A week of Fringe actors’ audio diaries gives an intimate look at the work behind the theater

Philadelphia’s live arts community gets livelier this week with the start of the 2016 Fringe Festival, September 9 through 24.

It’s a welcome invasion of performers from around the world. And when the curtains part at dozens of venues throughout the city – actors, dancers, singers, and others will make what they do on stage look effortless.

Most of us don’t see the hard work that goes into each production. So we’ve asked local actors (and siblings) Ben and Rachel Camp of “The Sincerity Project 2016” (Plays and Players Theatre, September 8-18) to keep audio diaries during the lead up to opening night. Their entries are expressions of how they are feeling emotionally and physically and call attention to the pitfalls and joys of creating and starring in live theatre.

“The Sincerity Project” features the same seven-person ensemble every two years over the course of 24 years. Cast members play themselves as they engage in performance art, physical theatre, music, and dance. The ensemble first performed together in 2014.

Here are some of their entries that have aired on WHYY’s Morning Edition.

Audio Diary 1

Audio Diary 2

Audio Diary 3

Audio Diary 4

Audio Diary 5

Audio Diary 6

Audio Diary 7