The San Francisco Fringe: An Interview with Christina Augello

Christina Augello founded the San Francisco Fringe Festival in 1992. It evolved to become one of the most prominent fringe festivals in the country. In this interview she discusses not only the SF Festival but also the issues involved in creating any indie theater—what indie theater is and the challenges we face producing it. She tells us, “We all serve artists—people who don’t have a lot of money.” An indie performer herself, she expresses the struggle we face working in this type of theater—from actors and audiences to marketing and touring visas. She discusses finances, reminding us, “The first motivation is the art itself.” Ms. Augello is an experienced and articulate expert on indie and fringe theater; this interview is an invaluable resource for fringe artists.