Dear Elgin Fringe Festival artists,

We are thrilled to welcome everyone to Elgin for the 8th annual Elgin Fringe Festival in the coming weeks. While we aren’t back to full force quite yet, we are excited to be in-person with you and audiences once again. Sharing space to engage, explore, and communicate is so very important, and we are grateful for your contributions. So, we want to be clear with you on what is going on here in Elgin, Illinois:

On August 26 the Illinois' Governor put all of Illinois under an indoor mask mandate, that will include all of our visitors as well as our performing artists.

For our performers: please plan accordingly. If you think you will have additional audio amplification needs, please let our AD Nick (elginfringefestival@gmail.com) and TD Tanner (tmelvin@elginfringefestival.com) know as soon as possible. We are working to have plenty of mics at every location, so that we can use, clean, and rotate accordingly. Also, if able, we encourage you to bring your own mic.Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have further questions or concerns. We are still looking forward to seeing all your amazing work! Tickets are starting to sell, keep that promo train rolling.

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What the EFF is doing to work towards safer spaces:

• Limited capacities for all shows - all ticket sales for all venues are set for 50% of what they would be for a “normal” EFF set up.

• Enhanced cleaning procedures between every performance, including necessary tech equipment.

• Spacing encouraged among audience members not in the same party and between the audience and the performers.

• Properly worn masks are required of all audience members, EFF staff, and EFF volunteers (unless eating or drinking while at Martini Room or Blue Box Café). Those who are unwilling or unable to wear a mask will be asked to leave. This includes EFF artists who are enjoying the performances of the fringe friends.  

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What you can do:

• We have told you the performing artists that wearing masks while performing is under your discretion, and that remains. However, if you are unvaccinated or part of an at-risk population, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask while performing.

• Some counties around us are instituting indoor mask mandates for all. If this moves into our county, that mandate will include you as performing artists, and we will let you know the moment we hear anything so you can plan accordingly.

• Be sure to work to maintain safe spacing from the audience during your performances.

• Be sure wash hands, sanitize, and pay special care to cleaning props, costumes, and spaces during your time at the Elgin Fringe Festival.

• If you are not feeling well, let us know, and please stay home.

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Current Illinois update:

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20210826/pritzker-reimposes-statewide-indoor-mask-man[…]AR3-_mC9-qvg1WMv-4H_irsO1MxPa9Sw2cM1bQdVeOd3LtxShq9_JPh1k3Y

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know. I am always excited to bring new fringe work to my hometown of Elgin, IL, and want to make sure we are all taking care of each other as best we can through this difficult moment. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Erin Rehberg
Executive Director
Elgin Fringe Festival