Fringe Performers Make Philly Scene a Mecca

Backstage: "In the fall of 1997, Nick Stuccio, a onetime dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, and performance artist Eric Schofer founded the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. That first year, the event took place in 37 venues in the Old City neighborhood. Spanning five days, a total of 60 artists were presented, drawing an audience of about 17,000. By 2005, a total of 1,625 artists were participating in the festival, now known as the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe, attracting about 45,000 ticket buying to venues citywide. "