank
601 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011

Sunday, February 25th, 2024
2-6pm
West Side Brewing
3044 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211

Cincinnati, OH: Following the resounding success of last year’s groundbreaking event, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of its Unified Auditions. Scheduled for Saturday, February 24th in Covington, KY, and Sunday, February 25th in Cincinnati, Ohio, these one-on-one sessions offer a unique opportunity for producers and artists to connect, collaborate, and bring new theatrical projects to life.

Breaking away from the traditional audition format, the Speed Pitch Sessions will see Cincy Fringe Producers and aspiring artists engage in rapid-fire, 5-minute long pitch sessions. During these sessions, producers will have the chance to pitch their projects – whether they be plays, devised works, or experimental pieces – to a diverse pool of talented artists. At the same time, artists will have the opportunity to pitch themselves – showcasing their skills, talents, and artistic vision to producers in search of collaborators.

“We believe that collaboration is at the heart of great theatre, and our Speed Pitch Sessions are designed to facilitate meaningful connections between producers and artists,” says Katie Hartman, Cincy Fringe Producer. “By providing a platform for producers to share their projects and artists to showcase their talents, we hope to inspire exciting new collaborations and bring fresh, innovative theatrical works to the stage.”

Open to performers of all backgrounds, experience levels, and disciplines, this event promises to be an inclusive and welcoming event where all artists can practice their self-pitch and be seen. Auditioning artists may prepare a short monologue (30-45 seconds) but more importantly they are encouraged to bring their VIBE (Vision, Insight, Best Self, Energy). Producers may have audition sides available. Materials (headshot and resume) will be submitted digitally in the registration form and available to producers. Walk-ins will be accepted, though pre-registration is very much appreciated!

Registration for the 2024 Cincy Fringe Unified Auditions
Please send any questions or concerns by emailing Cincy Fringe Producer, Katie Hartman, at katiefringe@knowtheatre.com. Thank you!

About the Cincy Fringe Festival:
The Cincinnati Fringe Festival (Cincy Fringe) is a two-week long celebration of independent theatre taking place from May 31st-June 15th, 2024, in pop-up venues in Over-the-Rhine. Produced by the Know Theatre and now in its 21st year, the Cincy Fringe showcases new and innovative works by theatre, music, dance and performing artists from around Cincinnati and around the world. We are Cincinnati’s Summer Theatre Party:)

Breakdown of Available Roles:

  • Stage Manager
  • Puppeteer
  • Outside Eye/Director
  • Actor: Woman, 20s, Arab-American: Feels things deeply, middle child, contemplative, a bit spontaneous, always tries new foods, hates conflict, does not want to be a bother, a delicate flower, the kind of person who will lend you money without asking why
  • Actor: Woman, 20s, Arab-American: Oldest child, type A, commands people, harsh exterior and gooey insides, wears scrubs and walks powerfully, seems like she might know martial arts, takes jeopardy seriously, corrects your mistakes before you make them, the kind of person that you’ve never seen cry, but secretly writes heartbreaking poetry
  • Actor: Man, late teens/early 20s, Arab American: Sensitive type, observer, youngest child, could be a college athlete, not much of a talker, kind of person that slides apology doodles under your bedroom door when they are sorry.
  • Actor: Man, late 40s/early 50s: Father, puts others before himself, loves feeding people, likes to stay busy, calls people by nicknames, just wants to see you smile
  • Actor: Man, 20s: Real estate agent, likes to golf, gambling problem, insecure about how much money he makes, type of person who calls himself a feminist but hates the WNBA, is generally not a very smart person, the kind of person who is ‘not into politics’ but complains about taxes
  • Actor: Woman, early 20s: Brings the freakin energy, puppy vibes, loud and thinks she’s hilarious, ride or die friend, physically funny, will eat your snacks without asking, the type of person who is genuinely happy to help you move, full of pure love
  • Actor: an 18th century demon who hilariously speaks only through actions the whole show. She may look like a young, haunted girl. Think: the Ring Actor: senior in high school. Book worm. Cautious. Loves her friends but loves doing the right thing more. Is the catalyst for the whole show. Think: if Diane Keaton was in high school
  • Actor: high school senior. Pretty. Chasing popularity. The only one in the group who cares about being social. Think: Gretchen Weiners but not as popular Actor: high school senior. The hilarious side kick. Antisocial. Likes sports and punk music. Think: Jane lane in Daria or Beanie Feldstein
  • Actor: high school senior. The evil popular cheerleader. Think: Mandy Moore in Princess Diaries, or Saved.
  • Actor: high school senior. Delusional hot guy.
  • Actor: high school teacher. Hates everyone. Needs a smoke break type of vibe.
  • Actor: Male presenting: 45-55; A hero and a poet, a conqueror of everything but blind ambition.
  • Actor: Female presenting: 55-65; A brilliant woman writing an afterlife for those she loved.
  • Actor: Male presenting: 25-35; A soldier lost in battle, handsome, charismatic, not too bright.
  • Actor: Female presenting: 25-35; Inquisitive and passionate
  • Actor: Female presenting: 25-35; Earnest and comedic

Leave a comment

Filed under Auditions

2024 Unified Auditions Announced for Cincinnati Fringe Festival

CFF_logoAnnouncing locations and times for the Cincy Fringe Unified Auditions!

Saturday, February 24th from 1-4pm
Innovation Center at First Financial Bank
601 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011

Sunday, February 25th from 2-6pm
West Side Brewing
3044 Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45211

Auditioning Artists will sit down with individual Fringe Producers for 5-minute Speed Pitch Sessions in which Producers pitch their project and Artists pitch themselves. Artists are invited to have a monologue or a song at the ready, but the most important thing to bring is YOUR VIBE.

A scheduling sign-up form as well as available roles and their breakdowns will be available by February 12th. Mark your calendar, update your resume and headshot, and get ready to dive into Cincinnati’s Summer Theatre Party: May 31-June 15!

Leave a comment

Filed under Auditions

Pick of the Fringe 2023

CFF23_logoOn the final night of Fringe, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival honored five special shows with “Pick of the Fringe” awards, voted on by artists, patrons, critics, and the producers of the festival itself. We’re very pleased to present to you the winners of the 2023 Picks of the Fringe:

  • Audience Pick of the Fringe: RUH-Roh!, from Queen City Flash out of Cincinnati, OH.
  • Critics’ Pick of the Fringe: Heart Ripped Out Twice And So Can You!, from Linnea Bond out of Philadelphia, PA.
  • Dr. Robert J. Thierauf Producer’s Pick of the Fringe: Bloodline, from Paris Crayton III out of Los Angeles, CA.
  • Linda Bowen All-Access Pick of the Fringe: Who’s Afraid of Winnie the Pooh?, from Clevername Theatre out of St. Paul, MN.
  • Artists’ Pick of the Fringe: Anatomica, from Amica Hunter out of Portland, OR.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

CFF23: My Fringe Show Rankings

QCF_Ruh-Roh!The question I get asked most by people with limited time and resources is, which shows are a “must see.” And I give them my bias answer, based on how I reacted to the shows. Please understand that differences between shows in the rankings can be infinitesimal. And I guarantee everyone’s list is different and just as valid.

And if you do decide to attend, I highly recommend you look at all the options. Aside from the fact that there are still plenty of shows I just haven’t seen yet. If a show sounds interesting to you, I highly encourage you to see it. Grab a friend, split a flex pass and hit three shows. You never know what you might discover. Happy Fringing.
-Rob

Updated 6/15/23

My Rankings

  1. RUH-ROH!
    Jordan Trovillion & Trey Tatum return for the final chapter of the adventures of the teen sleuth and her faithful dog companion. Imaginative, clever and funny, RUH-ROH! is a satisfying finale and completely accessible even if you have not seen the previous installments.
  2. BLOODLINES
  3. HEART RIPPED OUT TWICE AND SO CAN YOU!
  4. 1NCE UPON A LIE
    Paul Strickland is back with new tall tales from his latest visit to Aunt True and Uncle False. Funny, heartfelt and with the clever word-play you expert from this master storyteller.
  5. THE REMBRANDT JOB
    Ocean’s Eleven they aren’t. A fun, tongue in cheek retelling of a bizarre but true art theft at Cincinnati’s Taft Museum. Dale Hodges narrates the story as one of the missing works and Paul Morris shines as the sleazy Jim Hough.
  6. THREAD AND BONE
  7. JULIE
  8. MADE IN AMERICA
  9. WHO’S AFRAID OF WINNIE-THE-POOH
  10. ONE LAST NIGHT WITH MARY MACLANE
  11. HAPPY GO LUCKY
  12. ANATOMICA
  13. RAPPINGS
  14. PERFECT PURITY
  15. THE HIGHWAY WOMAN
  16. DAD (HATES) JOKES
  17. GRANNY FIX-IT
  18. DEARLY DEPARTED
  19. GENTRIFICATION THE MUSICAL
  20. KEEPING OUR TORCH
  21. TO SPITE ONE’S FACE
  22. RUNAWAY PRINCESS
  23. SHMILF LIFE
  24. SPANK BANK TIME MACHINE
  25. MAGIC FOR ANIMALS
  26. UDFCC 

Leave a comment

Filed under Reviews

The 2023 Cincy Fringe Festival Presents SPANK BANK TIME MACHINE

CFF23_Spank Bank Time MachineAn Interactive Comedy
Created and Performed by John Michael

Directed by Michael Marionaccio & Sammy Zeisel

A Queer Fantasia about how grieving makes you horny…
Part Angels in America, Part Snakes on a Plane

STORY:
Best friends, sex parties, douches, grief, and 50% off Andrew Christian underwear. Trauma Clown/Underwear Sponsored John Michael returns with a time travel machine fueled by spanks and participation. This spiritual sequel to Meatball Seance will unleash your inner FunMonster.

Details

Tickets $18
Venue: Arts Academy, AAC 301 – 1212 Jackson St

Showtimes:

  • Sat, 6/3 @ 2:15pm
  • Sun, 6/4 @ 6:45pm
  • Wed, 6/7 @ 6:45pm
  • Fri, 6/9 @ 8:30pm
  • Sat, 6/10 @ 6:45pm
  • Sun, 6/11 @ 8:30pm

“A whirlwind of a journey, delivered at a breakneck pace — though full of gay sex, drugs, and charismatic performer John Michael in a mankini”- Orlando Sentinel

WHY: The purpose of this show is twofold: I want to raise awareness about life-saving interventions such as Narcan/Naloxone while also creating a space for the audience to mourn– and celebrate– those who we lost during the pandemic.

We’re scared to talk about the spike in overdoses but with the proper amount of silliness mixed in with awareness of harm reduction measures we can better embody the joy of those we miss. Building a time machine that runs on Spank and other happy memories from myself and the audience turns the stigma on its head.

Cartoon design by Mads Horwath

About the Performance Artist: John Michael is an award-winning international performance artist/trauma clown. What is that? Exactly. He creates interactive comedies about tough-to-talk-about topics that use audience participation to create a party vibe full of beautiful calamity. He’s created 10 original plays, titles including John Michael and the Order of the Penix, Dementia Me, It’s Not All About You John Michael and The A-Gays-Stillwater Oklahoma. He studied theater in Stillwater, Oklahoma at Oklahoma State University. It was there he created his very first show Would You Like Guys With That? about coming out of the closet while working at Mcdonald’s.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases