Get To Know The 2025 Fringe Festival Artists: Edition #5
There’s still so much time to get out and see some Fringe Festival shows this September! Get to know some of this year’s artists and their shows below… you might just find your next MUST SEE show!
Great Bends: An Immersive Dinner Party Play by Floorwork Arts Collective
September 19th – 21st
FringeArts: Hello Hello! Thank you for being on the blog today! Could you introduce yourself?
Becca Neckritz: I’m Becca Neckritz, a Temple Theaters alum, born and raised in Montco! Many folks know me as half of @PhillyFoodLadies (101k+), one of Philly’s biggest food + lifestyle pages, but I am also the cofounder of Floorwork Arts Co (@Floorworkco). Floorwork is a new arts collective specializing in immersive, experimental work. This year we produced an arts party / premiere of a musical satire about consultants who get turned into bunnies, a collaborative immersive show about alternatives to capitalism, a reading of a new play about anti-Natalism, and the world premiere of Great Bends by Sarah Powers!
I grew up going to Philly Fringe shows at venues all over, and was cast in my first Fringe show as a sophomore at Temple- I had approximately one line and everyone kept getting hurt (including the audience), but it was a great way to meet professional actors and grow my network. This will be my first time producing a Fringe show- and having to memorize more than one line to perform in a Fringe show!
I am bringing a slew of artists along with me for this show, including folks from Denver, Chicago, and Arkansas. I can’t wait for them to experience Philly (and give them their first authentic cheesesteak).
FringeArts: Hello Becca! It’s special to talk to someone who seems to have grown up alongside our wonderful festival! We’re so excited for your show (and for the cheesesteaks!)—could you tell us a bit more about the aforementioned show?
Becca Neckritz: Waters are rising. Fire fighters no longer exist. Babies are taking their first breath.
In a near-future teetering on the edge of climate catastrophe, Great Bends tells the story of three former activists navigating the complexities of life, loss, and an uncertain future. Set against the backdrop of relentless flooding in their hometown of Great Bend, Kansas, the play delves into the personal impact of climate change, the future of reproduction, and the repercussions of diverging paths.
Great Bends will premiere as an immersive dinner theatre, with a three course meal! Every ticket invites you to join these friends in a homecooked meal provided by Floorwork Arts Collective.
Great Bends is a new play by Sarah Powers, created in the midst of our real-life climate crisis. This show is an actual dinner party that draws the audience into the intimate intricacies of a tradwife who is against reproduction, her hapless waterfighter husband, and her lawyer best friend who is bursting to spill her guts.
FringeArts: WOW! Thats a lot of bang for our audiences’ buck! And We’re talking BOTH food AND thought provoking theatre! This is very very exciting! You told us a bit about your journey alongside Fringe, but could you tell us why you’ve chosen to pursue the daring life of someone in the arts?
Becca Neckritz: My dad love Golden Age Musicals, so I would pop thick tapes into the VCR player, excited to escape into the world of Cinderella or even Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. I begged my mom to put me in dance while I was still in diapers after becoming entranced by a big cousin’s ballet recital. I wrote and directed my first play at age 8 at he Cheltenham Art Center- it was called Evelyn and the Animals and followed the story of my Webkins stuffed bear. I spent middle school on YouTube, poring over bootlegs of Heathers and Legally Blonde the musical. I can’t say why, but I was always obsessed with dance and musical theatre!
One of my favorite things about being an artist is creating political art with like-minded creatives. I often feel depressed, growing up during this rise of American fascism and the Trump era. It feels liberating to create theatre that changes people’s minds and empowers them to speak out and take action against injustice, in whatever ways they can.
FringeArts: Ah, the power of the theatre! You are preaching to the choir Becca! Thank you for sharing that! Turning to Great Bends specifically, could you tell us about anything thats been specifically impactful or special about creating this piece?
Becca Neckritz: We rehearsed Great Bends in a WeWork in NYC’s Financial District, which feels ironic as our theatre collective is decidedly anti-capitalist. (As broke artists, we don’t have the budget to rent real studio space.) One night, we used the phonebooks meant for Zoom meetings aa a private scream session! It was cathartic and revelatory and upsetting and healing.
FringeArts: What would the creation of art be without a little irony! We’re so glad that this space of creation could be a cathartic one for you all! Pivoting now to the festival in general, we know that you’re a seasoned Fringe attendee! What shows are you looking forward to in this years festival (outside of your own!)?
Becca Neckritz: I am a huge fan of August Hakvaag’s work, ever since working with them as Temple students! They have two shows in Fringe this year: Acute Exposure, and The Superconductor.
FringeArts: Can we just say how special it is that Hakvaag brought college students into the world of the Fringe! And so special that that was only the beginning for you! Ok, final question! Any movies, books, or TV shows you’ve read or watched lately that you think would also resonate with audiences of your show?
Becca Neckritz: I just went to West Philly and bought Her Body And Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado at Bindlestiff Books- I read the entire thing in one day in the grass at Clark Park.
FringeArts: A perfect Philly day! OK! CALLING ALL CARMEN MARIA MACHADO READERS! GET YOUR TICKETS TO “GREAT BENDS” NOW!! Becca, thank you so much for being with us on the blog today! We look forward to seeing your show!
MAGA and ANTIFA take MDMA together by Brian Shapiro Presents
September 27th
Fringearts: Hello! Thank you so much for joining us on the blog! Could you please introduce yourself to our readers!
Brian Shapiro: My name is Brian Shapiro. While a Californian by birth, I’ve called Philadelphia home since 2011. At this point in time, I’m 30 years into my performance career that has seen the generation of numerous original performance art works, musical albums, and a few films. Typically, the work addresses the social landscapes of the moment, and this latest work, “MAGA and ANTIFA take MDMA together”, is no exception. With a deep appreciation for artistic collaboration, this newest work brings together the Hansen Protasi Group, a jazz sextet based in West Chester, PA, who helped round out the original music from this production.
Fringearts: Amazing! Thank you Brian, we are so excited to have you here! Could you tell us a bit more about “MAGA and ANTIFA take MDMA together“?
Brian Shapiro: This show features original songs that were the result of a rouge study that attempted to get underneath the surface of extreme viewpoints that exist in today’s world. Gathering a small group of far lefties and far righties and giving them a healthy dose of MDMA in a controlled setting (in this case, a small cabin on the shores of Lake Ontario), the revelations these folks shared as to why they think the way they do was nothing short of extraordinary. These revelations were then turned into songs that are the foundation of the show. Needless to say, there will be some surprising personal revelations that surprising large number of people will probably relate to. It’s a raucous ride that’s worth the price of admission!
Fringearts: How absolutely interesting! A wild concept certainly, yet our audience must expect to resonate with the show? How perfectly fringey! So! You’re 30 years into your career as a performer! Tell us what led you here, to this daring lifestyle that you seem to have dived right into (and kept on swimming!)
Brian Shapiro: It was more of a calling than anything else, and once I made to decision to start making art the need to do so has never ceased!
Fringearts: Wonderful! And getting a bit more specific, has there been anything particularly special about the artistic process that was the creation if THIS show?
Brian Shapiro: The opportunity to collaborate with a talented and enthusiastic group of young musicians has been totally exhilarating, as well as the unique approach to what otherwise could be a very explosive topic.
Fringearts: We are PARTICULARLY excited about the way in which this show approaches music! It’s wonderful that our audiences will get to benefit from such a rousing collaboration! I wonder, in the name of collaboration, if there are any Fringe shows that YOU are particularly excited to see this month?
Brian Shapiro: Not sure how to answer that yet, as I’m still browsing through all the wonderful offerings.
Fringearts: No time pressure, as I’m sure that you’re a bit busy working on your show, BUT chop chop Brian! September is ALREADY here! But we understand of course, it’s a busy month! Ok! One last, and VERY important question: Who are you in a zombie apocalypse?
Brian Shapiro: I’m the person on the side looking at everything taking place and trying to make sense of it all, which is probably a recipe for personal disaster.
Fringearts: Hmm you know, there is a time and place for taking it all in. For example, audiences should take it all in at Brian’s show on the 27th. But maybe not in a zombie apocalypse! Thank you Brian for being here! We look forward to seeing your show!
Terms of Use: A Millennial Farce by Angela Harmon, Leftovers Art Collective
FringeArts: Hello friend! Welcome to the Blog! Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Angela Harmon: Well hey there 🙂 I’m Angela Harmon, a South Jersey raised, Philly based artist and small business owner. This fest will be my third time at Philly Fringe (previously in 2010 and 2011), and my first time as lead artist.
FringeArts: The prodigal child returns to the Philly Fringe after over ten years! And we are so excited to have you back Angela! Could you tell us all about this years show?
Angela Harmon: Last November marked my 20th anniversary of being on Facebook. I signed up for it in 2004 when I was an incoming freshman in college, which happened to be right as the site opened up to universities outside of Harvard. (It was still The Facebook then.) I realized that at 39 years old this meant that I’ve now been on Facebook for longer than I haven’t, which is a strange new benchmark for people approaching middle age to hit. The quick ascent of technofascism since last fall has made me want to recall the simplicity of the early internet, back when it was tethered to the corner of a room in your house by the phone cord. When it was a toy that was easy to put down and before it weaponized our attention. I wanted to remember what social media was like at 19, when I and every other Millennial became unwitting and gleeful heralds of the greatest tool of 21st century fascism. ‘Terms’ is an attempt at reconciling the Millennial lived experience from when the internet first entered our lives to now, and maybe in doing so we can figure out how to find some kind of future. We’re using theater, film, and a live band playing an original score to offer some upbeat, nostalgic comfort food, all with an eye on community engagement.
FringeArts: Wow! Wow! A stellar return to the Fringe I must say! We’re so excited to see this vivid show unfold around us! I have to ask, of all the many things that make the arts so great, what most made you interested in pursuing this daring life?
Angela Harmon: That’s an interesting way to ask that question because pursuing the arts has never been a choice for me, in whatever capacity it happened to be. I started drawing at 3 years old, portraiture at 12, graphic design at 13, theater at 18, writing at 27. It took being utterly singleminded and a ton of work and luck and support, but this year I quit my day job and became a full time artist. I think self expression is one of the most valuable gifts we can give to each other, and now is a time when artists have an obligation to share their gifts. The arts can save us in so many ways.
FringeArts: The arts CAN save us! So we have to thank you for being a part of all the ways Fringe can save us in 2025! Art is clearly very important to you; one might even call it intrinsic. What has been particularly special about working on this years show?
Angela Harmon: The high level of collaboration in this production has been invaluable. This is a uniquely talented creative team, both in their artistry and in their capacity for sharing and receiving ideas. The production is elevated with each successive rehearsal in a way that is very special. I’m so thrilled to share what we’re putting together!
FringeArts: We’re absolutely thrilled to see what you’ve been working on! Wow! Aside from your show though, what is (in your opinion) a must-see at this year’s festival?
Angela Harmon: Some of my fellow Cannonballers! ‘Donner and Blitzen After School Special with Donner and Blitzen’ and ‘Fascist Groove’
FringeArts: Absolutely! These are great pics! Ok, one more question: aside from being able to pause time and see EVERY Fringe Fest show in Philly this year (all 330+ of them), what would you choose as an uncommon or unconventional super-power?
Angela Harmon: To be able to skip the lines at any given bagel place on a Sunday morning.
FringeArts: A fantastic power! I’d wan’t to skip what I have to expect will be the massive lines at YOUR show this year! I’m so excited to go! Thank you again for being here!
DR GLAS by Jeffrey Hatcher, adapted from the novel by Hjalmar Soderberg presented by DANIEL GERROLL
FringeArts: Hello! Would you please introduce yourself to the blog?
Daniel Gerroll: Daniel Gerroll, based variously in London New York and Los Angeles
FringeArts: Hello Daniel! Lovely to be talking with you! Could you tell us a bit about your show in this year’s festival?
Daniel Gerroll: It’s a psychological thriller written by Jeffrey Hatcher and told with wit and subtlety. . I have performed it in various festivals around the world.
FringeArts: Fabulous! A well seasoned show, finally coming to Philly! Now, of all the many things that make the arts so great, what most made you interested in pursuing this daring life?
Daniel Gerroll: I can’t remember
FringeArts: The world of the arts is a whirlwind, certainly! Who can keep track of one’s full path in the arts? Ok, narrowing the scope for the next question: What’s been the best part of working on this show?
Daniel Gerroll: Coming straight from performing it in Estonia and Sweden
FringeArts: Wow! I have to thank you for coming all this way then! You’ve traveled a long distance to perform here! Are you going to be able to catch any shows in this year’s festival? What can you recommend, what are you looking forward to?
Daniel Gerroll: All of them
FringeArts: Being able to watch ALL our shows is certainly a superpower! Fabulous and ambitious I see! Ok, last question! Who would you be in a zombie apocalypse? Would you be hiding, fighting?
Daniel Gerroll: I’d be the director
FringeArts: Hmmm? the director of the zombies? or the humans? Either way, its good to see that the arts continue on into the apocalypse! Thank you again for being here Daniel, we’re very excited to see this show!
Don’t forget to head to PhillyFringe.org to plan your 2025 Fringe Festival, September 4th-28th!
