BSR_S10E12 - Nell Bang-Jensen - FringeArts
In this episode of the Broad Street Review podcast, host Darnelle Radford speaks with Nell Bang-Jensen, CEO and producing director of Fringe Arts, as they reflect on her first year in the role. They discuss the importance of Fringe Arts in supporting new and experimental work, the growth of the festival, and the significance of community engagement in the arts. Nell shares insights on the challenges faced by artists, the role of workshops, and the unique experiences offered by events like Feastival. The conversation also touches on funding challenges and the potential for more festivals in Philadelphia, emphasizing the need for continued support for the arts community.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fringe Arts and Nell Bang-Jensen
02:12 Reflecting on a Year at Fringe Arts
04:06 The Importance of Fringe Festivals
06:30 Supporting Artists and Workshops
08:29 Navigating the Festival Landscape
11:04 The Role of Community in the Arts
14:19 Festival Growth and Audience Engagement
15:29 Curated vs. Neighborhood Festivals
17:54 Thematic Hubs and Community Engagement
20:35 Challenges with Non-Traditional Spaces
23:29 The Future of Fringe Arts
25:59 Feastival: A Culinary and Arts Experience
28:16 Planning for the Future of Fringe Arts
33:51 Community Needs and Artist Support
35:59 The Future of Festivals in Philadelphia
38:56 Funding Challenges in the Arts
39:48 Conclusion and Future Aspirations
ABOUT NELL BANG-JENSEN (CEO and Producing Director of FringeArts)
Nell Bang-Jensen is a Philadelphia-based theater maker and the newly appointed Artistic Director of Theatre Horizon She has created four full-scale, original works, in addition to directing and producing for many of Philadelphia’s major theater institutions, including Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Wilma, Pig Iron, and the Painted Bride. Nell is a recipient of a 2019 Map Fund Award, a Next Stage Director’s Fellowship from the Drama League (2019), a Thomas J. Watson Fellow (2011-2012), a Frank 5 Fellow for the Aydelotte Foundation (2017), and a participant in the Leadership U: One-on-One program, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications group; a national fellowship given to eight individuals who TCG believes are the core and future of theater. In October 2018, American Theatre magazine named her one of six "theatre workers to know" across the nation.
FOR MORE ABOUT FRINGE ARTS: https://fringearts.com
