The Book of Fringe is a narrative that traces the rise of the Capital Fringe Festival, from its beginnings at Fort Fringe to the unpredictable moments that shaped its growth. The story unfolds alongside a rapidly gentrifying Washington, DC, through political tides that shifted from Bush to Trump. Drawing primarily from Julianne Brienza’s photography and the Festival’s archives, the book captures the operational demands and creative energy behind building a large-scale alternative arts festival. It highlights how artists and arts administrators created something radical, messy, with lasting impact in the nation’s capital.
Written by Julianne Brienza, edited by Richard Byrne, and book design by Massinissa Belkessam, The Book of Fringe will be available for shipping this fall, accompanied by a series of public events.
The Book of Fringe is part of a larger archival effort to preserve the history of the Capital Fringe Festival. Board minutes, artist manuals, production budgets, to press coverage documenting the Fringe Festival program will be permanently housed in the People’s Archive at DC Public Library. Ensuring public access to a vital chapter of DC’s theatre and art history while Capital Fringe continues its mission of supporting independent artists.