By all accounts (and through my own observations) it was a success. Kudos to all involved – organizers, performers and audience members! You done good. You should be proud of your accomplishments.
This will be my final post on observations/commentary for this year’s fest.
AUDIENCES:
The (observed) demographic was interesting this year. For the most part it seemed like an older more established crowd was lining up for shows. I guess this could be taken as a sign the Rogue has finally “arrived”. I do think this is a great demographic to finally see at the festival… at least in the numbers I noticed with my own Rogue gallivanting. The word finally got out. Yay! Though THIS POST does address the ongoing need for audience education… for the most part more people seemed to “get it”. Another Yay! My hope is that the areas of audience education and development continues. It will only serve arts and culture not just for the Rogue but for the city on the whole.
PERFORMERS
THIS POST addressed a potential issue. I will say the Rogue does take great pains to educate (especially local) performers on marketing techniques for their shows. Some actively apply themselves toward assertive promotions while many don’t. Cross promotions between the two groups does happen… perhaps to a lesser extent this year as in the past. But that is an easy fix.
On a brighter note… for the first time this year several local performers have actually shared with me the desire to create original shows and tour the fringe circuit. In my book this is big! I will cop to the fact that part of my private intentions for starting this festival was to cultivate a more vibrant cultural landscape… especially in the area of original works. I don’t look at works (especially original and new pieces) done in a festival like this as “alternative”. I simply look at them as new works. (Mind you this is the playwright part of me talking.) In a lot of ways fringe and fringe-type festivals such as the Rogue is the new vaudeville. Some shows (and performers) will make the jump to a wider stage. But it all begins with creating a show at home and then honing it in performance and on tour.
The audience numbers (especially this year) indicate that there is a market for original fare. I think locals should capitalize on that and continue nuturing creations in that arena. There is a lot of talent and capable individuals in this fair city. As Blake Jones once stated in an interview, “The Rogue shows Fresno… for a week and a half… what could be.” All I can say is… time to make it so… year round.
THE ROGUE
The fact the organizers attempted something new this year shows the festival is evolving. This is always a good thing. The biggest sin with something like this is resting on your laurels. A lot of hard work, effort and sweat was poured into the festival to make it the success it became this year. Once again MEGA KUDOS to all involved.
There are still improvements that can and should be made for the future. They include the areas of venues, scheduling, box-office, etc. I have blogged about some but (believe you me) there are more. I will not bore you with them on this post… though if you should choose to ask be prepared for a long form answer. You have to know that I have tremendous pride in all of you for continuing to make this happen. You all also know that any finger-wagging I do is to spur on improvements. Several wheels were invented this year. Some were left behind and need to be rediscovered and yet others just need tweaking for improvement.
It is time for the Rogue to make another leap of growth. Efficient organization and better communication should continue to be ongoing. I will add to the mix that a greater part of the thrust also be dedicated to (improving) fund-raising to facilitate stipends for certain positions. This will only help raise the levels of professionalism that (staffing) the festival should continue to strive for.
And with that I give you more pics I took at Rogue 09.
