Rat Academy: No one would have seen our show if it wasn't for Fringe

Like any great creative idea, Rat Academy started as just a scribble of a concept on construction paper. Co-creators Dayna Lea Hoffmann and Katie Yoner – the comedic geniuses behind Rat Academy’s star characters and the last two rats in Alberta, Fingers and Shrimp – recall how a funny sketch turned into a runaway success. 

“We didn’t know if it was going to work!” exclaims Katie. “We had the attitude of: we’ll do it the cheapest way possible and suffer,” she laughs.  

Fingers and Shrimp made their first appearance at the 2023 Edmonton Fringe Festival. 

“The venue was so hot. We had to sew ice packs into our costumes,” giggles Dayna. “We didn’t think it was going to sell out, but it was absolutely packed in plus 30-degree heat in this venue with no air conditioning and we were wearing these giant costumes…!” 

“The amount we would sweat, we could squeeze out our costumes at the end of the show, which is so gross!” Katie grimaces.

While performing in a hot, sticky venue may be a Fringe rite of passage for any Artist worth their weight in soggy costumes, Katie and Dayna celebrate Fringe as the launchpad for their growing success. 

“Fringe was our entry point for everything,” says Katie. “I don’t know how we would have gotten to where we’ve gone or even attempted doing what we do now without Edmonton Fringe. We had both just come out of school. We didn’t know anything about producing a show.” 

“Fringe provided us all the resources we needed,” continues Katie. “And through Fringe, we’ve met so many people who helped us along the way. With that support, we thought to ourselves: okay, this is something we can try!” 

It’s the stuff of every Fringe Artist’s success story: an idea (the Artists), a platform (Fringe Theatre’s investment in those Artists), an audience (YOU!).  

Will you give just $5 a month, every month to ensure Artists like Dayna and Katie continue creating and making audiences laugh?

“Something I love about Fringe is that it offers a safe place to create,” says Dayna. “You’re not risking a ton of investment. It’s a low-cost way to create theatre. It’s a good place to test out new work. And Fringe audiences are ready for that kind of experimentation. They’re hungry for it all the time.” 

“Fringe was a steppingstone for us. Unless you’re an Artist of notoriety with a huge career behind you, it can be challenging to get your work viewed by presenters,” Katie explains. “Fringe gave us the leverage we needed to bring our show to national presenters and to tour it across the country. Fringe was the only thing that allowed us to do that. No one would have seen our show if it wasn’t for Fringe.” 

From Vancouver to Toronto to Orlando, the last two Rats in Alberta continue to reach audiences in communities across North America. 

“We’ve gotten to travel as friends doing something we love,” celebrates Dayna. “Honestly, I still can’t believe that we get to do this. It’s my ideal career. When I was in school, they’d ask: what’s your big dream as an Artist? And I would say: I want to create something I’m proud of that I get to travel with. And then we got to do that our first year out of school because of Fringe!”  

“When you contribute to Fringe, you don’t just make the Fringe Festival better,” says Katie. “You make art possible. You make Canada better. We wouldn’t have been able to get to any of the places we’re touring to now if we didn’t have an opportunity at Fringe first. It simply wouldn’t have happened.” 

“There’s a huge financial barrier to creating theatre,” Katie continues. “Fringe allows us to pull back and focus on the art. It provides us the resources, like a venue, technicians, box office supports. There are a million and a half things as a producer you have to know how to navigate. Fringe gives you permission to focus on the art without being so overwhelmed by everything that’s required to put on a theatre production.” 

“And not to mention a voracious audience!” exclaims Dayna. “It’s guaranteed that at least one person will show up. And that means something to me as an Artist.” 

But it’s not just about Dayna and Katie. When you give to Fringe Theatre, you help all Artists take their first steps. Your support provides: 

• Venues, technicians, and box office support so creators can focus on their art; 

• Opportunities for experimentation and growth in a safe, welcoming environment; and 

• A foundation for Canadian talent to thrive nationally and internationally. 

“If Fringe didn’t exist, there are so many shows that are professionally touring now, or writers who create for film and TV, that never would have gotten their start. Fringe is not just one step in an Artist’s career. It’s a foundation for Artists,” says Dayna.  

Your gift sparks creativity and possibility for Fringe Artists. Will you give today to ensure Artists have the platform they need to explore, experiment, and expand their stories? 

The Rats are back on the road again this winter with a six-city tour.  

“We’re in Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, Lethbridge…and High Performance Rodeo in Calgary!” 

As for what’s next?  

“We have a lot of ideas bubbling around,” hints Dayna. “Not all of them have to do with the Rats, but I think if our creative goals look like a map, the biggest country would be the Rat Academy.” 

Follow along with the antics of Fingers and Shrimp @the_rat_academy.