It’s unpredictable, it’s unique, and it’s a chance to support artists and the community.
It’s the Nanaimo Fringe Festival, featuring 48 performances over eight days.
The fourth annual Nanaimo Fringe Festival runs Aug. 14-17 and Aug. 21-24 at Harbour City Theatre (25 Victoria Rd.) and Nanaimo Museum (100 Museum Way).
Nanaimo Fringe Festival is a non-profit community arts event that connects Nanaimo to the thriving circuit of fringe festivals that sweeps across Canada every summer. In addition to drawing touring artists to Nanaimo, half of the schedule is reserved for local artists.
Ladysmith’s Keauna Miller is this year’s assistant festival co-ordinator and volunteer co-ordinator. The 2014 Ladysmith Secondary School (LSS) graduate started working with Nanaimo Fringe at the end of June, and she has been busy doing public relations work, distributing posters and festival brochures and co-ordinating volunteers. Once the festival begins, she will be in charge of volunteers at the box office, managing one of the venues, connecting the technicians and volunteers to make sure the shows are ready, and generally making sure everything runs smoothly.
Miller was very involved in theatre and improv at LSS and recently starred in and directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this past spring.
“I was really excited to be able to expand my theatre connections outside of Ladysmith, and I also think the fringe movement itself is fantastic,” Miller said of what attracted her to the job.
She likes that with fringe festivals, shows are chosen by lottery.
“My favourite thing about it is we don’t pick and choose, so really, anything can happen,” said Miller. “We don’t see the shows before they come. It’s great because it can be a grand-new artist or someone who’s established and wants to try something new.”
Miller has been enjoying her work with Nanaimo Fringe.
“I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “I wasn’t super familiar with fringe festivals outside of Edinburgh’s fringe festival before this, so I’ve learned a lot about what the festival actually is and how much work it takes to make it run.”
The job seems like a perfect fit for Miller, who will be moving to Nanaimo this fall to study general studies at Vancouver Island University. She hopes to eventually go to the University of Alberta in Edmonton and earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.
“I love theatre, and I’m moving to Nanaimo [this fall], and I really wanted to have a foothold in the community,” she said. “It’s been really great for making connections, and because of the nature of the festival where it’s smaller-scale shows, it’s something I can see myself doing.”
Miller is excited about the Nanaimo Fringe Festival, and she encourages Ladysmith residents to come see the shows.
“I also really encourage people who are unsure about it to come tot our preview night,” she said. “It’s a free event at the Harbour City Theatre, and each show is going to do a five-minute preview to convince you to go see their show. I’m really excited to see it.”
The free Preview Night takes place Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. at the Harbour City Theatre.
During the festival, there is a free Fringe Hub Aug. 14-17 and Aug. 21-23 until midnight at Vault Café. This is a chance for artists and audiences to meet, swap show review and enjoy free entertainment.
“Artists will be there, and audience members, volunteers and myself will be able to interact with them, and I’m really excited about that,” said Miller.
For show descriptions, schedules, tickets, and opportunities to get involved, including a wrap-up Jam The Fringe on Sunday, Aug. 24, visit www.nanaimofringe.com.
