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About Theatre Crude
What is Theatre Crude Fringe Festival?
Theatre Crude Fringe Festival is an event in Oklahoma City every fall, showcasing creative and adventurous local performing artists, as well as fantastic performing artists from across the country (and potentially, the globe). In 2023, we hosted a hybrid festival featuring both in-person and virtual performances October 5-14 at Oklahoma Shakespeare.
What is fringe?
Fringe is a national and international phenomenon, with festivals happening in every major city across the globe. Fringe performances are one hour or less, low tech, and high on ingenuity. No restrictions are made as to the nature, style, theme or content. All performers are welcome, regardless of professional or amateur status. The result is a festival full of the unexpected.
What's the festival like?
Each day of the festival is its own adventure. Explore as many different genres and styles of performance as possible! Experience unique perspectives into everything that theatrical performance has to offer.
Who is it for?
We believe theatre is for everyone. The aim of Theatre Crude has always been to create a festive space for artists to push boundaries and audiences to experience live theatre in a new way. In making our vision a reality, we work to create a safe, equitable space where humans of all types are included, welcomed and heard. Join us!
What else does Theatre Crude do?
Throughout the year, Theatre Crude works to support and celebrate the performing arts in Oklahoma City and around the world. This includes activities like our Unconventional Shorts series, which features short-form original works from local performers and playwrights.
Meet the Team
Adam Brand
Co-founder, Co-producer, Board Member - President
Adam Brand began his career in theatre at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, MN in 2006 where he continued his employment for 10 years. Over that period he took advantage of opportunities to work and apprentice as carpenter, props artisan, follow spot operator, flyman, and deck crew chief.
Adam also made time to work with other theatre companies around Minnesota including Mu Performing Arts, The History Theatre, Interact Center and Walking Shadow Theatre Company. In 2014 Adam wrote and produced his first show for the Minnesota Fringe Festival, adapting the work of Irvin S. Cobb to the stage. Adam moved to Oklahoma City in 2016 and is grateful for the opportunities that the community has provided for him. He is excited to bring Theatre Crude Fringe Festival to this vibrant community.
Jenny Brand
Co-founder, Co-producer
Jenny Brand has been organizing theater since the age of 16 when she lived in the Netherlands. Since graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, Jenny has worked extensively in both the UK and US, including the National Youth Music Theatre (UK), European Union Youth Orchestra (UK), Children’s Theatre Company (MN), Twin Cities Horror Festival (MN), Revolutions International Theatre Festival (NM), and the California International Theatre Festival as their executive producer.
In 2014 Jenny successfully produced a multi-state tour of French theater company Cie Macadâmes to rave reviews and sold-out audiences. Jenny moved to Oklahoma City in 2016 and Theatre Crude Fringe Festival is her way of giving something back to the people of Oklahoma that have been so generous and welcoming.
Maureen Cullum
Board Member - Treasurer
Maureen Cullum has held various senior level finance and accounting positions with corporations and start-up ventures in both the US and Europe, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for non-profit arts organizations in the Los Angeles area. Originally from the East Coast, Maureen received her B.S. in Accounting from the Boston College School of Management and her MBA from Bentley College. Maureen served as Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors for both the California International Theatre Festival and Inland Opera Company and currently serves on the Board of the Roger Wagner Choral Institute and is Steering Committee Chair of the St Francis de Sales Choir (all in CA). In addition to her business and arts management background, Maureen also brings her passion for music to Theatre Crude, currently singing in both choral and contemporary groups in the Los Angeles area. While working and living in The Netherlands, Maureen led one of the church choirs and enjoyed producing musical events and recordings in support of fundraising initiatives.
Caitlin Dennis Bailey
Board Member - Secretary
Caitlin Dennis Bailey is an arts lover originally from Norman, Oklahoma. Since 2018 she has worked in digital marketing and strategy at Anglin PR in Oklahoma City where she helps clients tell their stories in front of the right audiences. She previously directed and produced a world premiere for the Capital Fringe Festival (DC) and performed with PTP/NYC at Atlantic Stage 2 (NY).
In Oklahoma she has collaborated with Namron Players, Oklahoma Shakespeare and OKC Theatre Company. Caitlin received a B.A. in Theatre and English from Middlebury College in Vermont where she was the first person from Oklahoma most people had ever met.
Matthew Caron
Board Member
A native of the vast farmland of southern Minnesota, Matthew Caron holds a master’s degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Superior, and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
He currently serves as Managing Director for the Department of Theatre and Dance at Minnesota State University, Mankato where he also teaches and directs. Before moving back to Minnesota, Caron was the Director of Theatre at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK. He is an active member of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, having served as a responder in Regions V and VI, and as Vice Chair for the state of Oklahoma.
Kitty Devany Vitale
Board Member
Kitty Devany Vitale has been working backstage for over 20 years and has always had a penchant for grassroots theatre for a cause. She has worked on productions ranging from The Vagina Monologues to works like Condomonium: an exhibit supporting CHOICES, Memphis Center for Reproductive Health. She received her MFA in Theatre from the University of Memphis and worked for several seasons at Ash Lawn Opera working her way from Master Electrician to Company Manager. Since then, Kitty has traveled the world working for Norwegian Cruise Line and Project Managed for Broadway builds at Cigar Box Studios, Inc., in New York. Kitty moved to Oklahoma City in 2016 and has worked alongside OKC institutions including the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City University. She currently serves as Technical Director for the Civic Center Foundation, an organization that manages Civic Center Music Hall and the Hudiburg Chevrolet Center.
