6 Questions With Josh Short of Wilbury Theatre Group & FRINGEPVD

What inspired you to start FRINGEPVD?

Wilbury Theatre Group, the producer of FRINGE PVD, had already been active for three years, producing new and exciting work from artists throughout Rhode Island, but we noticed that no matter how many shows we produced, there was still an incredibly vibrant group of performing artists who lacked opportunities to share their work. The inspiration to launch a fringe festival came from this creative gap as we wanted to provide an accessible platform for local and national artists to showcase new and daring performances. With Wilbury's mission to uplift local voices and push the boundaries of performance, producing a Fringe Festival felt like a natural and necessary extension.

How long has Wilbury Theatre Group been producing FRINGEPVD?

It's been 13 years since we started the Providence Fringe Festival, and in that time, it's evolved into an incredible platform for artists and performers in the region and beyond. Over the last few years, the festival has gained a reputation for promoting innovative and diverse works in the performing arts. The event highlights not only artistic talent but also fosters community involvement and encourages audience engagement through accessible performances.

How has the festival evolved over the years?

Since the beginning, FRINGEPVD has grown steadily, attracting more artists and audiences with each passing year. It has expanded its reach beyond Rhode Island to include performers from Massachusetts and across the country. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has remained resilient, shifting to virtual formats when needed and retaining a loyal audience base. Over time, FRINGEPVD has also increased the number of performances, added more free community events and broadened its geographic footprint within the city. Its adaptability, logistically and creatively, has been key to its continued growth. Last year was a banner year for us as we added more venues across the Valley Arts District and even had our own beer brewed for us by Buttonwoods Brewing on Sims Ave. This year, make sure to pick up a Wilbury Lager at Fringe Central!

Any notable performances or memories from your time at FRINGEPVD?

Last year we had over 70 different performance groups ranging from theater, music and dance to clowning and circus performers. We had an incredible clown performance last year called "Marge the Pizza: Presents a Slice of Life" by Hang Nguyen, an exploration of a pizza raising her child. The winner of the Audience Award for Best of the Festival went to "Murder, Meth and Mayhem: a Folk Opera" from EAH Productions, which featured a five-piece string ensemble. And the audience award for Best Playwriting went to "The Farm" by Davis Alianiello, a touching story about a sister picking up her brother from a cult compound. We know this year we have another amazing batch of performances that will surprise us.

What makes Providence a good place for a Fringe Festival?

Providence has an incredibly vibrant and dynamic arts and culture scene that continues to draw both artists and audiences from near and far. During the festival, we present a wide array of engaging events throughout the community, offering visitors multiple opportunities to experience the creative energy that defines the city. We actively encourage attendees to explore all that Providence has to offer from its rich history, diverse neighborhoods and thriving local businesses. In the Valley Arts District alone, we are surrounded by so many incredible businesses and community organizations, such as Farm Fresh, The Steel Yard, 50 Sims, Buttonwoods Brewing, ISCO, LitArts RI, New Harvest Coffee, Gather Glass & Gather Ice Cream, Providence Drum Troupe Clubhouse and the Woonasquatucket River Greenway. Providence provides an ideal setting for artists looking to share their work beyond their home state.

What are you looking forward to most for this year's FRINGEPVD?

This year, we've expanded by adding a couple of new venues to our FRINGEPVD footprint, including OPEN, a gallery space at 50 Sims and the Propel Gallery @ Make Do Studios where we will be hosting our Artist Mixer. We also have new partnerships with local organizations for our Sims Ave Fest + Family Fringe, including the Creative Reuse Center, which recently moved to 50 Sims. The whole Valley Arts Neighborhood is going to be buzzing with activity the week of the festival! Show-wise, we have some incredible performances lined up, including "Isolation Lake," which will take place inside a sauna at The Steel Yard and "Coffee Cantata," a reimagining of scenes from J.S. Bach's "Coffee Cantata" featuring live music and live coffee brewing. Each year, we are delighted and surprised by the creativity and diversity of performances at Fringe.

Special Events

•  July 12, 6–8 p.m. – LET'S FRINGE! Opening night party at Wilbury Theatre Group (475 Valley St.)

• July 13–18 – FRINGEPVD Performances all over Valley Arts District including Farm Fresh, 50 Sims, Open at 50 Sims, The Steel Yard, Providence Drum Troupe Clubhouse, LitArts RI & Wilbury Theatre Group
• July 17, 5–8 p.m. – Artist Mixer at Propel Gallery at Make Do Studios (72 Tingley St.)
• July 18 & 19, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. – Free Dance Classes with Motion State Arts at Ballet RI (825 Hope St.)
• July 18, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. – Sims Ave Fest + Family Fringe – Free for All
• July 18, 1–2 p.m. – Playwright's Mixer at LitArtsRI (400 Harris Ave., Unit E)
• July 18, 8–10 p.m. – Closing Night Party at ISCO (1 Sims Ave. #103)

Get single tickets for individual shows today at FringePVD.com.

Author

Wilbury Theatre Group

Winner of the 2018 National Theater Company Award from the American Theatre Wing, Wilbury Theatre Group is a professional, nonprofit theatre company, which engages our community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. We are idealistic, ambitious and stubborn in our resolve to create theatre that entertains, enlightens and inspires. For more information, visit thewilburygroup.org.