It's All an Act - FronteraFest's Ken Webster

Recently seen in another local media resource: "OK, I'll say it: Ken Webster's "St. Nicholas" is a tour de force."

Ken Webster is an actor, the Producing Artistic Director of Hyde Park Theatre, and an advocate of the idea that more local actors and performers should get their 15 minutes of fame. From the beginning, he has been a part of FronteraFest, Austin's annual fringe theatre festival which opens its stages to dozens of participants in venues across the city.

[We asked Ken to tell us about his involvement in FronteraFest.]

I've been lucky enough to participate in every one of the 14 FronteraFests - either as an actor, director, writer, or panelist. One year I played a corpse under a sheet.

What is the overarching mission of FronteraFest?

Our goal with FronteraFest is to transform the face of theater in the Austin, acting as an essential incubator for talent by allowing thousands of writers, actors, directors, and performance artists to hone their skills before a live audience.

Who have been some of the most memorable FronteraFest participants over the years?

There have been so many great ones over the past 14 years. Nationally recognized playwrights like Steven Tomlinson, Kirk Lynn, John Walch, and Lisa D'Amour presented much of their earliest work at the festival. Some of the most admired local playwrights, including Hans Frank, Steve Moore, Monika Bustamante, Hank Schwemmer, Jessica Hedrick, and David Gunderson-as well as great choreographers like Ellen Bartel and Sharon Sparlin have been regular participants over the years.

FronteraFest clearly opens a lot of doors for actors looking for creative outlets. How does Austin benefit from FronteraFest?

FronteraFest's $45 Short Fringe entry fee continues to make it possible for Austin artists with limited financial resources to produce their work in front of audiences. And many of Austin's finest and most-honored actors like Judson Jones, Corey Gagne, and Steven Tomlinson made their first appearances in Austin on the Hyde Park stage during FronteraFest.

Besides incubating new talent, FronteraFest also serves as a venue for more established local artists to explore new territory, providing an affordable way to test out works that challenge the artists and our audiences.

Perhaps the best evidence of FronteraFest's role as an invaluable arts incubator is the fact that many plays that began as FronteraFest pieces have gone on to become full-length, award-winning productions. Some great examples include works by Steven Tomlinson, Ron Berry, Hans Frank, Cyndi Williams, Lowell Bartholomee, and Zell Miller III.

The Mic Casa Es Su Teatro portion of FronteraFest finds actors doing their thing in unexpected locations around town. Quick: what's the most memorable to date?

Too many great ones to single one out, but every year there is always something weird and wonderful.

Has anyone ever really broken a leg at FronteraFest?

The stage has been injured, but no participants.

For complete information on FronteraFest, including showtimes and locations, and to purchase tickets online, visit the Hyde Park Theatre website.

Austinist is an Official Media Sponsor of FronteraFest 2007

Photo by Bret Brookshire