A Chat with the Participant Services Team

Interview with Olly & Lauren

Lauren: Should we introduce ourselves first?  

Olly: Yeah, who are you? 

Lauren: Good question. My name is Lauren Bok, and I am the Artist Services Coordinator at Melbourne Fringe. I’ve been performing and working across the arts for over a decade, and now I help other artists put on their Melbourne Fringe Festival shows. What about you? 

Olly: I’m Olly Lawrence, the Senior Program Manager (Independent Arts) here at Melbourne Fringe. I’ve similarly been producing independent shows and touring them around the Fringe circuit, including at Melbourne Fringe Festival, for the last few years. I’ve worked at independent venues and done a lot of other arts work. Similarly, now I get to use those skills and experiences to support the wonderful Fringe community that I’ve been a part of.  

Lauren:  A question we get a lot: why do the Melbourne Fringe Festival? Why not just make your show happen some other time? 

Olly: You can do a show anytime, but Fringe gives you access to so many opportunities. There’s the Tour Ready program, ‘Let’s Talk’ sessions, free workshops, panels and info sessions. You might win an award. But more than that, it’s about being part of the Festival community. 

Lauren: You do get swept up in it. I’ve been going to the Festival since I was 18. Some of my closest friends (and professional collaborators) came out of conversations after shows. It’s an amazing springboard into the arts ecosystem. 

Olly: It’s a creative testing ground. Even established artists come back to Fringe with something new to try. The Festival supports risk-taking, whether it’s a fresh idea or your very first show.  

Lauren: My first solo show was at Melbourne Fringe Festival. 

Olly: Wow, how long ago was that? 

Lauren: How dare you!  

Olly: I’m not calling you old, I promise. 

Lauren: I am! No, it was in 2015. I debuted my solo show during the Festival to a room of 20 seats. And honestly, it was just the most wonderful, exciting, confidence-boosting time for me. As an artist doing a Festival show, you get that opportunity to be exposed to a larger audience. And Fringe audiences? They're very kind, excited, and up for pretty much anything. 

Olly: Fringe-goers are the best. They have a real appetite for the unexpected. They're open to all the bold, unique experiences that make Fringe so diverse artistically. 

Lauren: They’re also willing to support someone new or up-and-coming. There's a real joy in being able to say, ‘I saw them first.’ 

Olly: It’s the ultimate bragging right as an audience member when you can say, ‘I saw their first tiny show in a broom closet,’ or ‘I saw them before they were famous.’ 

Lauren: And artists are also audience members. I love cramming myself into shows, getting inspired, meeting new creatives. That artist pass? The best. 

Olly: It’s definitely a hot bed for inspiration.  

Lauren: And connection. It’s going to the Club Fringe nights, letting off steam, being able to enjoy all the different offerings and chatting with other artists. 

Olly: There are so many people I’ve met at over late-night beverage at Festival Hub that have now become my lifelong collaborators and friends. If you’re looking for the people that you’re going to be working with next, and sharing an arts community with, those social events like Club Fringe are a great place to be. 

Lauren: 100%. So, what makes you want to go and see a Fringe show?  

Olly: I love taking a chance on something small and unassuming. I think sometimes you can find those real hidden gems of a show that don’t have a professional studio photography image. Maybe they’ve taken something on their film camera in their backyard. You sit there thinking, “What is this going to be?” And I love immersive or interactive stuff too. Participatory works where you’re pulled in. 

Lauren: That’s the great thing about Fringe. It’s an Open Access festival, so anyone can be part of it, but there are also strong community guidelines and support behind the scenes to keep things safe and respectful. 

Olly: Exactly. Even if something’s a bit out there thematically or physically, you know it’s going to be a safe and considered experience. 

Lauren: And that’s where the comfort zone system comes in. 

Olly: Yes! Can you explain that? 

Lauren: It’s a super handy tool we use across the website to help audiences choose what kind of experience they want. There are three categories: Inside the Comfort Zone means a more conventional show, Pushing the Comfort Zone means things might get a bit surprising or unusual, and Outside the Comfort Zone means strap in, it’s going to be wild. 

Olly: It’s so helpful. You can filter by comfort level, or by themes and content notes, depending on the kind of night you want to have. And honestly, one of the best ways to find shows? 

Lauren: Word of mouth.  

Olly: Yes! 

Lauren: Oh absolutely, finding out what other people are seeing and getting their recommendations is the best. But please if you do love something, remember what it’s called! How many times have we heard, “I saw something really good last night…” 

Olly: And then— 

Lauren: “What was it called?” blank stare 
“Who was it by?” blank stare 
“It was just really good!” 

Olly: So please take a flyer, grab a photo, keep your ticket, post about it. 

Lauren: Share it! Whether it’s five stars, a social post, or a story it makes a difference. It helps people find the show, and for the artists, how great is it for them to see people connecting with their work? 

Olly: As a producer, I want every single audience member to post something. Even a quick Instagram story saying, “Saw this show, loved it!” boosts visibility and builds momentum. If you liked it, tell someone. 

Lauren: Exactly. Every post counts. Fringe is all about community. Sharing, showing up, and celebrating each other.