Fringe Benefits Montage
Surviving Friendly Fire Trailer
Fringe Benefits Theatre’s play FRIENDLY FIRE was commissioned by Peter Sellars and A.S.K. Theatre Projects for the L.A. Festival of the Arts, and is the subject of, SURVIVING FRIENDLY FIRE, an award-winning documentary narrated by Sir Ian McKellen. The full, hour-long film by Todd Nelson and Michael Hofacre is available through Frameline Distribution.
Homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth were Fringe Benefits’ first community partners starting in 1991. Through story-sharing, discussion and improvisation, we collaborated with the youth to transform their experiences with anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination into three powerful, bridge-building plays which they performed at Highways Performance Space and toured to local schools. Produced in 1993, FRIENDLY FIRE is one of these plays.
Super Cortes
Conceived and directed by Liane Schirmer, Mitos, Ritos y Tonterias (aka You’ve Got to be Kidding!) is Fringe Benefits’ community-initiated, Spanish-language educational video that tells stories from the Latino community that help break down gender stereotypes and tackle homophobia. It is an educational, yet entertaining, video comprised of humorous scripted scenes and hard-hitting documentary segments. “Super Cortes” is a telenovela-style parody based on a true story.
The Actor's Choice Interview
Ron Brewington interviewed Artistic Director Bowles and award-winning Theatre for Social Justice Residency Leaders Savannah Lewison, Dani Corona and Tori DiGeronimo for “The Actor’s Choice” in June 2016. “The Actor’s Choice” is a weekly LIVE-streaming online entertainment show. The program centers on actors, actresses, directors, producers, and various entertainment professionals. This is the entire interview – featuring Bowles in the first half, and the residency leaders in the second half.