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Drexel Summer Break in Scotland: Edinburgh Fringe Intensive
(Outgoing Program)
The Edinburgh Fringe program is open to ALL students interested in experiencing the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 2022 marked the 75th year of the Fringe Festival – the Guinness Book of World Records holder for the world’s largest art festival! In August each year Edinburgh, Scotland hosts multiple overlapping festivals including: The International Festival (the best opera, ballet, dance, theater, music and orchestras from all over the world), Jazz and Blues Festival, Book Festival, Art Festival, and the largest of all - the Edinburgh Festival Fringe hosting over 50,000 performances of over 3,200 different shows from more than 40 countries. Student artists may even take part in the festival and perform themselves.
Students will attend lectures and workshops by a variety of experienced professionals in the subject, attend multiple performing and visual art shows, and network with industry professionals from around the world. Coursework will include lab hours that match you up with artists performing at the festival! You will get hands-on learning opportunities so work on real shows. Let us know if you love: photography, videography/editing, social media, technical productions, marketing & street teams, or events planning. The program also includes day trips to sites around Scotland including a planned trip into the Highlands – you may spot the famous Loch Ness monster! Past trips have included: Castle Tours, The Kingdom of Fife, St. Andrews, Hadrian's Wall, Jacobite Steam Train (The Harry Potter train!), and more.
Watch the documentary film If Elephants Could Fly, that Drexel students helped to produce while on the Fringe program!
Credit/Registration: This course is taught as a hybrid: in Edinburgh and online with follow-on assignments. Students will receive credit for EAM I299 Producing for International Festivals for 3 credits which will be registered as part of fall term course load. Students must leave space for these 3 credits in their credit load, or will otherwise be billed for exceeding the 20 credit term maximum.
This program has evolved over the last few years to be focused on the producing aspects of the performing arts and other various artistic forms. This course will be specially adapted for the ICA and divides the coursework into two parts.
Part one will be the lab hours performed in the summer (August) while in the country of Scotland. This includes cultural outings, attending performances, meeting with international artists and managers, as well as taking part in the arts festival.
Part two includes the writing and remaining coursework to be completed upon return to the US and over the fall term. That includes reflection papers, reviews of performances and workshops, and a festival manager’s workbook. The puts the coursework balance at 30% in summer and 70% in fall.
Hours: There are class hours and lab hours to fulfill in Edinburgh during the festival. This requires a significant amount of weekly hours in addition to class hours. Students should be prepared for weekly schedules, with weekly time off for personal exploration and travel, with the permission of the program leader.
Faculty Director: Brian Moore, Associate Teaching Professor, Entertainment & Arts Management
Start Date: July 30, 2023
End Date: August 20, 2023
Freshmen applicants will be abroad during their vacation summer term. EAM and MIP majors in sophomores or junior year must obtain approval from their summer term co-op employer to participate. Early departure may be considered for co-op and graduate students when necessary, at the approval of Professor Moore.
Tentative Itinerary Overview
Depart US (arrange own flights) – July 29
Arrival In Edinburgh / Check-in to Flat – July 30
Welcome Orientation & Walking tour of City – July 31
Welcome dinner – Aug 1 or 2
First Day Trip – August 3
Fringe Opens – August 4
Second Day Trip – arranged in Scotland
Farewell Dinner – August 19
Departure - August 20
The summer 2023 program includes a 3-week “base” trip with an optional three-day extension and a update to the offered EAM course, adding the “producing live entertainment” aspect. See price breakdown of option trip below.
Included in the schedule are daily Lab Hours with Philadelphia and International Artists. Students will be assigned to an artist; opportunities to work with others will also exist and student can create / find opportunities for themselves. Many found opportunities are paid. Student artists may also arrange for performance time on the Royal Mile between the Castle and the Palace!
During the last week of the program, students have the option to take paid production jobs at the festival. In 2022, the majority of participants took paid jobs that were secured through the Professor Moore's professional network in Edinburgh. Students who do not wish to work on additional shows may elect to attend and critique a required number of shows in various formats. Tickets will be provided for all required shows.
Due March 1st - $800 Advance Payment Due May 15th - $1,885 Final Payment *All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
Selke Memorial Fund Scholarship: $1,000 scholarship available to a Westphal student for study or co-op abroad, in memory of Emily Selke who participated in the Edinburgh Fringe study abroad program.
Included in Program Fee:
Apartment accommodation within walking distance of all major attractions
Class field trips: including train or bus tickets and castle entrance fees
Walking tours
Some group meals
Some show tickets
UK phone or SIM card
Required special speakers/lectures
Required workshops
Onsite staff support during the length of class
Not Included in Program Fee:
Round trip airfare $1000
Most meals: approx. $300 for grocery shopping
Passport: $140
Spending Money & Travel: approx. $300 - $500
Extra Show tickets: There are many free shows and depending on which class students take, they will have opportunities to earn free tickets. Students should allocate anywhere from $100 to $200 (and up) for additional show tickets.
Optional 3-day trip to the Isle of Skye: $350 (includes guide + housing)
This trip will occur at the conclusion of the program. Students will need to arrange own final night or travel on from the conclusion of this trip.
ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students’ eligible for additional financial aid. Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's ICA Scholarships.
