Top 5# Tips is where I ask the experts in my arts community, to share their top tips on any given subject.
At the time of creating this post Adelaide Fringe Festival 2023 has just had its opening weekend on Kaurna country.
So I thought it was fitting for this ‘Top 5# Tips‘ to ask a bunch of Adelaide Fringe veterans – producers, performers, and ‘behind-the-scenes’ legends to share some helpful hints about ‘Surviving & Thriving’ at the second biggest arts festival in the world.
*Featured image of the Garden of Unearthly Delights by Chris Oaten, chosen to pay homage to him and his work.
Sarah Platts – Stage Manager, props builder, backstage legend at Gluttony.
Drink more water than you think you need, then drink more! It gets super hot & your body will thank you for it. Label everything in your venue, even if it feels pointless at the time I promise you will thank yourself later when shit hits the fan & you have to fault-find quickly. Even though the site provides all your tape (gaffer/lx/spike) have your own personal stash of what you need too. It’s better to have your own on hand to use as backup than having to do a mad dash to get more once shows are up & running. Remember to thank everyone for their work. It doesn’t matter if someone is from the major artist or the person cleaning the toilets, they are equally important. Festivals can’t run without every last human in the park, and believe me, a thank you goes a long way! Get some rest on your day off… actual rest! It’s a long month of hard (but ridiculously rewarding) work. You will enjoy your days at work way more if you have the energy to be there!
Nigel Donald Martin Aka Mr Spin – Performer, musician, venue designer & builder at Bamboozled Productions
Just keep going…
Don’t think…
Just keep going…
Don’t think…
Just keep going………Finish Sleep.
Louise Clarke director, producer & performer at Bamboozled Productions
Mine will all sound really boring 😆
Go to bed early whenever you can. I try not to drink too much. Book in shows early, get organized or time will slip away and you will try and squish everything in on the last week!
Go to the beach.
Relax, it’s all going to be okay, and enjoy the ride.
………….. Finish Sle
Peta Spurling-Brown – Artist Manager, Producer & Boss at Hey Boss
Suss out where the best/cleanest toilets are!
Always assume you’re out for the day when you leave in the morning so pack layers, toiletries, a phone charger, hand sanitizer, and snacks.
Jamie Bretman – Performer, Director & Producer at Dummies Corp
Eat, sleep, show repeat, Sunscreen up because doing circus burnt is no good Don’t be a dick…. I mean be kind to everyone!
Find time to relax whenever you can.
Hug all of your friends, actually hug everyone because we can this year!
Michelle Buxton – Publicist, Artist Management & Gardener at The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Always eat lunch coz there is never time to eat at night.
Wash your clothes before the festival starts.
Smile.
Sleep.
Breathe.
Reuben Kaye – Actress, Model, and award-winning cry for help! 💋 @ reubenkaye.com
Ajisen Ramen has the best ramen in Adelaide.
Get to the beach as often as possible.
Be kind to yourself if you have an off night.
Get tested before a Reuben Kaye show. Get tested after a GOM show.
Jacinta Oaten – photographer & Filmmaker at jacintaoaten.com 📸
Get as much photo and video content as possible over the opening weekend and schedule posts for your whole season on the first dark Monday.
It’ll help tremendously as it’s harder to feel motivated to create content or do social media when you’re feeling exhaustion set in throughout the month!
Dave Swinton – Audio legend at The Garden of Unearthly Delights and Dave Swinton Production
It’s been almost 20 years and I’m still trying to work it out 😂 There’s some great advice from others on here 😁 .
I always try and have a jumper a jacket, a spare pair of socks, and some boots on hand working on a festival site. You never know what’s around the corner and the worst thing is when you get wet, cold, and then sick.
Elena Kirschbaum – Co-Director at Gluttony & Director, producer at Highwire Entertainment
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Remind yourself of what your goals are and only compare yourself with the objectives you sought out to achieve, instead of the people around you and what they are doing or achieving. Partying is fun, but don’t cook yourself due to fomo. Having early nights and home rest days throughout the season to recharge your batteries. It’s a long festival.
Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Especially the techs, FOH, and other festival staff.
Thanks so much gang for all the hot tips! I wish you all the best with your Fringe season this year.
To everyone else, I hope you get some helpful hints from these legends. Click on the hotlinks to find out more about them.
If you’re in Adelaide, all the best with your seasons (if you’re doing one). Get out there and support live performance and as always be kind to your fellow humans.
Peace,
Hamish
*Unfortunately I don’t know all the photographer’s names who took these lovely pics of everyone to credit as I pinched lots of facebook (let me know who they are gang 🧐)
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