2026 Lineup
All Three Nights will be hosted by our fabulous MC - Erin-Kate Whitcomb
FRIDAY
8/14/25
Genny Lim accompanied by J. Raoul Brody – 7:00 PM
Sebastian Boswell III – The Ineffable Experience of Impossible Achievements – 8:00 PM
SATURDAY
8/15/25
Workshop – what would orwell do with this? – 10:00 AM
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Lesser mortals – promise of a lake – 7:00 PM
Amanda Moody – Samuel Beckett’s “Not I” – 8:15 PM
LAURAL MEADE – Ms Tucker Will see you now – 8:45 PM
SUNDAY
8/16/25
Melissa Michels – Summer Magic Melodies – 7:00 PM
Mile High Players – hot flashes: a radio play Celebrating Women, Friendship & Fire – 7:25 PM
Geoff Shields – SF82 – 8:10 PM
Don Bajema – “Before you knew me” Tales, Yarns and Confessions – 9:00 PM
Todd Alcott
Playwright, screenwriter, and illustrator Todd Alcott has now become a cartoonist. His graphic memoir work-in-progress, Model Home, chronicles his childhood in the 1970s as a victim of emotional abuse by his narcissist father. It is a blunt, searing plunge into the darkest areas of domestic life during the Carter recession. The show is a staged reading of the graphic novel, which will be projected on stage. All roles will be performed by Todd Alcott and Lynn Odell.
Liz Eldridge
A Rock Opera written and performed by Liz Eldridge with her four-piece band.
Sara Statler
SARAH STATLER, originally from San Jose, California, grew up studying theater, voice and piano. After moving to New York, she graduated from Manhattan School of Music with a BM in voice. During her time there, she was a recipient of the ASCAP Foundation’s Fran Morgenstern Davis Scholarship. She recently finished touring with the 2nd national tour of “Anastasia” (Ensemble/Countess Gregory, u/s Dowager Empress). Regional theater credits include: “Buddy..The Buddy Holly Story” (John W. Engeman Theater, The Fireside Dinner Theatre & Timber Lake Playhouse), “Indecent” (Arden Theatre Company), Bernstein’s “Mass” (The Virginia Arts Festival), as well as various productions at Busch Gardens, VA where she covered multiple roles as a vocal swing. New York Theater credits include: “Makeover” (New Dramatists), “The Nose” (Master Theater) & “The Dome” (Prospect Theater Company).
Lesser Mortals
lesser mortals creates new theatre works invoking a wide array of disciplines and aesthetic approaches. Founded in San Francisco in 1984 by Amy Brosnahan, Ann Fajilan, Tom Ford, and Roger Nieboer (all former drama students at UC Davis), they immediately gained acclaim and recognition for their production of The Ballad of Johnny & Abduhl at Intersection for the Arts. Since then they have performed at venues ranging from the Winnipeg Folk Festival to New Dramatists in New York. They have created large-scale, site-specific works for train stations, art museums and vacant lots. With Promise Of A Lake they return to the intimate scale and form of their first production.
What about the music?
Music has been an essential component of their theatre work from the very beginning. Described by musicologists as “Folk-punk” or “punkabilly” and derided by others as “mish-mash” or “hot mess,” their music aims to capture the vocal stylings and instrumentation of folk music infused with the high energy and urgency of punk. They begin their Open Mic Tour in October, which will eventually bring them to all 50 states. Look for them at an open mic near you.
Performer Bios
Amy Brosnahan works as a judge in Minnesota’s 10th Judicial District, and is enthusiastically devoted to Irish music.
Roger Nieboer began his theatre career at the Magic Theatre in 1983. He continues to write plays and conduct experiments in organic horticulture.
Amanda Moody
Amanda Moody is a quadruple-threat writer, performer, composer, and singer. known for her multi-disciplinary music theater works: the critically acclaimed “Serial Murderess,” “The Winchester Rosary,” and “D’Arc, woman on fire.” An accomplished songwriter, poet and librettist, her texts have been performed by voices as wide-ranging as tenor John Duykers, sopranos Laura Bohn and Pamela Z, and The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia.
Her libretti include, “Bitter Harvest” (Berkeley Symphony Orchestra) and “Caliban Dreams” (West Edge Opera). Key collaborators include multi-media artist John Sanborn, director Melissa Weaver, composers Kurt Rhode, Clark Suprynowicz, Joël Lindheimer, and Jay Cloidt. She has shared stages with Jess Curtis, John Duykers, Amy X Neuburg, Jane Selkye, and Emily Bezar, and has originated singing roles in works by Miguel Frasconi, Rinde Eckert and Paul Dresher.
Moody has been featured in Don Reed’s Redwood Nights/Storytelling Under the Stars, premiering her true tale, “Peer Pressure.” Her new song-cycle, “My Golden Repairs: a song cycle of grief and longing,” is in development with director Melissa Weaver.
Moody performed the role of Mouth in “Not I,” in the Ashland Beckett Shorts Festival, directed by Octavio Solis, and she feels honored to bring her interpretation to the Fringe of the Woods Festival.
Melissa Michels
Melissa Michels is a singer, actress, and mentor. She is a recording artist, (having released a solo album in 2008 under the name Melissa Burke), which she shared in a cross-country tour and one woman show of inspirational music. Melissa has been singing in the studio on some new projects to be released soon! She is a professional singer - a soprano with The Goode Time Carolers of Los Angeles. She is an actress, having performed at various regional theatres such as The North Carolina Theatre, the Carolinian Shakespeare Festival, The WaterTower Theatre of Dallas, Hale Centre Theatre in Utah, and as part of our Fringe of the Woods Festival. She recently starred in an award-winning short film “Love and Joy.” She has a BFA degree in Musical Theatre having studied at New York University, Webster Conservatory, and East Carolina University. Melissa has been a mentor and private vocal and acting coach for 24 years. She also ran a theatre program for 12 years at Syracuse Arts Academy and was Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers “Teacher of the Year” for 2020. She continues to offer private coaching, and now online courses, through her business www.expressyourselfwithmelissa.com. She is also finishing up an MA/PhD program in “Expressive Arts Therapy.” Her goal is to help people to learn to heal and create through conscious use of the arts. Find her online @_melissa.michels_ or under “Express YourSELF With Melissa.”
Mile High Players
Hot Flashes is a witty, sexy, and heartwarming radio play adaptation about four women rediscovering their power, friendship, and sensuality in the face of aging and menopause. When longtime friends reunite, they decide to form a band — the Hot Flashes — celebrating life’s changes with humor, music, and a bit of mischief. Through laughter, flirtations, and the challenges of rehearsal and performance, these women prove that passion doesn’t fade with age — it only grows stronger.
Characters:
Loretta (60s)
The confident, bold leader of the group. Loretta’s wit and charisma light up every room. She’s the spark behind the band and a natural frontwoman.
Kay (40s)
Practical and grounded, Kay brings order to the chaos. She’s the voice of reason but knows when to let loose and enjoy the moment.
Cindy (40s)
Fun-loving and flirtatious, Cindy is the heart of the group’s humor. She’s open about her desires and unafraid to embrace her sensuality.
Esmé (60s)
Wise and warm, Esmé offers thoughtful insights and emotional depth. She’s the glue holding the group together through ups and downs.
Frank (60s)
A charming, playful man who supports the women’s journey with humor and piano skills. He brings flirtation and fun as a guest cameo.
Cast:
Ariel Ogilvie is a Bay Area native with over 35 years of experience in theater, film, TV, and dance. She returned to the stage several years ago and now performs in multiple local productions each year. She’s happy to be joining the Fringe Festival for her third year.
Deb Lowe was born into a showbiz family and discovered her love of acting and singing at a very young age. When she found theater mid-career, she knew she had come home. The stage is her "happy place," and she’s delighted to be back, co-creating with so many local talents in beautiful PMC. Deb is thrilled to be part of the Fringe Festival again this year.
Nichole Gates was a theater student throughout college and has recently returned to acting for pure enjoyment. A PMC resident, she’s happy to be joining the Fringe Festival for her third year
Jennifer Emett’s acting career began in 2009 after studying at Santa Monica College, where she landed two starring roles. She’s appeared in several musicals around Southern California, stage shows here on the mountain, and in various films and music videos. She’s thrilled to be part of the festival again this year.
Stefan Broadley got his start in musical theatre and TV in New Zealand before becoming a rebellious teen musician. He later became a DJ in London and a hit-making music producer in LA. He’s thrilled to join the Fringe Festival—especially since radio plays don’t require memorizing lines!
Geoff Shields
“SF82” is the latest chapter of Geoff’s one man show, “JunkDrawer.” Action moves back and forth between his ten years in San Francisco (1982-1992) and the mad New Jersey/NYC upbringing that prepared him to be in that place at that time. A World War Two, AA Dad whose body was still pushing out shrapnel in the 70’s; A Medical emergency in the middle of a play staged in a South of Market abattoir; Working for Blondie and living with The Ramones; Hack actor day job alliances between San Francisco Doormen and Cab Drivers; Conversations at eighteen with Warhol; Living in The Castro at the Height of the AIDS epidemic; L’amour in Calaveras County, The Earthquake, Four babies in a 18 months and The San Francisco Breeders Ball Fundraiser that fed us. They all tie in, and they all lead us to This Night.
Geoff Shields lived in San Francisco for ten years, from 1982-1992. He was born and raised on The Jersey Shore, working in gas stations and on horse farms before finding his way to New York City during his senior year of High School. He found his way into the rock and roll scene of the time, along the way working for The Ramones, Blondie and Shrapnel. Upon the advice of Debbie Harry, who knew an inept roadie when she saw one, he enrolled in Junior College, studying theater. After a particularly vivid dream during an afternoon nap on a New Jersey sofa, Geoff transferred to San Francisco State University, where lots of great stuff happened. He remained in SF after graduating, co-forming a theater company and sealing his fate. This is a show about fate. Mostly the good kind. Some of the other stuff. As Kurt Vonnegut said; “Hold onto your hat…We could end up Miles from Here!”
Don Bajema
Novelist, screenwriter, actor, and performer Don Bajema was born in St. John's, New Foundland, Canada in 1949. He is the author of two highly acclaimed collections of short stories, Boy In The Air and Reach, now published as one volume, Winged Shoes and a Shield, by City Lights. As an actor, Bajema first appeared on stage in the West Coast premiere of Sam Shepard's "Curse of the Starving Class". With a lead role in the 1983 film "Signal Seven", Bajema began a long-time collaboration with groundbreaking independent film director Rob Nilsson. He had a lead role in Nilsson's 1988 Sundance Film Festival Grand Prize winner "Heat and Sunlight" and he wrote and starred in the 1996 film "Chalk," which Nilsson directed. He has appeared in more than a dozen feature films, most recently Carl Franklin's 2002 film "High Crimes". A favorite on the "spoken word circuit", Bajema has toured extensively in the US, Canada and Europe, performing at hundreds of clubs, theaters and universities. He has shared the spoken word stage with the likes of Hubert Selby, Lydia Lunch, Henry Rollins, and Jim Carroll. He is a former world-class track and field athlete who competed in the 1972 US Olympic trials and played football for legendary coach Don Coryell at San Diego State University. He currently lives with his family in New York City.
Laural Meade
BACK THEN NOBODY TALKED ABOUT SEX.
SO SHE MADE THEM LAUGH ABOUT IT.
This tour de force performance serves up the extraordinary life and music of vaudeville legend Sophie Tucker - a comedienne that super fan Bette Midler called “a true vulgarian, a completely charming big-hearted broad.”
Combining the pizazz of Tucker’s risqué songs with raucous audience interaction, writer-performer Laural Meade channels Tucker’s irreverent wit and sexed-up spirit. With charming side-kick Fred Cassidy at the keys.
Come enjoy the singular energy that made Tucker the most sought-after nightclub entertainer of her day.
FRED CASSIDY AT THE PIANO
DIRECTED BY CYNTHIA ETTINGER & MIKE SCHLITT
“WINNER – BEST CABARET OF THE YEAR. Meade aces the material… delivering knockout interpretations of Tucker classics. Arrestingly poignant and indelibly memorable…an incredible turn, a perfect evening.” - ticketholdersLA.com
“Pick of the Month! Meade lets loose her inner Sophie and charms… a powerful singer with A THRILLING VOICE.” - Cabaret Scenes Magazine
“Meade serves up a titillating evening of dirty jokes, clever anecdotes and raucous songs. A WONDERFUL SHOW.” - LAArtsOnline.com
"A hilarious, heartfelt historical romp from a unique voice… POWERFUL, EMOTIONAL AND UTTERLY BEAUTIFUL.” - NohoArtsDistrict.com
“Recommended! Meade, bedazzled and fabulous, brings Tucker back to life. FLIRTATIOUS AND EXTRAVAGANT… and exquisitely intimate. Meade is soulful talent whose willingness to connect with audiences on such a human level serves as a reminder of the power of intimate theater." - StageRaw.com
“Tucker was a unique, hilarious performer and Meade has nailed her. A DON’T-MISS PERFORMANCE.” - Splash Magazines
“IT’S THE RIGHT TIME TO SALUTE THE BAWDY QUEEN OF COMEDY.” - Broadway World
Erin-Kate Whitcomb
Meet five American women at democracy's crossroads: Deborah, whose campaign work threatens to destroy her family; Patricia, a nurse caught between Fox News and her own eyes; Linda, finding unexpected strength from her favorite chair; Connie, discovering the school board is a political battlefield; and Ana, whose therapy sessions expose our national psychosis. Behind every vote is a story of compromise, conviction, and consequence—expect moments of unexpected laughter alongside gut-punch truth as Erin-Kate Whitcomb's signature comic sensibility strips away political talking points to reveal the messy, complicated Americans underneath.
Don Bajema Workshop : WHAT WOULD ORWELL DO WITH THIS?
What would Orwell do with this?
I came to what works for me as a writer and performer on the road in
with Henry Rollins, Lydia Lunch, Hubert Selby Jr. and Jim Carroll.
Bill Graham put me on stage with Henry after I’d written a play about Anne Frank. Next thing I knew, at the advanced age of forty-three I was on my first European reading tour with punk icons, Henry and Lydia, opening to their tough, unforgiving audiences in six countries, twenty-eight shows in thirty days. I was an unknown, I had little to lose, and I wanted, beyond pleasing the audience, all to grow.
Instead of having a set list that might work, I wrote new material that I’d read that same night en route to the next city. It brought an urgency to my writing, also a sense of the moment, fused with current events, fresh in the psychological political landscape that lent, sometimes, a story or piece that went beyond the moment and beyond me. Many of those stories are in Winged Shoes And A Shield my short story collection published by City Lights.
It was a little scary, certainly out of my comfort zone, but it left the quiet wondering ‘Is this any good?’, and the uncertain circular editing at the writer’s desk miles behind. The experience was revealing, the benefits were huge, and the growth was assured.
If you are primarily a writer, I guarantee on stage first-reading will strengthen your writing. If you are primarily an actor performing your own words you’ll find it enhances your facility for subtext and is a lot of fun.
It’s my great pleasure to explore all this with you in a four-hour session that delves into ‘Who Am I Right Now?’, “What do I have to say about politics, decency, respect, love, fear, anger, hope Right Now?’.
We’ll write it and we’ll perform it, putting our writing directly in our bodies. We’ll do it again, different topic. Discussing as we go. Take a break have something to eat, drink* be merry. Then we’ll go to it again. You’ll find it’s a whole lot of fun reading from the high wire, believe me.
Don
*Please bring your own lunch and beverages.
DATE: Saturday 8/9/25
HOURS: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
LOCATION: 7024 Crable Street, Frazier Park, CA 93225
COST: $150.00
To sign up, send an email to Kim Teevan:
You can pay via Venmo;
@Kim-Teevan
415-806-7736
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