What is Fringe?

The first Fringe was held in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland. Fringe performing arts festivals can now be found all over the world and, in the United States, the concept has taken off like a rocket in recent years. While there are no hard and fast rules, Fringe Festivals tend to follow the following tenants:

  • Focused on the performing arts: Fringes don’t have a focus on a single discipline or genre, but are a performing-arts smörgåsbord.
  • Uncensored: No one gets too fussy about swears or adult themes
  • Easy to participate in: Participation runs the gamut from amateurs to professionals.
  • Festivals: They last from just a few days to a few weeks and involve lots of people at multiple venues.
  • Original: Fringes feature a huge array of original material.
  • Rapid-fire: Typically, tech is minimal and shows are kept brief.

We hope you’ll join Region 2 in our Fringe Festival by participating in one of our many events.

Fringe Events

Pressure Cooker 24 HR Theatre Showcase!

This is a new program at Region 2 where student participants will be assigned teams of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, and stage managers. Within 24 hours, you will work together to write, design conceptually, rehearse, and perform the 10-minute plays. 

You can sign-up the event from HERE and it will close before the info session at 1:30 pm on Thursday, January 16th, 2025.

No previous experience in any particular area is required, so feel free to try your hand at a new skill! 

Only students who are NOT moving forward in other competition rounds (Acting Scholarship, Playwrighting, etc.) are eligible to participate. 

Let’s have fun and see how you work under pressure to cook up something wonderful! 

Send questions to Kerstin Vaughn, Fringe Coordinator, email: fringe@kcactf2.org  

Kerstin Vaughn (she/her)

Kerstin Vaughn (she/her)

Fringe Coordinator

Kerstin is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the College of Wooster in Ohio, teaching courses in acting, directing, and history. In addition to teaching, she works as a stage director, voice and speech coach, and intimacy choreographer. She often travels out of state for work, and has directed and/or taught in Texas, Michigan, Kentucky, and Illinois. As a director and teacher, Kerstin is committed to creating safe and joyful spaces for theatrical collaboration. Most recent credits include Stop Kiss (intimacy choreographer and vocal coach), Native Gardens (director), and The Sister’s Grey (director).