Give to the Max with Franklin!

Some twenty years ago, I learned of the Minnesota Fringe festival, being fairly new to my reunification with the arts. It was at a time when I was looking for something meaningful and special in my life in the Twin Cities outside of the daily grind. What I had found was an amazing event, nay, festival, nay cultural phenomenon called the Minnesota Fringe Festival! My first year, I attended a variety of performances: comedies, dramas, improv, dance, story-telling... So many different types and sometimes very surprisingly unique presentations!  I only knew a few people around; some of the performers because I just started to get involved with theatre again, myself, but practically none of the audience members. But in no time, I found myself among friends. So many people of all ages and types brought together to enjoy this amazing freedom of expression!  I realized I had finally found my community and that I had found a true cultural gem of the Twin Cities!!

The very next year, I found myself volunteering, MEGA volunteering!! Soon after that I auditioned and started performing and continued volunteering. Eventually, I had several opportunities to direct and even an opportunity to produce a show! Now I am on the Board of Directors of the Fringe where I only hope I can give it even more support.

Thanks to some amazing stewardship the Fringe has made a remarkable comeback over the last several years after a time when many theatrical organizations did not fair well in a very difficult environment for public activity.  It's comeback is being challenged, however, through this turbulent time that is scaring away even some of our normally generous corporate donors from supporting freedom of expression in the arts. We are facing a $60,000 budget gap, this year that may force us to as much as DOUBLE our Producer fees this year. Please help me help the Fringe meet our goal of filling that gap.

If you donate to through my page, your donation will be TRIPLED! I pledge to match the first $500 in donations through my page (along with the yearly donation I am already giving to the Fringe through other means), plus we have another donor who has pledged to match the first $5500 donated to Fringe through Give to the Max!  So, please donate early and TRIPLE your donation power!

Thank you,

Franklin