We had extraordinary vendors this year; from GSD Productions from whom we rented all of our lighting and sound equipment to our community partners who provided a discount for FringeNYC productions. Here’s just one example:
For the fourth year in a row, we worked with Tom Fischer and his team at Typogram, a division of CQS Printing. As you can imagine, with an entirely volunteer team putting together what is essentially a 56-page magazine, FringeNYC is not the easiest client to work with to be sure. It must seem like we upload a file one day and then are hollering at them asking “where are our tens of thousands of program guides?” the next. It is true - panic tends to set in when our customers are harassing the good people at BORDERS wanting their program guides.
But Tom and his team seem to take it all in stride, and find a sense of pride in the fact that they print our gorgeous guide for us. They do a great job, and always go above and beyond.
We’re lucky to have this particular vendor in our corner. Like so many members of the little village that we build every year, he just “gets us” – and I’m so grateful. Tom’s own words from his email to all of his clients this past summer explain it best –
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Imagine our good fortune. We have a printer who sends an email to all of his clients, and offers to reimburse them for half of what they spend on FringeNYC tickets. And we have a lighting rental house, a sound rental house, a publicist, a graphic design company, a photographer, and so many more who feel the same way. We are truly blessed.
emphas!s design, inc.
I also have to recognize Helene, Andy, and everyone at Emphas!s Design, Inc. They have been our graphic designers since the very beginning of the festival. So for more than a decade, they have not only put up with us - but billed us at 50% of their normal rate. They designed our logo, and as I mentioned, consequently gave the festival its nickname. They are so creative, and professional, and tolerant of my often late inspirations. You can see samples of what they've done for us over the past eleven years here and of course what they've done for other folks at www.emphasisdesign.com.
Other organizations who have found a way to help that don't quite qualify for Vendor Partner status include Backstage (who offers a 50% off casting notice to our shows), One On One Productions who in 2007 offered FREE space for casting sessions, and FringeNYC alumni Tajlei Levis and Rebecca Frank, who offered dramatically reduced-cost legal assistance for our participants.
In 2007 we also started a COMMUNITY PARTNER program, where vendors could offer discounts to FringeNYC and our shows. We're proud that Rosebrand and Janovic on Sixth Avenue at Spring Street took advantage of the opportunity to draw our community into their stores.