"Nancy Kenny, you just won the CAFF lottery. What are you going to do now?"
I'm going to Winnipeg! And London, and Montreal, and Toronto, and, and, and ...
For the past two years now, I've applied to Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF) annual lottery. I've explained what the CAFF is here and how much it costs to sign up. Cost being the main factor as to why I hadn't applied for it in the past. It was just easier to budget for individual festivals when you could spread the payment out over a few months. Last year, I was ready for it, but was not selected. This year, however, was different.
I received the phone call at around 8:00 a.m. Vancouver time. Since the name "Fringe Theater" popped up on the call display and I knew the draw was probably happening today, I could guess what this was about. From experience, I know they don't call if you didn't get it. They told me I was actually the first name they had drawn and confirmed that I still wanted to do it. I hung up, both in shock that I actually got the CAFF and that I just put a very large sum of money on my credit card.
A few days later and I'm ready to celebrate. How often does an actor get to know what they will be doing for a few months? Roller Derby Saved My Soul is going back on the road!
Without further ado, here's where you're guaranteed to find me and my little show on wheels during the summer of 2014 (actual show dates, times and venues to be confirmed at a much much later date):
London Fringe Theatre Festival - June 4-15, 2014 Montreal St-Ambroise Fringe - June 12-22, 2014 (yes, Montreal I'm coming back!) Toronto Fringe Festival - July 2-13, 2014 Winnipeg Fringe Festival - July 16-27, 2014 Calgary Fringe Festival - August 1-9, 2014 Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival - August 21-31, 2014 Vancouver International Fringe Festival - September 3-13, 2014
Of course, I may still apply for a few festivals to fill in the gaps, I may have another show up my sleeve... or I may just take a week off here and there. Who knows? The only thing that's certain are those dates up there and I, for one, am looking forward to it. I hope you are too!