All actors, actresses, singers, comedians and all other theatrical performers have the chance to showcase their talents on stage at the IndyFringe Fest.
IndyFringe, located in the arts and theater district of Massachusetts Avenue, is an 11-day theater festival from Aug. 15 to 25, featuring local, national and international performers. All performances are uncensored and “unjuried,” meaning all submissions are accepted.
“The fringe festival has been made to provide performing opportunities, provide a way to bring new art into our city, a way to attract young professionals to our city and here we are celebrating our ninth festival,” said Pauline Moffat, executive director of IndyFringe.
Moffat says IndyFringe came about through a group of committee meetings in 2002 where participants came across a single idea to create a culture in Indianapolis through theater.
Today, the IndyFringe festival will have 64 shows, 384 performances and eight venues throughout the 11 days.
There will be African-American performers and writers included in the festival such as performances from Asante Children’s Theatre and Onyx Theatre.
Act A Foo’ Improv Crew is an improvisational comedy group with an all Black cast.
Members Daniel Martin, Joshua “Girth” Owens, Jocque “Coosto” Carey and Ennis Adams get suggestions from the audience and from there they act out a scene.
Martin, who formed the group, says, “I’ve been performing for over 40 years now and I’ve been helping other people’s dreams and shows come to life. You’re always waiting for shows to happen, so I decided to stop waiting and create something of my own.”
He says his crew is funny by nature and quickly responding to the crowd is what makes them laugh.
“The audience appreciates our ability to stand in front of them, put a scene together they came up with, and perform it as if it had been rehearsed all week,” said Martin. “The games we play with the audience get them going. They’re right there creating magic with us.”
Act A Foo’ will have several performances at the IndyFringe Basile Theatre with a different show every day.
The IndyFringe Basile Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., seats 100 people and serves as a low cost rehearsal and performance space. It’s one of five theaters and seven stages that will host the festival on Massachusetts Ave.
Moffat says IndyFringe will have a lasting impact on the Indianapolis community.
“Everyone can be part of it … we provide a lot of opportunities for street performances on Massachusetts Ave. and we have a free outdoor tent,” said Moffat. “We have a lot of things that appeal to a lot of people.”
Moffat says booking performances are first come, first served. All tickets are priced no more than $10.
IndyFringe
Address: 719 E. St. Claire St.
Tickets and information: (317) 869-6660
Website: indyfringe.org
Improvisational comedy
Improvisational comedy is a form of live theater in which everything is made up in the moment. Improvisers take suggestions from the audience or they draw off one another. No two improvisational comedy shows are the same.
Wayne Brady, a well-known African-American improvisational actor, began his career on the British version of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” in 1998. He became a regular on the show and won a Primetime Emmy Award. He’s appeared on other shows such as Reno 911, The Drew Carey Show, Chappelle’s Show and more.
