Law & Order: BIG @ The Charm City Fringe Festival

Hello beautiful people. My name is Michael Harris, and I have been an actor/improviser in Baltimore for almost 20 years. In that time, perhaps my favorite show that I’ve gotten to be a part of is Law & Order: BIG (Baltimore Improv Group). It is exactly what it sounds like: A Full episode of Law & Order, fully improvised. Starting with a dead body (ably played by an audience member) through cynical detectives, evasive persons of interest (who can’t stop doing menial tasks, even while being questioned about a murder) to the courtroom confrontations climaxing with a verdict given by the jury--aka the Audience.

So, why are we putting our hands out?

After three years of COVID based obstacles, the Charm City Fringe Festival is returning to full strength. And our show is running from October 4-8. Producing a Fringe show is inexpensive, but inexpensive is not a synonym for free.

I have had to put over $1000 into the show to get it on its feet. And I am exactly as wealthy as you would expect a middle aged actor/improviser to be.

Goal number one: To get out of the red before the show opens on October 4.

Goal number two: If we can raise sufficient funds, my hope is that, in combination with ticket revenue, we would be able to pay the cast a stipend. Improvisational performances tend to be comfortable with performers being paid with applause only. I’d like to improve upon that.