10 Things I Learned From Edinburgh Fringe Festival

First, let me get this out of the way:

If you’re a theater fan who is interested in new works, you should go to the Fringe.

If you’re a theatermaker, who is interested in making new works, whether you’re a writer, producer, director, actor or anything . . . you must go to the Fringe.

For me, it was an inspirational experience.

To see the thousands of theatermakers creating new work, on small stages, in the most challenging circumstances, for little or no money . . . yet with such unbridled joy . . . was a reminder of why we all do what we do.

Broadway has been a challenge these past four years. And it’s not getting any easier. Since the pandemic, we’ve all questioned why we do it. We all questioned if we should do something else. We all developed a little bitterness as costs escalated, audiences haven’t returned in full . . . and making and marketing the work got harder.

For me? Being at the Fringe washed away that caked-on cynicism in one day. It was like going to a theater spa. I’m refreshed, renewed, and ready to double down on my commitment to making theater.

On top of THAT, I learned a Fringe-ton of stuff . . . about making theater, making theater at festivals, marketing theater, marketing theater at…