For performers who dare to be on the Fringe

Minden Fringe at Wintergreen
Adventurous performances by the finest writers and artists in the Highlands

Performing artists invited to step into the Fringe
Minden Fringe seeking submissions for 2009 Festival

PRESS RELEASE March 22, 2009

MINDEN, ON – Minden Fringe Festival, a sold-out success last year, is looking for performing artists for this year’s line-up at the Wintergreen Pancake Barn in July and August. If you’ve got a yen to see how an audience will respond to your creativity then Playwrights Minden would love to hear about it.

Young to seasoned performers poured out their talent in last summer’s Minden Fringe Festival and audiences found they had a sweet tooth for more than the fabulous food dished up by the friendly staff at Wintergreen. Last year’s festival included debut performances of original short plays, live music, dance/physical theatre, storytelling, and improvisation theatre in a festival that is a partnership between Wintergreen and Playwrights Minden - a project of the Haliburton County Co-op.

Minden Fringe 2009 will be held the Saturday evenings of July 11, July 18, Aug. 1, and Aug. 8. Each night consists of dinner followed by two different performances which equals eight performance spots. Playwrights Minden is looking for performances that are no longer than 60 minutes. Audience capacity is 50 people. The performance stage measures 10 feet by eight feet in a converted barn loft.

This is a fantastic opportunity for local artists to develop and present their new work. They are paid a percentage of the box office for their performance. They will also receive an archival copy of video footage of their performance for their portfolios.

“Our goal is to offer local performing artists a rare opportunity to test drive their work in front of an audience without having to bear the heavy burden of all the production costs,” says Sheryl Loucks, spokesperson for Playwrights Minden, a group of writers who meet regularly to workshop their scripts.

Individual performers or groups are responsible for the technical elements required for their production i.e. lights, sound and costumes. Ryan Dawson, Fringe artistic director, will be the liaison between the artists and working out how to stage it at the venue.

Submissions must include a detailed description of the performance. If the submission is of an original one act play, please submit the script. Email your submission or request for further guidelines to mindenfringe@gmail.com. There is a $20 non-refundable application fee for adults and a $10 non-refundable fee for students. Selected artists will be required to sign a contract with the Fringe.

Performance selection is at the absolute discretion of Playwrights Minden. Final decisions will be announced mid-April. Please send a hard copy of submissions to Minden Fringe, PO Box 1436, Haliburton ON, K0M 1S0 and please make application fee cheques out to Haliburton County Community Cooperative, cash is also accepted.

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Contact Ryan Dawson at dawson.wintergreen@sympatico.ca or 286-3202 or call Sheryl Loucks at 705-286-2298 or 455-2506 email rdlawrenceplace@mindenhills.ca.