Today, we spent the morning with Caroline Newall, the Artistic Development Producer of the National Theatre of Scotland. She gave us the opportunity to learn a little bit about how the organization is funded as well as how it was conceived in the first place. She also gave us some insight into their "Theatre Without Walls" mission as well as let us have a stab at sticking to a matrix by which to fulfill the mission of the organization and doing a little bit of programming ourselves.

Caroline Newall explored the questions we ask about commissioning and programming a new season of work in a hands-on workshop that made it worth the early time slot. She was frank, and very invested in all of us learning something from her presentation. She entertained every idea our students submitted while interrogating them seriously and helping us to better understand her work.

Later that day, we engaged in mentor check-ins as a litmus test for how everyone was feeling in our living situation and with how much they'd learned at the festival thus far. This gave the students the opportunity to cater the experience to their personal needs. 

Holly Payton, organizer of the World Fringe Congress and WorldFringe.com, prepared Fringe Festivals Around the World in collaboration with Dr. Xela Batchelder from Drexel University. This panel was designed to allow directors from Fringe Festivals in the US, Australia, the UK, South Africa and Italy to showcase some of the specifics regarding each of their festivals as a means by which to invite performers and patrons to their individual festival.

In attendance was Alexandra Kesman, Managing Director of Cincy Fringe in Cincinatti, Ohio, Davide Ambrogi, Artistic Director of Roma Fringe, Meghan McCauley, Outreach Director for Hollywood Fringe, Greg Clarke, Executive Festival Director of Adelaide Fringe (and representative for World Fringe Perth), Julian Caddy, Managing Director of Brighton Fringe, Sarah Jones, Festival Director of OxFringe in Oxford, and Tony Lankester, CEO of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa (and representative for Amsterdam and Prague). Additional representatives from St. Louis Fringe, Rochester Fringe, and Arte Brasil International Shakespeare Festival & Fringe were in the audience. 

The panel discussed differences in visa laws, venue management, access, housing, and other issues.

Afterward, the group of us went to What Fringe Next?, a panel wherein performers who have been to several festivals at one time or another can share their experiences with performers who may be interested in touring their shows in the future. The panel consisted of Nick Brice, Ali-Pollard Mansergh, Tessa Waters, Mikelangelo, and Martin Dockerty and together they've attended festivals in Brighton, Edinburgh Oxford, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Woodford, Indianapolis, Orlando, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver, San Francisco, Phoenix, and New York.

They each discussed when they felt ready to begin a life touring their shows and what each festival specifically offered them in a Q&A session led by Dr. Xela Batchelder. Their combined experience was relayed frankly, with a focus on honesty and realism.

We got a chance to sit in on the Fringe Annual General Meeting. We got to see the names of last year's students in the minutes and add ours to this year's sign-in sheet. Afterward, we stayed for the annual agenda and a review of the society's annual accomplishments. There were seven items to get voted on at the event, and we learned a lot getting to see the questions people asked.

People were concerned that there had been a shift toward dramatic pieces becoming more prominent in the early-mid afternoon, such that it had become more difficult to get to cool pieces in the evenings. Some people stated that this has always been the case because it's a good slot for this type of theatre. It could potentially concern both performers and journalists because with this many performances back-to-back it will cause more time conflicts.

Afterwards, Fringe Central hosted the World Festival Network's World Fringe Fair, where representatives from around 50 Fringe Festivals set up tables where they offered valuable insight and free SWAG for our students. It was a great networking opportunity.

Additionally, Zach had his shift at Gryphon Venues today as well! :)