Cannonball will take center stage in September as the largest hub of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, offering independent performances from artists of every discipline.
In its fourth year, Cannonball maintains its focus on innovation and accessibility, and unveils new programs that celebrate “under-resourced” artists.
From rebellious circus, dance, theater and activist art to workshops, parties and more, Cannonball pushes the boundaries of live performance at four different venues this Fringe.
Cannonball moves into Old City with the addition of Christ Church Neighborhood House as a venue, and returns to the Maas Building, Icebox Project Space and Liberty Lands, which will feature outdoor, weekend performances for families.
Additionally, Sundays will see the hub take over Pig Iron Studios for “Camp Cannonball” – days full of workshops, panels, community discussions and the Overboard series.
Newly incorporated as an independent 501(c)3 after being created and produced for three years by Almanac Dance Circus Theatre, Cannonball brings risk-taking artists together to provide developmental and artistic support beyond the moment of performance.
Through resource sharing and community investment, Cannonball will provide more than $40,000 in direct commissioning support to local and regional independent artists.
Focused on expanding who Philly Fringe is for and how it happens, Cannonball offers sliding-scale ticketing to every production, and builds programs in collaboration with artists and community members that expand performance works outside of the theater through Cannonball Mess Hall events and Cannonball Workshops.
“We believe that the difference between the incredible artists of the Independent Fringe and those produced at larger venues is a question of resource investment,” said co-founder and program manager Ben Grinberg. “As we continually seek new resources and opportunities for our artist communities to craft and hone their work, we hope audiences will appreciate the incredible opportunity to see world-class artists in the hyper-intimate settings our venues offer.” Cannonball pools and redistributes resources to provide small-scale production opportunities for under-resourced performances.
Cannonball will host producers from Singapore, Canada and Egypt, who will be embedded within the festival for cultural and administrative exchange.
“The goal of Cannonball remains the same – to cultivate a space of warmth, sharing and belonging by and for artists who have often, by their own admission, been overlooked by many of the city’s other presenting organizations,” said Mentoring Producer Colby Calhoun.
For tickets and more information, call 215-413-1318, go to the Fringe Festival Box Office at FringeArts (140 N. Columbus Blvd.) or visit cannonballfestival.org. ••
