This summer I had the amazing opportunity to perform in Edinburgh, Scotland's annual Fringe Festival, the largest art festival in the world. What an amazing experience! Yonder Contemporary Dance Company, created through the University of Alabama, traveled to Scotland to perform "IRL," a modern/contemporary dance show exploring the connections/disconnections of cell phones/media. During my time there, I learned a few things about Scottish culture as well as how to make the most out of the Fringe while also performing in it!
1. Wake up early and see a morning show
Fringe shows start as early as 9 a.m. and go as late as midnight. You may be jet-lagged, but you may find a phenomenal show that's showing in the wee morning hours!
2. Support your venue's shows
The ultimate goal is to have a lot of audience members and receive good reviews. A great way to guarantee audience members is to support other shows that are showing in your same venue, and since you perform there, you can see them for FREE! They'll appreciate the support, and they'll usually return the favor and support your show!
3. Flier, Flier, and once again, FLIER!!
As I said before, you want a lot of butts in your audience seats. A great way to ensure this is to flier before and after your showtime. Make your way over to the Royal Mile, which is full of people out and about, and hand out fliers advertising your show to potential viewers. Make sure you make eye contact and have a short chat! Some companies actually pay you to be a professional "flierer", so if you're good at public speaking/advertising, it might be for you!
4. Collect as many fliers as you can
If you're not sure of what's showing, just collect fliers from those handing them out! You never know, there might be a show that intrigues you!
5. See a show you aren't comfortable with
There is SO much art at this international festivalfliers unreal. The shows range from comedy, dance, musical theatre, circus and so much more! Get tickets for a type of show you've never seen before. Open your mind!
6. There are going to be bad shows
It's guaranteed that not every show you see will be great. There will be those that make you cringe on the inside... and outside.
7. If you need to get somewhere fast, avoid the Royal Mile at all costs
As I mentioned before, the Royal Mile is chock full of festival goers and locals. So that means there are a LOT of people. If you need to make it to a show on time (especially your own, yikes!) then make sure to avoid the Mile as much as possible. You'll get stuck behind the slow crowd and those with fliers will try and advertise to you, and you just don't have the time!
8. Reviews can make or break a show
Audience support is important, but reviews can really help your show succeed or flounder. There are selected days for your team representative to talk to the media to convince them to come to your show for a review. You WANT reviews. Hopefully, they come to the show and give you a great review, because once you post those stars on your posters/fliers, your audience should start to fill up!
9. The best way to get around is by foot
Sure, Edinburgh has taxis, but unless you're trying to get to a show across the bridge, traveling by foot is easiest! Everything is relatively near each other, plus it's nice to see all the different posters/live advertising while you walk. One day I was walking to my show when a "zombie" approached me to advertise for their show... But that's a story for another time! Point is, don't waste your money on a taxi, just walk!
10. Bring a portable charger!
A lot of restaurants/diners/coffee shops have outlets for you to charge your phone, but good luck trying to sit down long enough to do so with the number of people in the city! I suggest buying a portable charger to have on hand. It saves you from having to stray from fun just to charge your device. If you're charging your phone on the go, you can experience more!
