RIT rocks with the Rochester Fringe Festival

Posted at: 09/12/2012 1:15 PM | Updated at: 09/13/2012 4:29 PM
By: Janet Lomax | WHEC.com

The First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off next week. From the stage to the street – there are 120 productions in all.

One of the things that makes a Fringe Fest work is the variety of performances you'll find. It's exciting and a lot of comes from our area colleges.

Imagine a cardboard box is a building. “We’re using a single projector to project multiple images on an object or to distort an image so it fits on the surface of an object.” Right now RIT Professor Marla Schweppe may be using a box but during the Rochester Fringe Festival, she and her students will use video mapping software for some public art -- projecting images on the side of a building. “You can make it look like if you project on the side of a building for example like somebody is inside moving but they’re not really.”

Professor Schweppe teaches 3D graphics and animation at RIT. News10NBC stopped by her projection studio so she could show how this will work. Using a laptop and a projector, they plan to put on quite the show.

First on the exterior of Christ Church and then inside, projecting images on the restored 1790 Christ Church organ and on dancers in a collaborative effort with the Eastman School of Music and Futurpointe Dance. It's all improvised so each show will be different.

Schweppe says this is a chance to show off some of the fun stuff they do in class. “It’s an opportunity for students to get some exposure and have people see the work they’re doing.”

RIT is one of six area colleges -- higher education partners -- supporting the Fringe Fest.

If you're surprised to see a school known for its technology, science and business jump on board, RIT’s president, Bill Destler, says you shouldn't be.  “Couldn’t be a better match in my opinion. Basically we are so strong in the creative arts of various kinds, we have increasing performing arts programs here so obviously we were very enthusiastic when the idea was presented.”

The First Niagara Fringe Festival runs September 19 through September 23. Click here for ticket, venue and performance information.

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