Artists on the fringe find a new venue in South Jersey
The first New Jersey Fringe festival debuted this weekend with 15 theatrical performances and a street fair featuring street performers, artists, and food and drink.
The festival centered on the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, the only professional, equity theater in South Jersey that operates year-round.
“It’s a starved area, for sure,” said Ed Corsi, co-artistic director of the Eagle and co-founder of the Jersey Fringe. “North Jersey does a great job of weekend festivals and theatrical endeavors. We don’t have a whole lot of that in South Jersey.”
The three-day festival featured an outdoor fair with acrobats, musicians, and pop-up art installations while more formal performances took place in 13 venues in Hammonton’s walkable downtown.
“I think this is a great thing” said Marisa Mast from Northfield, New Jersey, as she and her friend Josh Ludwig looked over the festival program. “It’s great for the community, and the only other place to see so many shows is in Philly. It’s an opportunity for local people to enjoy plays.”
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