Fringe Festival Showcases Student Creativity

More than 70 Westmont students will be acting and dancing in 18 different pieces during six nightly performances of “Fringe 2013: On the Verge” April 11-13 and 18-20 from 7-10:30 p.m. beginning at Porter Theatre and moving throughout campus. General admission is $10; $7 for students and seniors. Purchase tickets online at westmont.edu/boxoffice or by calling (805) 565-7140.

Organizers say they hope the grueling schedule will add vitality and velocity for performers and viewers. Co-producer Paige Tautz ’14 says this year’s fringe festival includes eight world-premiere plays written by Master of Fine Arts students at UT Austin and UC San Diego.

“This collaboration between advanced directing students and M.F.A. playwrights was not only exhilarating during the 48-hour writing process initiated by professor John Blondell, but it has been a great experience for directors and playwrights to continue collaborating during the rehearsal process,” she says.

In addition to the new, 10-minute plays and dance pieces, seniors Sam Martin and Molly Sexton direct full-length productions to conclude each night. The first weekend features “Marisol,” directed by Martin, written by Jose Rivera and starring Jackie Dressler and Shawnee Witt. Sexton’s production of “God’s Ear,” written by Jenny Schwartz, will be shown during the second weekend.

“We hope to represent our incredible student artists and provide an entertaining and enjoyable festival that showcases their creativity,” says co-producer Mak Manson ’14.