I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have participated in Fringe frequently. There was a run there where it was every single dang year. I got to laugh, create, and grow with people who would go on to become some of the best friends I have. I have also grown myself – I give Fringe a lot of credit for helping to sharpen and hone my love and creativity for theater. As well as what is possible in theater. I don’t think I would consider myself “a writer” if it wasn’t for Fringe. (I want you all to know how hard it is to not be self-deprecating here.) Some of the weirdest, biggest swings I’ve ever taken as an artist have been in fringe and I have to say they are far and away my proudest moments.

 The community in which Fringe has built has been nothing short of magical. It’s very easy to get trapped in your preferred theater silo. But Fringe is often times the sledgehammer that can destroy those silos. I shouldn’t have used a destructive force metaphor…dang it…okay hold on. Fringe is often the food truck outside of a concert venue – who’s rich and fried food scents waft among the populous to draw any and all towards it…yeah that’s better. 

 It is easy to take for granted what PortFringe is – having now been around for so long – the amount of work and effort that goes into creating such an event is MAMMOTH. We mostly just get to enjoy the fruits of all that labor. It’s hard enough to put on one show at one venue. But a whole festival? Working with theater artists? THEATER ARTISTS?! Just let that sink in.

 I guess what I am trying to say here in this nonsense adjacent reminiscing spectacular is – I love PortFringe. With all of my heart. From starting in the first fringe with a play called “Sex AKA Wieners and Boobs” to the most recent where we subjected the audience to Grumbo and his romantic pursuits…and many pies….and a singalong…

 It’s messy. It’s weird. It’s bold. There is a sense of playing without a net? It’s frightening. It’s challenging.

 To quote the great Tom Stoppard “theater is a series of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.” Disaster is needed to tear down those silos…ah shoot I’m in the destruction metaphors again. I am not saying disaster as a negative. Disaster is defined as an event that exceeds the community’s ability to cope. In a way the best Fringe’s descend on a city and overwhelm its artistic abilities. It creates a response that is unexpected and often unifying. It solidifies and strengthens those who are a part of it.

I  love it. I always want more. I’m thankful for all the years and straight up giddy about the decades more to come.

 Viva la Fringe as they say.

 ~Jake Cote