Fringe to Feature Record 24 Performances

Nearly 50 Westmont students have created or will be performing in a record-setting 24 pieces during the Westmont Fringe Festival April 10-11 and 13 at 7 p.m. and April 12 at 3 p.m. beginning at Porter Theatre and moving throughout campus. General admission is $10; $7 for students, seniors and children. Purchase tickets online at westmont.edu/boxoffice or by calling (805) 565-7140.

There will be seven, new 10-minute plays written by MFA students specifically for the Westmont Fringe as part of a collaborative weekend writing session. The festival also features a senior project, “So Small A Thing,” directed by Kelsey Pollard ‘14 and staring Rebecca Jacks ’14 and Chris Wagstaffe ’14.

The Fringe celebrates the return of alumna Diana Small ’09, who has written three pieces for the festival, including a collaborative play, “Hunting is for Lovers,” a 10-minute play, “Dogfight,” and a workshop collaboration, “The Seven Dimensions of Elk Afterlife,” which is directed and choreographed by Vicki Finlayson and designed by printmaking instructor James Hapke ‘09.

Artistic Director Paige Tautz ’14 says an art installation piece will serve as the focal point of the Fringe atmosphere. “Six visual artists are remodeling, refashioning and re-fangling couches that will be set up outside in the courtyard,” she says. “This installation piece, tentatively called ‘The Artists’ Lounge,’ is designed to be functional for audience members.

“All audience members will receive a free drink token with their ticket purchase, which they can redeem at the outdoor bar, ‘The Fountain,’ and then may sit on the couch art. Besides creating a lively communal atmosphere, we are drawing in more visual artists to the Fringe and I am especially excited about that.”

John Blondell, Westmont theater arts professor, curates the show, which is coproduced by Benjamin Offringa ’14 and is coordinated by students Elaine Pazaski ’15, Connor Bush ’16, James Wong ’15, Lindsey Twigg ’16, and Jacks.