Get To Know The 2024 Fringe Festival Artists: Edition #3
This is How We Remember, Zoe Rabinowitz and Galen Bremer
The 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival is well under way, but we’re not even being close to done yet! Still so many shows happening this weekend through the 29th we have to introduce you to some more artists! Get to know a couple of these artists and perhaps, you might find somethings in common or may want to learn more and go to their show! Without further ado – let’s get started!
I'll Eat You Alive, Interrobang Productions
Meet Katie
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?
Katie: Hello! I’m Katie Hileman (she/hers), and I’m a DIY theatre-maker based in Baltimore, Maryland. I am the Artistic Director of Interrobang Productions, and the playwright and director of “I Will Eat You Alive”, which is going to have its Philadelphia premiere with Cannonball Fest September 21 – 29. I’ve had my eye on Philly Fringe for awhile now – I’ve always felt like the Philly theatre scene is the Baltimore theatre scene’s weird older sister, and I mean that in the absolute best way. I think the art we make is really similar, Philly is just much larger than Baltimore – I’m excited to be a part of it!
FringeArts: Haha, well put, but definitely can agree on the sister take! But do tell us more about I Will Eat You Alive!
Katie: “I Will Eat You Alive” is a one-act play in the form of a dinner party in which three fat women confront diet culture, fatphobia, and the struggles of existing as a fat woman today. Each course served is a diet food or weight loss trend, and we watch as the fat women move from celebrating weight loss to the radical acceptance of their own fat bodies, ending with a war-cry to the audience: “We are here. We are fat. And we will eat you alive.” Some of the audience is invited to sit at the dinner table and partake in the meal with the actors. Interrobang first produced this play in January 2024 at The Voxel in Baltimore as a part of their Artist Residency Program, and the production was recently featured in American Theatre Magazine!
I Will Eat You Alive, Interrobang Productions
Sept 21-29th at Icebox Project Space Gallery
Theater, Part of Cannonball
FringeArts: So Katie, tell us if you could be any food what would you be and why? Personally I will choose a French Onion Soup, so homie, so delicious, perfect hearty meal to cozy up with on rainy or foggy day. And go:
Katie: Cheese. Beyond body liberation, “I Will Eat You Alive” is basically a play about how much I love cheese. Oh, and cake – if you see the show, you’ll know why 🙂
FringeArts: Ooo, well let me just get my ticket now! So, now another super important question, are you ready? Go to Karaoke song:
Katie: My friend David and I do a KILLER “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia.
FringeArts: That’s perfect! Always going to be a hit! Well back to the questions, are there any shows in particular you’re looking forward to seeing in the festival?
Katie: All of it, as much as I can! I’m particularly excited to see Savannah Reich’s “What Is the Butt Game?” – A small theatre in Baltimore that doesn’t exist anymore did a play of hers many many years ago called “Stupid Ghost” and I remember seeing that and being like wow I need to see more of this person’s stuff! Actually – when I went to check out her instagram for this year’s Fringe, I saw that I was already following her – I guess I liked her play that much!!
FringeArts: And before we let you get back to rehearsals and tech, is there any other info you’d like to share with us? Where can we find more of Interrobang Productions?
Katie: We are at the Icebox Project Space for 5 shows! Saturday, September 21st at 2pm, Sunday, September 22nd at 9:30pm, Thursday, September 26th at 5pm, Saturday September 28th at 2pm, and Sunday, September 29th at 2pm. We are also having a FREE plus sized clothing swap at the Icebox Project Space on Sunday, September 22nd from 10am-2pm. Social media handles: I Will Eat You Alive – @iweyaproject; Interrobang Productions – @interrobmore; Katie Hileman – @katieh233
FringeArts: And lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?
Katie: My amazing actors blow me away every time! This is a hard play to do (talks about a lot of ~trauma~), and they walk the audience through with humor and so much care. I love them all.
FringeArts: Well Katie we look forward to seeing I Will Eat You Alive, sounds like it’s got great balance throughout it’s intentions! It was great having you Katie, come back for next year’s festival. And Fringe Fam you don’t want to miss this one, get your tickets HERE!
Without God As My Lover, Taproot Creatives
Meet Megan 
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?
Megan: Hi, my name is Megan Medley, I’m from Kentucky, I’m now in New York and I heard about the festival through a friend!
FringeArts: That’s great to hear! Well Megan what show are you presenting in the festival?
Megan: Without God As My Lover in a new 90 minute live theater dramedy exploring faith, healing, and forgiveness. You say a romance can’t be spicy, hilarious, and theological at the same time? Challenge accepted. Teresa comes to Father Daniel hoping to wring out of him her estranged father’s last words – but they both end up getting much more than they bargained for. If Fleabag left you wanting more, this is the play for you!
Without God As My Lover, Taproot Creatives
Sept 21-22nd at the Yellow Bicycle Theater
Theater
FringeArts: So Megan what has made you so daringly want to become an artist?
Megan: I think the contact and relationships you make with other people when you’re building something together. The experience of creating and rehearsing theater with other people is unlike any other and you truly make memories that stay in your heart your whole life. It’s so hard and everyone is there giving the best of themselves towards a common goal, I find that really moving. We’re all striving towards something together and working to overcome inevitable challenges along the way. It’s something that gives me hope.
FringeArts: Couldn’t imagine being anywhere else than the arts for that reason! Or could you? Time to teleport? Where would you go?
Meghan: Well, at the moment I happen to be in southern Italy – it’s hard to wish for better than that!
FringeArts: A great choice! Let’s see what else you got? Go to Karaoke song?
Meghan: I DUG MY KEYS INTO THE SIDE OF HIS PRETTY LITTLE SOUPED UP FOUR WHEEL DRIVE!
FringeArts: YESSS! Sing it to the rooftops! Megan, being in Philly, where are some places you love to visit?
Megan: I’m kind of a dork for history so I like to go to the old historic part of town and see things like the Liberty Bell. The art museum is also gorgeous in Philly. But honestly, I’ve only been to Philly a couple of times so I can’t wait to discover more!
FringeArts: Philly has just so much enriching history around every corner, plenty to discover! Well, it was a pleasure having you here Megan! Before we wrap things up, where can we find you and more of your work?
Megan: Yes! Please give us a follow at @taproot_official – we got lots of things cooking!
FringeArts: Lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?
Megan: Honestly everyone coming together and believing in my play and giving of themselves and their monumental talents with such generosity. It literally brings tears to my eyes to think about it. I care deeply about every member of our team and have such gratitude for who they are as people and what they’ve brought to the work.
FringeArts: Thank you again Megan and wish you all the creative team all the best of luck! Without God As My Lover, get your tickets HERE!
Sohrab is Bumbling Foriegner, Sohrab Haghverdi
Meet Sohrab 
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?
Sohrab: Hey, my name is Sohrab Haghverdi, I am from Iran, I live in Philly. I heard about Fringe when I came here to study Devised Performance at the Pig Iron school. Ever since I graduated in 2019 I have had a piece in Fringe.
FringeArts: Awesome so happy to keep the history and tradition alive. So tell us about the show you’re presenting!
Sohrab: My show is Sohrab is Bumbling Foriegner. It is a very Wild and very Foriegn show! Sometimes I think one part of me made the 911MAN last year, and this year another part of me created a response piece to that show. I feel that at times I put my identity in the forefront of my creations, and at other times I feel icky about it. It is the same thing as when I speak Farsi onstage. I can tell from the point of view of the audience it is beautiful, but inadvertently I am choosing to alienate myself by highlighting my major difference with others.
Anyways, that’s a long winded response. My collaborators and I like to use the following description: Iranian theater artist hopes his genius performance will have him naturalized or deported. The Bumbling Foriegner does not want to tell you about his exile from Iran and his trials with stage four cancer to evoke your sympathy. Instead, he will translate his genius into something digestible. This is an absurd comedy solo. The Foriegner will eat hot dogs and will not drink his own urine.
Sohrab is Bumbling Foriegner, Sohrab Haghverdi
Sept. 21-28th at Christ Church Neighborhood House
Theater, Part of Cannonball
FringeArts: Awesome, glad we get to discover a little more outside of Preview Nights for this great show! So much buzz. So Sohrab, tell us why you chose the daring life of becoming an artist.
Sohrab: oh, simple. That I would die without it.
FringeArts: Very understandable. Very reasonable. Very accurate. Very mindful. Alright super important question here, but, I have to ask it… if you had the once in a lifetime opportunity to teleport somewhere right now, where would you go?
Sohrab: My house in Tehran, after school, my best friend and I are coming home to play PES 2011. Also in Iran, even though it is illegal, almost everybody has satellite TV (it is crazy we could catch channels that people here can’t have). And sometime after playing PES, my friend and I would try to catch a Hollywood movie without censorship… It was tender and vulnerable and admittedly awkward to be discovering Hollywood sex scenes with your best friend like that, but there was something so magical about that experience.
FringeArts: Ahhh to be young, reminisce. Sohrab is there a food that really inspires you and you wish you could become?
Sohrab: Fesenjoon. It is a Persian dish that my Mom makes. It is Sour and it Sweet and it is really ugly but you can’t help but fall in love with this goddamn dish. It’s everything and it is my main theatre inspiration.
[FringeArts notes: Fesenjoon both sounds and looks pretty good! Check it out….]
FringeArts: Alright, back to the actual questions, are there any shows in particular that you are looking forward to in the Philly Fringe Festival?
Sohrab: Love you Love you Love you By Sarah Sanford, Dead Dad Show by John Miller Giltner, and The Fluxus Brothers Present: Good Art Bad Art!
FringeArts: All great shows! Well, before we let you go Sohrab, where can we find you outside of your show?
Sohrab: Yes find me on instagram: @hsohrab
FringeArts: Lastly, what has been something memorable to your working process in Sohrab is Bumbling Foriegner?
Sohrab: The Fluxus Brothers (Mason and Ben Rosenthal) directed my show. They are the best p(art).
FringeArts: Haha, I get the pun, way to sneak that one in there! Sohrab it’s been great getting to know you! Fringe Fam, we hope you saw Sohrab perform during Preview Nights! But if not, this is the time, don’t miss out! Tickets are available for purchase HERE.
This is How We Remember, Zoe Rabinowitz and Galen Bremer
Meet Zoe
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?
Zoe: Hi, my name is Zoe Rabinowitz and I’m an independent dance artist and educator originally from Vermont and currently based in Brooklyn, NY. I graduated from the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and The Ailey/Fordham BFA program, with additional studies at De Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (Netherlands). I was encouraged to check out the Philadelphia Fringe Festival by my friend and local artist Shayla Vie Jenkins.
FringeArts: Lovely to have you Zoe! Let’s get started. Give us the tea about the show you will be presenting in the festival.
Zoe: I’ll be presenting This is How We Remember – a full-length multimedia performance exploring loss and wonder co-created by myself and Galen Bremer. The piece bears witness to deterioration and transformation over time, inspired by our experience with Alzheimer’s disease. Featuring original movement, music, text, and video projection on found and fabricated objects, the work asks audiences to remember our responsibility to ourselves, one another, and the world in the face of joy and grief.
This is How We Remember, Zoe Rabinowitz and Galen Bremer
Sept 21-29th at Christ Church Neighborhood House,
Dance, Part of Cannonball
FringeArts: Well, aside from being a hardworking artist, given the chance to pause time, where’s somewhere you’d teleport to?
Zoe: I would teleport home to Vermont to check on my mom and pick the last of the tomatoes from the garden!
FringeArts: That’s great! Could go for a steak tomatoe sandwich right now! Are there any shows in particular you looking forward to seeing from the festival?
Zoe: I’m really looking forward to seeing “Love you Love you Love you” by Sarah Sanford, which is another work that is inspired by an experience of a mother with dementia. What many people don’t realize is that alongside all the horror of this experience, there is a lot of humor, and it looks like Sarah’s show engages with that.
FringeArts: Oh Love you Love you Love you was great at Preview Nights! Sarah does a great job at capturing the various tones and moments throughout the performance, do recommend! Zoe, given the opportunity, what tv show or film would you want to be apart of?
Zoe: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was a deeply moving and inspirational film that I would have loved to be a part of. The costumes, the multi-verse, the mother-daughter struggle of good and evil, it had it all!
FringeArts: Yes, so true, it is honestly such a great film! Well, before we go, where can we find you and more of Zoe?
Zoe: I’ll be performing an excerpt of this work in Lincoln, Vermont on Sept 28 & 29 at Marrowbone, an outdoor theater festival. On November 15 & 16 I will be performing at Duke Arts with Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre
FringeArts: That’s awesome! We look forward to that and lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?
Zoe: My collaborator/co-performer Mary McGrath and I laugh a lot during the rehearsal process. It’s been a joy to be back in the studio, laughing together.
FringeArts: Thank you for hanging out with us on the blog Zoe. And thank you audience! For more information on This is How We Remember click HERE! See y’all soon!
After YES, Meghan Frederick/Practice Project
Meet (Another) Meghan
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?
Meghan: Hey, I’m Meghan. I’m from Maine, where I am involved in a preliminary research/rehearsal process which I’ll bring back to Philly for Fringe. I live most of the time in Queen Village and I have performed in the Cannonball festival several times.
FringeArts: Nice to meet you Meghan! And welcome back. Tell us a little about the show you are presenting in this year’s Philly Fringe Festival?
Meghan: The show is called ‘After YES‘. This is a group version of a solo project I’ve been performing since 2017. I’ve wanted to try this group version for a very long time and am really excited it is finally happening! The solo version is an improvisational score that uncovers the dancer’s desire as a product and a force. When done as a group additional questions about togetherness, community, difference, awareness etc… all come into play.
After YES, Meghan Frederick/Practice Project
Sept 21-29th at Studio 34
Dance
FringeArts: So Meghan what has made you so daringly want to become an artist?
Meghan: I have tried to do something else so many times! Somehow the arts just pull me in because it is what I want to be spending my time doing. If I could be in the studio every day, I would.
FringeArts: Meant to be! Well, aside from being an artist, given the chance to pause or mess with time, where’s somewhere you’d teleport to?
Meghan: It would actually be right here! I just traveled to Buenos Aires to present at the 2024 Dance Studies Association conference- that was pretty much as far as one can get from Downeast Maine so I’m just glad to be back.
FringeArts: Ooo what a great choice, have to add that to the list! Well, we do have to teleport back. And now we’re in Philly. What’s your perfect day in Philly look like?
Meghan: I like to go out to dinner/drinks with my husband. We have two young kids, so any chance we have to eat uninterrupted and have a conversation is great. Bonus points if it is even a little bit fancy.
FringeArts: Ahhh, yes indeed big bonus points! And are you hoping to see any other particular shows in the festival?
Meghan: I haven’t even had a chance to put things on the calendar… you know.. kids!
FringeArts: Yes, please get that rest, someone give Meghan an award or cape, or a drink! Well before we let you go, where can we find you and more of your work?
Meghan: You can find me @meghanfrederick5
FringeArts: Lastly, what has been your most favorite part in working on your show for this year’s festival?
Meghan: Seeing everyone’s unique responses to this score. It isn’t an easy thing to dance through, and seeing all the wonderful ways people approach it has been great.
FringeArts: Awesome! It was great having you Meghan! Thank you for hanging out with us on the blog. And everyone get your tickets to After YES! Be sure to check out the next edition of Get to Know the 2024 Philly Fringe Festival Artists, coming up!
Don’t forget to head to PhillyFringe.org to plan your 2024 Fringe Festival, September 5th-29th!
