Q. What is the Rockford Fringe Festival?
A. A one-day outdoor celebration of the performing arts.
Q. When is it?
A. Saturday, July 9, 2022 from noon-6:00 p.m.
Q. The event lasts six hours. Do I have to stay for the whole thing?
A. It’s up to you. Some people will pack a picnic and make a day of the event. Others will come for a specific show or maybe a couple shows. And there will be some people who come and go throughout the day. All we ask is that you’re not disruptive during a performance. Please wait until a break to move around and talk. Most acts will be 10 minutes long but some will run as long as 45 minutes.
Q. How much does it cost to attend?
A. It’s free.
Q. What should I bring?
A. A chair or blanket. Consider wearing a hat and sunscreen. An umbrella.
Q. Will there be food?
A. It’s a pack-it-in-pack-it-out event. It’s also environmentally friendly. Though the event is free, audience should bring their own snacks and water AND a little bag to take away your trash.
Q. I want to perform. How?
A. Fill out this jotform. Hurry because there are a limited amount of spots available.
Q. Before I fill out the jotform, what kind of acts are being considered?
A. Theatre, dance, music, comedy, poetry, performance art. The shorter the better because that will allow more people to perform, but we are considering shows and acts that run up to 45 minutes.
Q. What does the set look like?
A. The OPEN Stage is two feet off the ground. It has two stair units, one that is stage left and the other is stage right. The stage is 12 feet wide and eight feet deep. It is safe for dancers. There is a hidden entrance.
Q. Tell me what kind of tech you have to offer.
A. There is one handheld mic with a mic stand and two lavaliers available that will be shared from performance to performance. There will be four speakers in the audience so up to 300 people will be able to hear. And there will be playback speakers on the stage. Performers are to bring their own music, cued up and ready to plug in. Do not bring CDs, bring music that you can plug in, like from your phone.
Q. When are you announcing the lineup?
A. On or before June 15, 2022.
Q. How much does it cost to submit / perform?
A. It’s free but artists are responsible for producing their own shows on their own time. There will be a brief partial run-through the morning of the event so everyone will be able to get familiar with stage and the order, but there will not be enough time to rehearse everyone’s full acts.
Q. Where do I go to stay up-to-date with the #RockfordFringe?
A. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to our podcast via Apple, Spotify, Anchor FM or Google.
Q. You have a podcast? May I be on it?
A. If you are a performer, a member of the artistic team, a volunteer or a Fringe audience member, we want you on the podcast! Each episode sheds insight into the Fringe community and is less than 15 minutes long. Email Connie to set up your Zoom or phone interview.
Q. Who is sponsoring the Rockford Fringe Festival?
A. This is made possible by a grant through the City of Rockford’s Forward for Fun initiative. Several sponsors and community partners are supporting the Rockford Fringe Festival. A complete list is at the bottom and you can see all of the logos at the bottom of the graphic.
Q. Where is the Rockford Fringe Festival taking place?
A. On an outdoor stage at Walker Park in Rockford; 1500 Myott Ave.
Q. Will the streets be blocked off? Where do I park?
A. The streets will not be blocked off and there is plenty of off street parking. Walking, biking and taking a Bird to the #RockfordFringe are other options.
Q. Is there a theme?
A. This year’s theme is ‘Rain or Shine’ and the event will take place rain or shine.
Q. Is this event for any particular demographic?
A. The Rockford Fringe Festival is for everyone.
Q. Why are you doing this?
A. To safely and intelligently share original theatre, music and dance on an outdoor stage with the community.
Q. I’d like to volunteer. How?
A. Fill out this volunteer jotform and we’ll hook you up with a fun task.
Q. Who are the sponsors?
A. There are several tiers.
Rockford Fringe Festival Official Sponsor: Rockford Writers’ Guild.
Community Sponsors: City of Rockford; Community Foundation of Northern Illinois; Hard Rock Casino; Fehr Graham; Hard Rock Casino; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Northwestern Illinois Building Trades Unions; Rockford Area Convention & Visitors’ Bureau; Rockford Mass Transit District; Rockford Plumbers and Pipefitters.
Community Partners: 89.5 FM WNIJ; Chicago Dramatists; Naked Angels Tuesdays@9 Chicago; Rockford Area Arts Council.
Q. Who do I contact if I have any questions?
A. Email Rockford Fringe Festival producer Connie Kuntz at connievkuntz@gmail.com.
Connie Kuntz 