The Orlando International Fringe Festival's Producing Artistic Director Returns To Teach Yapinars at The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays-PlayFest

Have you ever wanted to produce a Fringe show but did not know where to start? How about that time you put on a Fringe show and no one showed?

Beth Marshall, the producing artistic director for the Orlando International Fringe Festival has all the answers you need and is returning for the second year in a row to teach two Yapinars on everything you need to know before you begin to plan your next Fringe production at this year's Master Classes during The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays- PlayFest.

The first Yapinar, "How to Produce A Fringe Show 101," taking place Sunday, February 25, is the perfect class for first time Fringers, anyone interested in independently producing a show and even veterans who wish to brush up on their producing skills. Everything from sponsorship to marketing ideas will be discussed, as well as how to get into The Fringe "loop" and how to get your Fringe show off and running.

Now that you know the basics, you need to know how to take your Fringe show on the road. The second Yapinar, "How to Tour Your Fringe Show 102," taking place Sunday, March 4, teaches everything one needs to know about touring with different Fringe Festivals across the globe. Also discussed will be the various models of Fringes and as well as budgeting your show to go on the road.

"Due to the ever-growing popularity of the Orlando International Fringe Festival, we receive hundreds of inquiries asking how to participate in the festival each year," said Marshall. "These Yapinars are a fun and informative way to not only provide artists with valuable information they need about Fringe, but they also help to continue to increase participation and attendance for Orlando Fringe. The Yapinars focus on individual shows that people bring to the table as well as a general overview of Fringe as a whole."

Both classes will be held at the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival's Lowndes Room from 10 a.m.- noon. The cost to attend each class is $10 and a $5 PlayFest button is required for attendance.

In addition to teaching the Yapinars, Marshall is also producing and hosting Play-In-A-Day for The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays-PlayFest. Play-In-A-Day is a fun opportunity where participating organizations nominate one actor, actress, writer and director to produce a ten-minute play in twenty-four hours.

On Sunday, February 25, each participating group will be given the same surprise topic. The writers have until 7 a.m. the next day to get the script complete, the director has a few hours to look over the script and the actors have a few hours to memorize and rehearse.

The plays are then performed on Monday, February 26 at 7 p.m. in the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival's Margeson Theatre. Participants for team Fringe include writer David Lee, director Chad Lewis, actor Rob Ward and actress Clare Gezzy.

Tickets are on sale now for both the Yapinars and Play-In-A-Day by calling the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival's at 407-447-1700 x 1.

About The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays- PlayFest

The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays- PlayFest is a ten-day theatre event from February 23-March 4 and is packed with dynamic new plays and new play programming for anyone who loves great theatre! Buy a PlayFest button and step into the interactive theatrical maelstrom of readings, workshops, world premieres, seminars, master classes and more!

For more information about The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays- PlayFest, Master Classes, and Play-In-A-Day, please visit www.shakespearefest.org.

About the Orlando International Fringe Festival

As the oldest, non-juried Fringe Festival in the United States, the Orlando Fringe Festival proudly provides a venue for theatrical and performing artists to display their creative talent and novel performances. From May 17-28, 2007, more than 80 artist groups will perform in nine color-coded venues throughout Orlando's Loch Haven Park. Including new and established artists from around the world, performances are guaranteed to be everything from the unimaginable to the unforgettable. Staying true to the Fringe roots, all acts will remain uncensored, exposing patrons to performances ranging from mild to wild.

The Closing Agent, Inc., a title insurance agency, is the presenting sponsor of the 16th annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. This project is also funded in part by The United Arts of Central Florida, Inc., by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and The National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information on the Orlando International Fringe Festival, please visit www.orlandofringe.org or www.myspace.com/OrlandoFringe

Media Contact:
Michael Alberici, PUSH
407-841-2299 x1064
malberici@pushhere.com