Hollywood Fringe to Offer Free Programming for LA Schools

Hollywood Fringe Festival organizers announced details about Student Fringe today, an arts education program the Festival is launching this year. For two days during the Fringe-- June 8th & June 15th-- the Fringe will bring local schools and students to Fringe venues for a full day of educational and youth-friendly programming provided by Fringe artists and students. "The program has two goals," said Meghan McCauley, Outreach Director, "to provide an alternative arts education experience for local youth and to give Fringe artists the opportunity to give back to the community."

All Student Fringe programming is completely free for students and educators. The Fringe is also supporting transportation costs, thanks in part to a partnership with Los Angeles Councilmember Eric Garcetti. Just over 200 students from Bancroft Middle School (Hollywood), East LA Performing Arts Academy (East Los Angels), Gabriella Charter School (Echo Park) and Southeast Middle School (Southgate) will attend. McCauley continued, "Some of these kids have only seen high-budget or classical theater. Some of them have seen very few live performances at all. We feel like every child should have the opportunity to experience the arts; and beyond that, the inspiration and resources to create their own opportunities."

Fringe groups include: Lost Moon Radio, Pam Noles' "Death 40 Feet Tall!", Four Clowns, Joshua Silverstein (spoken word artist & educator), Stage Combat with Peter Berube, and "Poe and Mathews: A Misadventure in the Middle of Nowhere". All participating Fringe artists were hand-picked due to their youth-friendly performances or their educational expertise. Many will provide interactive workshops or Q&A sessions. There will also be student performances by GCS Company, a 28-member company of dancers from Gabriella Charter School in Echo Park, and H20, the highly acclaimed show choir from Hollywood High.

The third annual Hollywood Fringe Festival will run June 14th to June 24th, but programming will actually begin during Previews Week starting June 7th. Student Fringe will occur on the first two Fridays: June 8th and June 15th. Performances will take place at the Fringe Central Mainstage (at Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd.) on June 8th and at Actor's Circle Theatre (7313 Santa Monica Blvd.) on June 15th, as a donation from Coeurage Theatre.