Cincinnati Fringe Festival Announces Inaugural Season May 2004

Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival Announces The First Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival May 15-29, 2004. The CSF Studio is evolving into a three-week Fringe Festival of new works by Cincinnatis finest artists. The deadline for submissions to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival is December 1, 2003. For more information, contact Producing Director Jason Bruffy at 513-319-9385 or bruffy@cincyfringe.com or online at http://www.cincyfringe.com

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, in collaboration with the Contemporary Arts Center and other sponsoring Cincinnati arts organizations, is inviting theatre lovers and artists from across the nation to downtown Cincinnati for the first annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival, scheduled for May 15-29, 2004.

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival is a non-curated, non-censored event. Artists working in all mediums and styles are accepted and provided with venues, marketing, box office, and a support staff. There is no cost to the artist to be involved, and no questions are asked about their material. Fringe Festivals are places to truly experience cutting edge works," says Cincinnati Fringe Festival Producing Director Jason Bruffy.

We are looking for new and innovative artists. Artists on the verge, who may be creating the next revolution/evolution in their art forms. Musicians, poets, dancers, visual and performance artists, playwrights, puppeteers, producers, directors, and anyone else that considers themselves artists. We are looking for new and cutting edge work. Fresh ideas and styles. Performances that couldnt be produced anywhere else," adds Bruffy.

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival founded the Cincinnati Fringe Festival through its Studio Program which has commissioned and premiered new works by emerging playwrights. Funding for the Festival is provided by the Cinergy Foundation and Dr. Robert Thierauf, Professor Emeritus, Xavier University.

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival provides opportunities and exposure for artists willing to take a risk, artists who arent afraid to push the boundaries of artistic expression and experiment with style and content. Artists from the Queen City, across the country, and abroad will visit downtown Cincinnati for 17 days of artistic celebration. Artists will perform in traditional and non-traditional venues. The Festival will challenge our perceptions of what Art is," says Bruffy.

I expect over 50 shows and around 75 performances on three stages," says Bruffy. We have three venues so far--Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, the Contemporary Arts Center, and Plush (Upstairs at Carols) and we may use Fountain Square as well."

The deadline for submissions to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival is December 1, 2003. For more information, contact Producing Director Jason Bruffy at 513-319-9385 or bruffy@cincyfringe.com or online at http://www.cincyfringe.com

Tickets will be $10 or less per show. In May 2004 other special events will be occurring in Cincinnati simultaneously with the Fringe Festival, including the May Fest, Taste of Cincinnati, and other exhibits and art shows around the area.

For more information contact: Jason Bruffy at 513-319-9385 or bruffy@cincyfringe.com

###########################################