Minnesota Fringe staff
Matthew Foster
Communications Director
Since Matthew first joined Fringe in December 2000, he’s held a variety of titles but is known mostly for developing Fringe’s noted Web site. Since 2000, he’s also participated in Fringe as an artist with the comedy theater troupe Ministry of Cultural Warfare. His 2001 Fringe show, Into the Acid Fountain (The Federico Fellini Variety Hour), is published by Playscripts, Inc. He most recently worked as art director and Web content manager for the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and in Minnesota Public Radio’s new media department.
Mark Franko
Office Manager
Mark has been with the Fringe for four years, first as Administrative Assistant and now as Office Manager. He is a graduate of Moorhead State University with a B.S. in marketing and spent six years working in the financial industry. But his true passion has always been theater. Mark also works part-time as an usher at the historic Orpheum, State and Pantages theaters in downtown Minneapolis.
Robin C. Gillette
Executive Director
Robin has served as Executive Director of the Fringe since September 2006. Previously, she served as marketing and community relations manager at Mixed Blood Theatre, managing director for Outward Spiral Theatre Company and producer for Teatro del Pueblo in the Twin Cities. She developed a taste for festivals in New York, where she was associate producer for contemporary programming at Lincoln Center, as well as spending three years as production coordinator for the Lincoln Center Festival, an annual $10 million festival presenting theater, dance, music and performance pieces. Gillette has also worked as production stage manager and general manager for various off-Broadway theaters.
Jeff D. Larson
Director of Production and Sponsorship
Jeff has been involved with the Minnesota Fringe for nine years, seven of them as Technical Director. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in theater and marketing, he has worked in technical direction, design, rigging and lighting in Twin Cities venues that include the Southern Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Guthrie Theater, Children’s Theater Company, Park Square Theatre, Mixed Blood, Ted Mann Concert Hall, Walker Art Center, History Theater, Marshall Field’s and a recent U.S. presidential appearance in Minneapolis. Jeff is also a graduate of the Lincoln Center Emerging Director’s Program and has directed and produced several shows for small theater companies and corporations around the Twin Cities.
Allegra Lingo
Director of Audience and Volunteer Services
Allegra is responsible for recruiting, scheduling and training the house managers who will run the various venues during the festival. She is responsible for audience support and access services, and oversees the operations of box office central. Allegra is also a writer and performer who has appeared in the Fringe five times.
Craig VanDerSchaegen
Online Services Director
In 2005, Craig joined the Fringe as a volunteer photographer. He is now responsible for the ongoing development of its online presence. In addition to working for the Fringe, Craig is a professional photographer and web developer.
