Laban Movement Techniques for Artists and Directors
Laban Movement Techniques for Artists and Directors
Led by John Clancy
Take your physical storytelling to the next level with this exclusive 3-hour workshop led by OBIE Award-winning director John Clancy. Whether you’re an actor seeking to enhance your craft or a director looking to guide your cast toward stronger performances, this workshop will equip you with invaluable tools to create dynamic and captivating characters
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What You’ll Learn
- The Eight Ways of Movement: Discover how to utilize fundamental movement principles to craft compelling onstage characters.
- Practical Applications: Develop techniques for clearer, stronger choices in auditions, rehearsals, and performances.
- Character Development: Gain insight into using movement analysis to explore a character’s essence and motivations.
About John Clancy
John Clancy is celebrated for his ability to push creative boundaries and redefine the stage experience as a performer, writer, director and collaborator. His achievements include:

- Founding the New York Fringe Festival
- Serving as Executive Director of the League of Independent Theatres in NYC
- Winning an OBIE Award for his outstanding contributions to theater
- International acclaim for works like Fatboy, The Event, and The Apocalyptic Road Show, earning recognition at the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe Festivals
Now a proud member of the Kansas City artistic community and the KC Fringe Board, Clancy brings decades of expertise to the Midwest. His bold and inventive approach to storytelling continues to inspire artists worldwide.
Workshop Details
- Date: March 15th, 2025
- Time: 1–4 PM
- @ Whim Space, 415 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64124
- Cost: $20
Spaces are limited—don’t miss this chance to transform your approach to theater. Register today at https://square.link/u/xrnlSByt and discover the power of Laban Movement Techniques!
Just Like Hollywood
Central Standard Theatre, KC Fringe and The Black Box KC present
Blind Faith Productions
JUST LIKE HOLLYWOOD (I See You Watching)
Text by John Clancy, Directed by Melanie Stewart, Featuring Kylie Westerbeck.

Upcoming Performances
Friday, March 7, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 8, 2025 @ 2:00 PM
1060 Union Avenue
Kansas City, Missouri 64101
Tickets: $20 General Admission
For further ticket information:
https://justlikehollywood.com/
The result of a decade-long collaboration with Obie award-winning playwright John Clancy, Just Like Hollywood explores the degradation of a young woman in contemporary America.
Synopsis:
On a bare stage, using only props supplied by a demanding and impatient master of ceremonies, the woman must discover the key to unlock the cage in which he keeps her. Forced to perform and dance to please her captor she forces the audience to question at what point will she rebel? A rigorous and playful study of status and the eternal male/female dance and duel, this dark comedy examines the trap ensnaring so many women today, an invisible but all-encompassing prison she is raised in and taught to accept, if not embrace.
Melanie Stewart (Director/Collaborator) creates darkly absurd movement- driven theatre focusing on the nuanced, weird, and vulnerable side of American culture. She was the artistic director of Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre from 1984 to 2014, producing over 50 original works of dance and movement-driven theater for the concert stage, in dance/film/video, and education, nationally and abroad. Presently, she is the Artistic Producing Director of Blind Faith Productions. The company’s first play production, Just Like Hollywood (I See You Watching) was first presented at the 2022 Cannonball Festival a hub of the Philadelphia Live Arts/Fringe. In 2024 she co- produced the show with Central Standard Theatre, Kansas City at the Bedford and Camden Fringe Festivals in the UK to critical acclaim. Other recent productions include MONSTER, a frankenstein tale, by John Clancy, which premiered in 2024 and was presented at the Festival of Monsters at the University of California, Santa Cruz in October. Stewart is a Professor of Theatre and Dance at Rowan University who specializes in Physical Theatre and Medical Improvisation.
John Clancy (Performer/Collaborator) is a contemporary American playwright, novelist, and director. He was a co-founder and first Artistic Director of the New York International Fringe Festival and its producing organization The Present Company. His written work centers mainly on the American experience and is characterized by dark humor and farce. His best-known playis Fatboy: An American Grotesque, a modern re-working of Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi. His monologue The Event premiered in Edinburgh in 2009 and has gone on to tour Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States and has been translated into Greek and German. Clancy’s directing has earned six Fringe First Awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and two Best of Fringe Awards at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. He was awarded a 2005 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Direction, a 2002 Glasgow Herald Angel Award for Excellence in Direction, a 1997 New York Magazine Award, and a 2008 Dialogue ONE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theater. John is currently the Playwright in Residence for Central Standard Theatre and on the Board of Directors for the KC Fringe.
Kylie Westerbeck (Performer/Collaborator) is a NYC-based actor/musician/photographer. Professional credits include: Nocturne, The Lydie Breeze Trilogy, Curse of the Starving Class and Company, (EgoPo Classic Theatre), Witness for the Prosecution (Bristol Riverside Theatre), and Our Town (People’s Light Theatre Company). She has produced several original works including Complexity (DC Fringe) and Peg! (Philly Fringe) and has released two original albums: Bellow (2018) and Summertime (2019). Presently, Kylie is pursuing her MFA in Acting at the Juilliard School (Group 56).
Blind Faith Theatre brings artistic collaborators together to devise original theatre that is socially relevant work focused on creating intimate relationships with audiences. The company’s projects integrate movement, text, and image to explore the ability of the body to carry meaning in original narratives that are often ironic and intensely human. Just Like Hollywood (I See You Watching) is the first production of Blind Faith Productions.

Visual Arts Application 2025
Welcome to the KC Fringe Visual Arts application and information.
KC Fringe facilitates an independent creative process and the opportunity to show your work to an audience that is eager and willing to support new performances and creations.
KC Fringe is committed to provide a respectful, safe environment free from harassment, violence, discrimination, bullying, and abuse. We will not tolerate participation in activities or behaviors that discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, age, marital status, religious beliefs, citizenship, mental and physical abilities or sexual orientation. We provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and participate in all events and activities whenever possible and all community members are to be treated with respect and dignity. We seek to expand our reach to fight against injustices and become a more welcoming and equitable place for everyone to enjoy the arts.
KC Fringe facilitates an independent creative process and the opportunity to show your work to an audience that is eager and willing to support new performances and creations.
What KC Fringe Festival provides:
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A gallery with hanging space and support in hanging your artwork.
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Artist listing in printed KC Fringe program guide. Artist page on KC Fringe website along with your description, details links and an example photo.
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A Gallery Guide (person) that will support and help to sell your artwork at the gallery.
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Publicity for the festival as a whole and press opportunities.
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Marketing and producing support.
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Festival artists receive special ad rates in the program guide.
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A finance report and 90% of your artwork sale by Thursday, August 15, 2025.
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While the gallery has general security for the premise, where the main Visual Arts Gallery is held, both KC Fringe and the gallery are not responsible for any damage or loss of work due to theft or any other unforeseen circumstances.
What you provide:
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Artwork and pricing (All work must be hang ready with proper hardware and hang wire). Containers and tables for your artwork are also provided by you.
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Information and promotional materials for yourself as well as your artwork, on deadline.
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Promotion for your work and the gallery. We promote the festival, you are responsible for promoting your artwork and gallery information. We will help you with ideas and resources.
Questions about your application?
Contact us at visualart@kcfringe.org
KC Fringe does not yet require a fee for applying.
Please make a donation of $1-$35 to support the festival.
Performance Application 2025
Welcome to the KC Fringe performance application and information.
KC Fringe facilitates an independent creative process and the opportunity to show your work for an audience that is eager and willing to support new performances and creations.
KC Fringe is committed to providing a respectful, safe environment free from harassment, violence, discrimination, bullying, and abuse. We will not tolerate participation in activities or behaviors that discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, age, marital status, religious beliefs, citizenship, mental and physical abilities or sexual orientation. We provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and participate in all events and activities whenever possible and all community members are to be treated with respect and dignity. We seek to expand our reach to fight against injustices and become a more welcoming and equitable place for everyone to enjoy the arts.
KC Fringe facilitates an independent creative process and the opportunity to show your work for an audience that is eager and willing to support new performances and creations.
KC FRINGE Festival Important Dates
Performance dates are: Thu July 17- Sun July 27

Romantic Fools
- Application closes February 23.
- Lottery draw on Feb 25.
- Production payment due March 1.
- Producer meeting March 9, 3pm-5pm The Black Box
- March 24 Final Day to Drop with full refund
- June 14 - Tickets go on sale
- Performance Technical rehearsals July 14-16
- Flash Preview Night July 17.
- Live Performances July 18-27.
- Best of Venue performances and closing party July 27.
Should I apply? KC Fringe is a place for established and new artists. It is fast-paced, low tech, and shows are presented in repertory, each production receiving 5 performances. We will do our best to place you in the best venue for your show and give you the best possible schedule. The better you can communicate your needs the better we can support you.
What if I am a touring artist? We are happy to have touring artists and will support you in your efforts and work with your schedule.
What if I applied to the Midwest Touring Trifecta? (https://minnesotafringe.org/
What we provide
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An environment that facilitates an independent creative process and the opportunity to perform for an audience that is eager and willing to support new performances, experiences and creations.
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A choice of venue size (standard-$400 or large-$500) with basic lighting and tech set up.
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A professional technician to run your show.
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Five performances that Fringe will schedule at your venue.
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The schedule of your performances listed in the Fringe program guide and on the Fringe website along with your show description and photo.
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One 3-hour technical rehearsal at the venue in the days immediately prior to the festival so you can set up and run through your show.
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Full box office service including online and at the show ticket sales.
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At least one box office staff and one front of house/usher staff.
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Publicity for the festival as a whole, teaser and press opportunities.
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Marketing and producing support.
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Festival artists receive rush comps, special ad rates in the program guide, and comp tickets for their shows.
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At least 60% of the box office receipts to be paid by August 15, 2025.
What you will provide
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A safe and respectful environment for your team and other artists at the festival.
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A show from 45-60 minutes long, that can load in and out of the space in 10 minutes on either side.
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Original work or proof of the rights for your production.
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Information and promotional materials for your production.
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All physical things needed for your show (props, sets, costumes, stage manager, ideas on lighting and sound cues, etc.)
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Promotion for your show. We promote the festival, you are responsible for promoting your show. We will help you with ideas and resources.
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Any required permits or special insurance for your production.
Questions about your application info@kcfringe.org
KC Fringe does not yet require a fee for applying.
Please make a donation of $1-$35 to support the festival.
Film Application 2025
Welcome to the KC Fringe Film application and information.
KC Fringe facilitates an independent creative process and the opportunity to show your work for an audience that is eager and willing to support new performances and creations.
KC Fringe is committed to provide a respectful, safe environment free from harassment, violence, discrimination, bullying, and abuse. We will not tolerate participation in activities or behaviors that discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, age, marital status, religious beliefs, citizenship, mental and physical abilities or sexual orientation. We provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and participate in all events and activities whenever possible and all community members are to be treated with respect and dignity. We seek to expand our reach to fight against injustices and become a more welcoming and equitable place for everyone to enjoy the arts.
KC Fringe facilitates an independent creative process and the opportunity to show your work for an audience that is eager and willing to support new performances and creations.
What KC Fringe provides:
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A venue for your film screening.
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At least 3 screenings that KC Fringe will schedule at your venue.
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The schedule of your screenings listed in the Fringe program guide and offer a page on the KC Fringe website along with your film description, image, and detailed information you provide.
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At least one technician who will run the screening.
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Full box office service including online and at the show ticket sales, and live box office staff during performances.
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Publicity for the festival as a whole, teaser and press opportunities.
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Marketing and producing support.
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Film producers receive comp tickets for their screenings, six additional rush comps to distribute as you see fit, and special ad rates in the program guide.
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60% of the box office receipts to be paid by August 15, 2025.
What you will provide:
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A film or series of films from 45-60 minutes long.
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Original work or the proof of rights for your production.
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Information and promotional materials for your film.
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Promotion for your film. We promote the festival; you are responsible for promoting your screening. We will help you with ideas and resources.
Questions about your application film@kcfringe.org