Hello Fringers,

We are sure that you have all been watching the spread of COVID-19 (the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus) in the United States through the news and social media.

We would like to assure our community that we do not have any plans to cancel the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June 2020. As a part of our commitment to the safety of our participants and community, we are closely monitoring the state and local governments reports and will follow their directives in regards to care.

We will be actively implementing preventative measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), such as:

• Having supplies on hand for event staff and participants including: sinks with soap, extra hand sanitizer, and tissues.
• Plans for staff absences at our events. We have encouraged our event staff to stay home when they are sick, or if a household member is exhibiting any symptoms.
• Limiting any in-person contact for staff supporting our events, by allowing you to write your own name tags and reducing contact in the space.

If you may have been exposed to COVID-19 through travel and/or large public gatherings (i.e. conferences or international events), or are feeling unwell, we encourage you to stay home, as we would with all participants recovering from a contagious illness at the Hollywood Fringe.

We are actively working to provide anyone who may need to stay home this month due to a compromised immune system or illness the same opportunities to prepare for #hff20. Some of these initiatives include:

• Continuing to film and post on FringeTV all educational events including our workshops & town halls
• Provide an online place for participants to communicate and network through our twitter chats
• Post additional blog posts this month with ideas that have come from our events that participants may not be able to attend due to health reasons.

If you are planning to participate in any of our events, we encourage you to follow the CDC’s everyday preventive actions:

• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

We understand that this is a dynamic situation with frequent updates. As always, we will continue to communicate directly with you through our emails and hope to continue providing high quality Fringe programming in the safest environment possible.

If you would like more information on COVID-19 information, please check the CDC website and as always, your personal physician is a valuable resource for specific medical questions you may have.

If you have any further questions, please email us directly at [email protected]

Fringeships…They are what drive a Fringe Festival.

They help you find your audience, collaborators and lifelong friends. We here at HFF are committed to helping you connect with other participants as often as you can! Not only are we bringing back your favorite events and activities from previous years, we have created even more ways to get connected for HFF2020!

Fringe Speed Dating
Monday, March 16th from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm 

This event will now take place as a virtual chat on Twitter

Looking to refine your elevator pitch? Want some tips on promoting your show? Prep for the Office Hours Season with our new Speed “Dating” Twitter chat. All you have to do to join the discussion is use the hashtag #hff20. The chat will be moderated by the @HollywoodFringe account and Fringe veterans.

Can’t make the time but still want to participate? All you have to do is schedule a tweet or two using one of the many available Twitter clients! 

Hiking With Fringe
Saturday April 11th, Saturday May 9th | 10am-12pm
The Trails Cafe: 2333 Fern Dell Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

No Hiking on Saturday, March 14, this series will continue in April.

Another brand new event for Fringe 2020! Want to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head… right into the middle of the city? Join us for the first ever “Hiking with Fringe” as we trek up Mount Hollywood through the famous Ferndell/Griffith Observatory loop. Put on your active wear, strap up your boots and meet up as we explore all the beautiful nature LA has to offer. All level of hikers are welcomed to join us on the second Saturday of each month. This event is all ages. 

Coffee With Fringe
Thursday April 23rd, Thursday May 21st | 6:30 pm – 8pm
Bungalow 40: 6541 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Join Fringe staff and fellow participants at our monthly coffee date. This all ages event is perfect for the whole family. Coffee with Fringe is an opportunity to get together with other Fringers in a quieter, more conversational environment at one of our favorite Hot Spots: Bungalow 40! This event is all ages.

Office Hours
Every Wednesday starting April 1 from 7pm-11pm

You know ’em, you love ’em! Office Hours are back! Join Hollywood Fringe staff and participants for weekly casual meet-ups at different bars around Hollywood. If you’re wondering what the fuss is all about, check out this FringeTV video. For updates including specials and more, read your newsletters and check the #drinkingaboutfringe hashtag on Twitter and Instagram (as well as #hff20, the official festival hashtag).  

• April 1st, BLACK (6202 Santa Monica Blvd)
• April 8th, The Well (6255 Sunset Blvd)
• April 15th, Three Clubs (1123 Vine St)
• April 22nd, Pig N Whistle (6714 Hollywood Blvd)
• April 29th, St Felix (1602 N Cahuenga Blvd)
• May 6th, Three Clubs, (1123 Vine St)
• May 13th, Three Clubs, (1123 Vine St)
• May 20th, BLACK (6202 Santa Monica Blvd)
• May 27th, BLACK (6202 Santa Monica Blvd)

Office hours are 21+. Hope to see you #drinkingaboutfringe soon.

HFF20 Workshop #2: “Budgets and Funding”

Sunday, March 8th from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

BROADWATER MAINSTAGE

1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038

You have your team, you have your show, you have your venue. Now how are you going to pay for all of this? Come let our Fringe budgeting experts help! The Budgets and Funding workshop will be led by a panel of past participants and other veteran community members who can offer you an insider perspective of putting up a show on the Fringe as well as expert advice on the best way to stretch your Fringe funds.

The workshop will consist of an extended Q&A session with the panelists with a mixer at Bungalow 40. Seating is limited so visit https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/6856 for your ticket!

HFF20 Workshop #3: “Marketing and Publicity”

Saturday, March 28th from 3:00pm – 5:00pm

This event will now take place online, more details to come

The online workshop will be led by a panel of past participants and other veteran community members who can offer you an insider perspective of putting up a show on the Fringe as well as expert advice on marketing and networking.

The workshop will feature an extended virtual Q&A session.

More info at: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/6857.

HFF20 Town Hall #2: “Ticketing, Awards and Festival Expectations”

Saturday, April 18th from 2:30pm – 4:30pm

THE ARENA STAGE AT THEATRE OF ARTS

1625 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Our second town hall will focus primarily on making the most of your festival experience. What should you expect when you’re expecting (at the Fringe)? What’s up with all those beautiful awards? How does the online ticketing system work? There will be an informational session led by Ben Hill, followed by a Q&A talkback. Everyone is invited to join us for a mixer after the town hall too. Head to https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/6858 to reserve a seat!

Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned Fringe pro, we want to help you get the most out of the festival this season! 

Venues are now open for tours and booking!

Lounge Theatre: Tours available Monday-Saturday by appointment email. Visit [email protected] for details!

Zephyr Theatre: Tours available Monday-Saturday by appointment email. Visit [email protected] for details!

The Complex Hollywood is offering tours of our 4 stages on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3 – 6pm. Just show up! We can tour other times by appointment. Contact 323.465.0383 to schedule! The Complex Hollywood cannot host scholarship winners due to accessibility requirements.

The Broadwater is open and available for tours Tues-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat & Sun 10am-11pm, and Mon 6-11pm. It is highly recommended that Fringers make appointments by emailing [email protected] in order to ensure that the space(s) they are interested in are available.

The Hudson Theatres feature two 99-seat theatres and one 43-seat theatre. Fringe productions enjoy valet parking service, storage space for set/props, show title on marquee, and flexible pricing and time slot options. Most productions also receive inclusions such as tech operator, box office host, house manager, tech time, projection capabilities, and marketing services. Also in the Hudson building are two popular eateries: Eat This Cafe and Bungalow 40. Call or email us to learn more! Tours are by appointment. Contact Zeke at [email protected] or 323-856-4249. www.hudsontheatre.com

Jaxx Theatricals – The Met Theatre Hollywood uses Peerspace for all of its bookings. Please reach out to us via Peerspace to schedule your tour as it keeps everything organized for us in one place. You may also view pictures of our 99+ seat theatre and our 32+ seat theatre as well as the specs and “add-on’s” we have available to you. We are offering a Fringe discount!

Theater Asylum has 9 different spaces in 6 different venues throughout Hollywood. To make an appointment for a tour, please email [email protected]

Grand Tours – All Venues Thursdays & Saturdays,  4-6pm (Additional times noted by space)

    Studio C - Monday – Friday – 10am-2pm, Saturday 4-6pm

    Thymele Arts – 6pm most evenings

    McCadden Theater – Monday and Tuesday

    Stephanie Feury – Monday and Wednesday

    Underground Annex – Most days before 7pm

    BLACK – By appointment only or after 8pm

To make an appointment for a tour, please call 415-336-0513 or email [email protected] to confirm a date and time or check for alternative dates.

Actors Company schedules tours of our three spaces Monday-Friday between 11am-5pm and would be happy to make an appointment for you. Our Let Live Theater is a 60-80 seat traditional theater with a proscenium stage, The Other Space Theater is a 50-70 seat contemporary black box with all platforms and seating able to move and be configurable as desired and The Little Theater is a 25 seat black box. There is tons of parking in a safe neighborhood with many restaurants within walking distance! Feel free to email us at [email protected] with any questions, to request a brochure and/or schedule a tour. 

The Foxhole – With Over 2,700 sq. ft of event space including three separate areas: lobby with bar, 75 seat theater, green room, and a back studio Foxhole Hollywood is the perfect Fringe Venue. We’re Open Mon-Sat during the day so please contact [email protected] to set up a walk through!

The Hollywood Fringe would like to congratulate the 13 members of the 2020 Fringe Scholarship Program. This year, the Scholarship Program received over 160 applications, and after numerous conversations and intense deliberation by our selection committee, we are proud to announce the 2020 Fringe Scholarship winners. 

The Winners of the 2020 Fringe Scholarships are:

• Alters in the 5th District
• Caminos: A Mother’s Journey
• From A to Za’atar
• Japanese Love Story – SHIZUKA -静御前
• Literary Creatures
• Mermaid
• Palmares
• Pedro the Puppeteer
• Rotten Apple
• SHADE: A Colorful Musical Comedy
• Ten and a Half
• The Book That Won’t Close- Confessions of a Love Addict
• What’s Been Eating Me

Three applicants that also struck the heart of our committee, and have received honorable mentions are:

• 12 Tasks of Denton and Gonzalez
• Family in a Box
• This Was Never Supposed To Be A One Woman Show

We feel so lucky, as the Fringe community, to have received such quality applications for this program. The decision for this year was truly tough for our committee. We have a sincere hope, that many who have applied for this scholarship will choose to produce as a part of our festival.

As an open-access festival, we seek to foster a ground-breaking community of artists and make performances more accessible, both to the artists who produce them and for those who otherwise cannot afford to see theatre. Our committee firmly believes that these productions will enrich audience experience and the quality of the Hollywood Fringe Festival’s artistic offerings through the presentation of unique and underrepresented themes.

Each scholarship recipient will receive free registration and a $550 stipend towards production costs, a Fringe mentor, and marketing and networking opportunities as a member of the Fringe community. Fringe scholarships are available to first-time Hollywood Fringe producers who contribute to the ethnic, cultural, racial, mentally or physically disabled, or LGBTQ+ diversity of the Fringe community.