Meet Yuki

FringeArts: Hey there, welcome to the blog! Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself. What’s your name, where are you from, where are you now, and how did you hear about the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival?

Yuki: Hi, my name is Yuki Ishiguro. Originally, I am from Japan, but I currently live in New Hope, PA. I had the pleasure of presenting Memories of the Moon with my dance company, Yu.S.Artistry, in last year’s Cannonball/Philadelphia Fringe Festival!

FringeArts: Well welcome back Yuki! We’re happy that you are presenting another work for this year’s festival. Tell us a little more about it.

Yuki: We are presenting an evening-length production featuring 2 new works: Dream of A, choreographed by myself, and A Flamboyance and a Funeral, choreographed by Olivia Wood Ishiguro. Dream of A is a contemporary retelling of Japanese fable, “Dream of Akinosuke.” Reminiscent of The Nutcracker ballet, our protagonist is whisked away into a fantastical world

Dream of A, Yuki Ishiguro/Yu.S.Artistry
Sept. 13th 7PM at the Rotunda
Theater, Spoken Word and Storytelling

FringeArts: Beautiful! Yuki, of all the many things that makes the arts great, what most made you interested in pursuing this daring life?

Yuki: I knew I wanted to dance when I saw breakdancers practicing on the streets of Japan. They seemed so free, adventurous, and athletic. The arts brought light into my life, and I want to share that light with others.

FringeArts: Very daring indeed! But thank you for sharing the gift of dance and storytelling with us! To get to know you a bit more, what does your perfect day look like?

Yuki: A perfect day would be playing with our puppy, rehearsing and choreographing, and spending the day with my wife and friends.

FringeArts: Honestly perfect, a little bit of down time a little bit of work. And I mean when are dancers ever not choreographing?! Here’s another question for you… you have the once in a lifetime chance to teleport anywhere right now, where would it be?!

Yuki: If I could teleport to anywhere, I would go to the Star Wars universe for a day and train as a Jedi.

FringeArts: Disney trip after the festival anyone? Yuki and I are in! Alright, and a super serious question, it’s Karaoke night, what song do you pick?

Yuki: You will never catch me doing karaoke.

FringeArts: Haha, me too Yuki. We take the role of ‘supportive audience member that claps the whole time’ very seriously! Someone has too. And Yuki where can we find you after the Festival or perhaps for an inside look into Dream of A?

Yuki: @yu.s.artistry_official and @yuki_yu.s.artistry

FringeArts: Lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?

Yuki: My favorite part has been working with a new group of dedicated artists and deepening connections with my existing community

FringeArts: Thank you so much Yuki, it was a pleasure having you join us in the blog! Everyone make sure you check out Dream of A, and get your tickets HERE! See y’all there!

Meet Abby

FringeArts: Hey there, welcome to the blog! Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself. What’s your name, where are you from, where are you now, and how did you hear about the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival?

Abby: Hey, I’m Abby Lamb! Just two years ago, I choreographed, directed, and produced a show called “Roots Ignite.” This show was originally my senior project for Rowan University but I was so proud of the work I created that I did not want it to end when I graduated. This show debuted in Philadelphia’s Fringe Festival and became a top pick show in week three. After my new found passion for directing, I wanted to create something new for the 2024 season.
I am a 2022 early graduate scholarship student from Rowan University with a BA in Dance, a certification in dance studio management, and Certification of Eligibility in teaching dance. During my time at Rowan, I was in several mainstages, such as Groove!, Small Gifts, and Making Good Trouble. I was also heavily involved in Rowan’s contemporary dance company, Dance Extensions, and a member of Rowan’s Hip Hop dance crew, 3D. Prior to Rowan, I was a competitive dancer at Dance! By Debra Dinote for fifteen years. Here I had the opportunity to perform on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World and with the Philadelphia Soul football team. I am now the dance teacher at Williamstown Middle school in south Jersey. This past year was my first year teaching and the first year of the dance program at the middle school. I continue teaching outside of the middle school at Dance! By Debra Dinote and Adagio Dance center. I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication my dancers have shown and cannot wait to show my new work!

FringeArts: Yess, another Fringe Festival returner! What show are you presenting this year?

Abby: UNDERESTIMATED is a choreographed dance piece that encompasses the strength, power, diligence, and confidence of a woman. Throughout the production, stories of women adversity are depicted. These stories are reflective of the specific emotions felt when a woman or those around her face confrontation. The dancers represent this through athletic ability, movement, and emotion. Oftentimes women are put into a specific stereotype and outline of what we should be or how we should act. This becomes isolating or lonely given the expectations. A 6 foot by 7 foot cube is used as a representation of isolation. Dancers dance inside, outside, and on the cube to represent the struggle of fitting in or breaking out of a stereotype.

UNDERESTIMATED, Abby Lamb
Sept. 20-22nd at the Performance Garage
Dance

FringeArts: Interesting! That’s truly going to be great to see them navigating these conflicts or stereotypes they face! Abby, let’s get to know you a little bit more. How did you get into the arts, are there any take away moments that really influence you?

Abby: I grew up dancing in a studio and decided to continue my love for it in high school as well. My high school started a dance program during my sophomore year. My teacher Taylor Carey is truly the person who inspired me to continue dancing and begin choreographing on my own. She believed in me and pushed me to try new things.

[ FringeArts notes: Special shoutout to all the teachers for all that they do, inspiring the youth and providing a welcoming, nurturing environment for young kids to grow up and learn in! ]

FringeArts: What’s your favorite thing to do in Philly?

Abby: My favorite thing to do in Philly is go to Eagles games with my family. My family is season ticket holders and it is so nice to have everyone together to celebrate and watch the game.

FringeArts: GO BIRDS!!! Just had to! Anyways, back to the questions, is there any tv show or movie that you would have loved to been apart of?

Abby: A tv show that I would have loved to have been apart of would have to be World Of Dance because I was inspired by so many pieces seen on the show.

FringeArts: Truly so many astounding performances in that show! Looks wickedly demanding but honestly the talent and strength is something else. Well as we start to wrap things up here, is there anything else you’d like to mention? Where can we find you after the Festival?

Abby: My instagram is: @abby_lamb

FringeArts: Lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?

Abby: My most favorite part in working on my show this year has been collaborating with my dancers and watching them bring my ideas to life.

FringeArts: Well, we look forward to seeing your show and wish you well in this year’s fringe festival! Everyone, don’t wait! Get your tickets to UNDERESTIMATED, you don’t wanna miss it! See ya soon. 

Meet Leigh

FringeArts: Hey there, welcome to the blog! Why don’t you tell us a little about yourselves. What are your names, where are you both from, maybe where are you now, and how did you hear about the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival?

Leigh: Greetings! I am Leigh, I am performing artist and mover based in West Philly. I’m originally from the midwest, but have been in West Philly since 2011 (!) (woof, I can’t really believe that). I had the privilege of being in the play “It’s Time We Pay Them A Visit” last year as part of Fringe/Cannonball and am thrilled to be part of Fringe season again this year 🙂

FringeArts: Nice to meet you Leigh! Well, tell us about what you’re presenting in this year’s Philly Fringe Festival!

Leigh: I am actually producing and presenting two shows this year, (eeee! It’s been a very busy season over here). You can clearly see the two sides of my brain working on these:
“sorry just seeing this” is a performance about the relationship we have with our phones and by proxy with our people. it’s about us feeling *hyper-connected and disconnected* all at once. lots of fun with the sound scores, interactivity with audience members and using unique lighting (via a phone) to create moody compositions.

sorry just seeing this, Leigh Huster
Sept 29th at 3:30 PM at Icebox Project Space Gallery
Dance/Immersive, Part of Cannonball

“Clapping for nature” (the other side of my brain at the moment) is an outdoor immersive ecological gratitude practice. The piece explore the science of applause as a social contagion and what it means to clap for a non-human audience – nature! It takes place at Concourse Lake, a stormwater reservoir and native plant park in Fairmount Park.

clapping for nature, Leigh Huster
Sept 19-22nd at Concourse Lake
Dance/Immersive

FringeArts: Yess double Fringe! My mind is stirring, they both sound amazing! Leigh what’s inspired this stirring brain of yours as an artist?

Leigh: Being creative makes me feel the most like myself — dancing and using my body to express a concept has been part of how my brain works and understanding how the world works.

FringeArts: Can definitely relate! On a more serious note, if you could be any food, what would you be and why…

Leigh: Cheeseburger! I have a tattoo of one on my left upper arm

FringeArts: That is AWESOME! I’m inspired to make my next tattoo my fav food! But, quick, it’s Karaoke night, what song do you pick?

Leigh: She drives me crazy by fine young cannibals!

FringeArts: Hmm, I’ll add that to the playlist! Alright, back to the actual questions… which other show(s) are either of you looking forward to seeing in the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival?

Leigh: Definitely, within/without by Jungwoong Kim; Island Tammy Carrasco; FutureJam ’94 Chelsea Murphy. 

FringeArts: Solid picks! And as we start to wrap up is there anything else you’d like to mention? Where can we find you after the Festival?

Leigh: Find me on Insta: @jock_witch

[FringeArts notes: That is such a good handle!]

FringeArts: Lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?

Leigh: Connecting with some of my favorite people and making magic happen in real life!

FringeArts: Well, I’m sure you’ve still got a lot to prepare for with two shows, but thank you for joining us in this edition of the blog! Make sure you get your tickets for BOTH clapping for nature AND sorry just seeing this now! Bye-bye!

Meet Kaila

FringeArts: Hey there, welcome to the blog! Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself. What’s your name, where are you from, where are you now, and how did you hear about the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival? Iconic picture by the way!

Kaila: Hey there! My name is Kaila Galinat (she/they). I’m a New Yorker of 8+ years, originally from quiet eastern Connecticut. I attended Adelphi University (BFA Acting) and Atlantic Acting School (2.5-yr Conservatory), and studied extensively with UCB in New York. I first performed my show, “okay, bye!” in my friend’s living room for some close friends, then went to Theatre Row as part of the United Solo Theater Festival in NYC and Pridefest at The Tank NYC. Friends kept recommending me to Fringe festivals, and Philadelphia was a great option for us!

FringeArts: Great to meet you Kaila! And what show are you presenting? Spill the tea – tell us about it.

Kaila: My solo show, “okay, bye!” was inspired by an excruciating series of rejections in my real life: the end of a 5-year relationship with a man (and our cat), losing my job(s) during the pandemic, adopting a cat who doesn’t like me, dating apps and dating as a baby queer, searching for a therapist who won’t ghost, and having flashbacks to childhood friend-breakups. The show came to fruition thanks to GOOD friends, a GOOD therapist, and a UCB writing class.
When I set out to write the show, it was originally for therapeutic reasons: write down all that had happened as a story in order to distance myself from it and gain perspective. When I presented it to close friends, I felt hesitant about writing about real people in my life and sounding like a crybaby victim. As it turned out, the stories were meaningful for others to hear. I did gain perspective while writing it; the show is now its own entity which invites the audience in to the experience of a person who, despite years of being devalued and discarded, remains optimistic and curious about who they are and what it means to love. It’s a generous and hilarious offering to anyone who is questioning their identity, exploring their needs, or just needs some hope and a laugh.
Special thanks to Jasmine K Bernard (my director) and Christine Treuhold (my stage manager) and everyone else who has worked on this with me and all our individual sponsors, for helping make this possible!

okay, bye!: a show about rejection, Kaila Galinat
Sept 21-22nd at the Painted Mug Cafe
Theater, Comedy & Improv

FringeArts: Kaila, why arts?

Kaila: Storytelling is generous and selfish at the same time! The opportunity to entertain, reflect, amplify and enlighten is so special. It IS hard to do this: it’s hard to balance a life in art with paying the bills, to balance an actor’s schedule with your loved ones’, to wear so many creative hats, to make the choice to start something when nobody is asking you to. But it is the most fun and rewarding way I could think to spend my time.

FringeArts: Well put! Rewarding in many different ways. Well, you have the once in a lifetime chance to teleport anywhere right now, where would it be?!

Kaila: Costa Rica, baby!!! Sunshine, rainforests, coffee, art, hikes and great food!

FringeArts: I’ll be adding THAT to the bucket list, great reminder! Now, this is important, if you could be any food, what would you be and why…

Kaila: Potatoes. The versatility!! I’d be a different flavor of tater every day. But I’d probably choose potato skins a lot of the time.

FringeArts: I think potatoes are amazing! Like, could eat them everyday. French fries, gnocchi, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes… alright, back to the actual questions… which other show(s) are you looking forward to seeing in the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival?

Kaila: I wish I could stay in town to see so many shows, but there are a few I’d be happy to catch while I’m here: Othello (vs. the Military Industrial Complex), Walk Me Through Your Resume.

FringeArts:  Both great choices, where can we find Kaila after the Festival?

Kaila: You can find me on instagram @kailagalinat AND you can subscribe to my substack “am I healed yet?” – kailagalinat.substack.com

FringeArts: Lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?

Kaila: The support from Simon & Philadelphia Fringe is such a gift. I’m thrilled to be sharing “okay, bye!” with Philadelphia, with the Fringe audience, and specifically with the community from the Painted Mug (where we are performing!). This will be the smallest stage yet (besides my friend’s living room), and this forces my team and I to strip the show down, find what’s essential, and keep it fresh for this specific audience.

FringeArts: THANK YOU Kaila! Always happy to support artists! And we’re thrilled for you! Everyone, go see okay bye!: a show about rejection HERE!

Meet Christy, Caroline & Sam

FringeArts: Hey there, welcome to the blog! Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself. What’s your name, where are you from, where are you now, and how did you hear about the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival? Iconic picture by the way!

Christy: My name is Christy (…some might also know me as Emily…or Dr.Christy…long story…) I was born in Chile and came to the USA in 2000. I am in Lehigh Valley Pa and have known about Fringe Festival for a long time now due to my involvement with the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts since 2006

Caroline: My name is Caroline. I have grown and currently reside in the Lehigh Valley. I heard about Fringe through my aerial instructor.

Sam: Hi! I’m Sam Anderson, a member of the Aerial Mind trio. Born in Northeast Philadelphia, I now live in Bethlehem and work as a newspaper editor. I am also the company manager for the Moravian University Dance Company. We were encouraged to apply for the Fringe Festival after showing some of our works in progress at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts Test Flights.

FringeArts: Happy to have you all! And forgive me for this corny joke, but let’s dive right into your show: AQUA Connection. What can we expect to see?

Christy: “AQUA Connection” is the name of the performance, it is is a 60 minute Aerial Dance mixed media production that uses silk, rope, net, trapeze, & modern dance to explore the symbolic connection between humans and water. It is also an invitation to explore & connect with our most precious natural element…

AQUA Connection, Aerial Mind
Sept 21st at 6 & 8PM at Circus Campus
Circus + Dance, Part of Circus Campus

FringeArts: Refreshing! And what inspires you all to create or to be apart of the arts?

Sam: The potential to share your passion with others is what keeps me creating and performing. Even in the rehearsal process, our trio has been able to connect in new ways. I’m looking forward to sharing our efforts with the world.

Christy: The Arts as a whole, I think provide a space of exploration. Personally, Aerial Dance & the circus Arts as the bigger umbrella, have given me the trust to dance and connect with my emotional self. At a different level, I got interested in how beautifully mind & body align while dancing in the air and I wanted to share that experience with others as well.

Caroline: I like climbing trees, so aerials is a great way of mimicking that without the neighbors calling the police on me.

FringeArts: Is there any tv show or movie that you would have loved to been apart of?

Sam: I would love to have been involved with “New Girl” or “Psych.” Those casts really seem to have a lot of fun together in a supportive environment.

FringeArts: Yes, bring back New Girl! It’s a great comfort show to be honest. Okay now, this is important, if you could be any food, what would you be and why…

Caroline: Sunflower seed, because it’s also a flower.

Christy: Avocado- because it can be a good company no matter what-

Sam: I would be a potato because of the versatility and endless possibilities. Plus, they are delicious in any form.

FringeArts: Thumbs up approval for all of those! What are your favorite things to do in Philly?

Caroline: Go explore the multi-cultural food markets

Christy: Learn, teach and play at the Philadelphia School of circus Arts

Sam: I love coming back down to Philly to spend time with family and friends who still live in the area.

FringeArts: And before we wrap this up, is there anything else you all would like to mention? Where can we find you after the Festival?

Sam: A major component of Aerial Mind is self-reflection and discussion through the artistic process. Stick around after our performances to discuss and reflect on the shared experience. We can be found at aerialmind.com or on Instagram at @aerialmind.official.

Christy:  I would like to openly extend my gratitude to Shana & Greg Kennedy for allowing and encouraging our participation at Fringe and equally relevant Sam & Caroline as my ongoing source of energy in keeping up with continuing to be an aerial dancer at 49. 

FringeArts: Lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?

Christy:  The quality time spend with people around the process.

Caroline: We’ve been building on our choreography for the better part of 2 years so my favorite part will be finally able to perform it.

Sam: In the past, I’ve performed aerials, choreographed for and performed in dance concerts and served on the behind-the-scenes production side of shows. This show has given me the opportunity to combine all of these facets.

FringeArts: Thank you again for joining the blog, what a dynamic trio you all are! Fringe fans, get your tickets to AQUA Connection HERE!