Get in on the Fringe

Since its premiere in 2005, the Berkshire Fringe has quickly become a highlight of the region’s summer cultural calendar. Organized primarily by Bard College at Simon’s Rock alumni and housed in the College’s Daniel Arts Center, the Fringe blends avant-garde sensibilities, youthful enthusiasm and groundbreaking performances into a homegrown showcase of rising and established talents from across the performing arts spectrum.

The Berkshire Fringe is organized each year by Bazaar Productions, a collaboration between Simon’s Rock alumni Sara Katzoff and Timothy Olson, as well as Peter Wise, a musician with roots in the Berkshires. Their mission: to bring top-quality multidisciplinary performance art to the Berkshires and present it to the widest possible audience—without the exorbitant ticket prices often found at urban theaters and festivals. Their work ensures that innovative, original theater has a home at Simon’s Rock in the region’s bustling summer season.

The 2008 Fringe kicks off on Wednesday, July 16, with Jessica Cerullo’s staging of her one-woman comedy, Miracle Tomato. An opening-night reception follows the show, and from that jumping-off point the Berkshire Fringe Festival hits the ground running with dozens of stage performances, musical acts, talks with presenting actors, and more.

In addition to Miracle Tomato, the 2008 Fringe exhibits such works as The Only Friends We Have, a new play by veteran Fringe troupe Under The Table; Us, a theatrical, musical and textual examination of issues of citizenship and politics by dancer Alexandra Beller; and Fragile, a multimedia piece by composer Chris Marianetti, videographer Jonathan Vitagliano, and artist John Lawson, whose visual works have previously been showcased in the Gallery at Liebowitz at Simon’s Rock.

Beyond the performances, the Fringe schedule also offers opportunities to connect with and learn from the featured artists of the Festival. Post-performance talks give audience members a chance to meet the artists and discuss their work. A playwright mentorship program called “EarlyStages” presents free readings of works created by local young writers under the tutelage of Emmy Award-winning playwright Laura Maria Censabella. Each Saturday afternoon, Fringe artists host a free workshop based on their performances for members of the local community. Other Fringe features include “Friday Films,” a weekly screening of experimental cinematic productions, and the “:30 Live” series, showcasing live music from outside the mainstream each Sunday and Monday for the duration of the Fringe.

A full calendar of events is available on the Berkshire Fringe website.