It's been over two years of waiting, but the Toronto Fringe Festival is back! Back in 2020, I had two shows written and waiting to premiere as a part of the Toronto Fringe Festival's KidsFest: Jay & Shilo: Prop Catastrophe and Jay & Shilo: Nightmare Neighbours. But the pandemic hit, and the festival was cancelled. We managed to film and put together the short film Jay & Shilo: Phrantic Phone Call. But, as much fun as it was to do that (rehearsals over Zoom! Our actors filmed themselves! There was no audience reaction because it was all virtual!), it just wasn't the same. I missed the camaraderie that I associate with the Fringe, all my theatre friends, the Beer Tent, hanging out, being a part of a live audience, and hearing the reactions of the kids to the antics of the actors on stage. So, my shows were shelved, and I kept telling myself that it was all temporary. Then 2021 happened, and once again, no Fringe, and we deferred our spots one more year.
Finally, this year, we got the announcement that it was finally going ahead! Nightmare Neighbours and Prop Catastrophe are a go! We have put together a cast, and a crew, and a team, and we are currently hard at work rehearsing and learning the shows. I have to admit that I feel a bit rusty when it comes to putting a show together. But I am reminding myself as I go. The almost fly by the seat of your pants aspect that feels so Fringe is definitely here. Can I build a video camera out of shoe boxes and toilet paper rolls? Certainly. Can I steal my children's toys and Halloween costumes for my show? Of course! Can I spend a stupid amount of hours sourcing and finding theatre cubes and then find out that they do not fit in my car? Absolutely. But just like every year, the shows will go on, and they will be epic, and hilarious, and I will probably cry from happiness that this is actually happening.
Rehearsals look a little different with masks, and sanitizers on the stage managers' desk. But the enthusiasm is here, and it is inspiring to see. I honestly can't wait until opening.
Finally, this year, we got the announcement that it was finally going ahead! Nightmare Neighbours and Prop Catastrophe are a go! We have put together a cast, and a crew, and a team, and we are currently hard at work rehearsing and learning the shows. I have to admit that I feel a bit rusty when it comes to putting a show together. But I am reminding myself as I go. The almost fly by the seat of your pants aspect that feels so Fringe is definitely here. Can I build a video camera out of shoe boxes and toilet paper rolls? Certainly. Can I steal my children's toys and Halloween costumes for my show? Of course! Can I spend a stupid amount of hours sourcing and finding theatre cubes and then find out that they do not fit in my car? Absolutely. But just like every year, the shows will go on, and they will be epic, and hilarious, and I will probably cry from happiness that this is actually happening.
Rehearsals look a little different with masks, and sanitizers on the stage managers' desk. But the enthusiasm is here, and it is inspiring to see. I honestly can't wait until opening.
Our art! I am so excited!
The Toronto Fringe Festival KidsFest is at St. Vladimir Theatre, 620 Spadina Avenue.
KidsFest information and tickets are available here. See you at the Fringe!
The Toronto Fringe Festival KidsFest is at St. Vladimir Theatre, 620 Spadina Avenue.
KidsFest information and tickets are available here. See you at the Fringe!
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