Staff Spotlight: Producing Director Dave McKeever

Who are you, how’d you get into the Fringe, and why should we care?

I’m Dave McKeever, Producing Director of the Fringe. I founded the Fringe with my friends. As an artist hellbent on community organizing, stepping back and creating the conditions for others to more easily stage their own works was a logical progression in my own journey.

You should care, because the arts are a foundational element of what it is to be human. No matter who you are, your experience of the arts has deeply shaped you as a person, primarily for the positive. The Fringe is a catalyst for audience and artist alike to deepen their connection to themselves and the society around them.

What exactly do you do as the Producing Director?

I oversee the booking, staffing, and execution of all Fringe-Run spaces at the annual festival. I also finalize all design elements for the Fringe, including the annual Guide.

Basically, I just want to throw a really great party. Nothing is more thrilling than watching the degree to which the festival engenders joy in the city I have chosen as my home. On the Fringe website, your profile description is always editable; mine has always said, “I am your friend and co-worker on all things Fringe.”

What’s the craziest tech experience you’ve had during fringe?

I think the craziest tech experience at the Fringe was last year when I was running a show at Open Fist and Matt Richter casually told me the Lounge was on fire. The whole thing was resolved without my assistance, but it still instilled the proper sense of panic.

Another highlight are the lights going out during the 2011 awards ceremony in the tent; thankfully a quick fix.

Can you tell us some interesting facts about yourself?

What is your favorite color: Puce.
What are your least favorite words: Moist, Nougat and Cake.
What is your phobia: Ripping cotton balls in half.

picture courtesy of Star Foreman