Tag Archives: It’s A Struggle Coming Out

EdFringe Talk: It’s A Struggle Coming Out

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“I have learned that it is okay not to always have every answer. In fact, it is better to ask for guidance than to allow the fear of potential judgment to dampen my productivity and faith in myself.”

WHO: Paige Iacobacci

WHAT: “When four Evangelical teens plan to convert citizens for their debutante ball, a closeted goth teen falls for a vampire, igniting a campy crusade of repression, romance and religious hysteria – forcing her to choose between her church, friends and thirst for authenticity. Written and performed by students at USC and fresh off a sold-out run in Los Angeles, It’s A Struggle Coming Out makes its international debut!”

WHERE: Upper Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St (Venue 9) 

WHEN: 18:05 (55 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, this is my first EdFringe experience! In fact, this is my first experience participating in any arts festival. As the On-Campus Producer for “It’s a Struggle Coming Out,” I am thrilled to take our show abroad and to attend productions from around the world. I am so grateful to be traveling to Edinburgh and look forward to being surrounded by thousands of inspiring artists and audience members who share the passion for theatre as I do.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Two of the biggest lessons I have learned while producing this show are to trust my ability to take on roles that intimidate me and to recognize that honesty and humility are essential to good leadership. When I applied to produce “It’s a Struggle Coming Out,” I was nervous to take on the position because I had never produced a theatre production before. However, since accepting the role, I have learned that it is okay not to always have every answer. In fact, it is better to ask for guidance than to allow the fear of potential judgment to dampen my productivity and faith in myself. Like the young women in our show, who face uncertainty and struggle with self-doubt, I was often insecure, too. However, being surrounded by such an amazing cast and crew and with Fiona’s guidance, I was able to trust myself and let go of some of the pressure, leaving me truly ecstatic for EdFringe and the work that lies ahead.

Tell us about your show.

Our show, “It’s a Struggle Coming Out,” written by Ben Berman and directed by Alec Schwartz, is a witty farce that combines early 2000s humor and film references with themes of religion, friendship, and sexuality. Produced by Los Angeles Theatre Initiative, led by Fiona McGrath, the production features a cast and crew of students from the University of Southern California. In February, we debuted the show in Hollywood in a sold-out, three-show preview run. Since then, the production team, cast, and crew have been working tirelessly to make the show as polished, hilarious, and meaningful as possible for our run in theSpace at Niddry Street. Throughout our EdFringe performances, we hope to foster vibrant, interactive audiences, build momentum for the show, and lay a strong foundation for potential future productions beyond our own.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

After It’s A Struggle, go see the rest of what LATI is bringing to Fringe this year!

Be sure to catch Revelation which is running back to back with our show! It is making its international debut following a sold out run in New York and boldly examines the horror and hope of being American through the lens of the four horseman of the apocalypse.

Guns In Dragonland is back after a critically acclaimed run at last year’s festival with a new production and cast. It’s a powerful and moving show about the very timely subject of gun violence in American classrooms. The show is somehow tender, inventive, yet quietly devastating, the kind of hour that gets people talking long after they leave the theatre.

I would also make sure to catch DECKHAND which received 5 stars at Hollywood Fringe and makes its international debut in the last week of the festival, it is a fast paced comedy set aboard a sinking ship that explores the toxic and nuanced relationship between an assistant and their boss.

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EdFringe Talk: It’s A Struggle Coming Ou

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“I taught international teaching assistants how to adjust to America… God. I really hope I learned something from all that.”

WHO: Alec Schwartz

WHAT: “When four Evangelical teens plan to convert citizens for their debutante ball, a closeted goth teen falls for a vampire, igniting a campy crusade of repression, romance and religious hysteria – forcing her to choose between her church, friends and thirst for authenticity. Written and performed by students at USC and fresh off a sold-out run in Los Angeles, It’s A Struggle Coming Out makes its international debut!”

WHERE: Upper Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St (Venue 9) 

WHEN: 18:05 (55min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

As a first time comer to EdFringe, I am unbelievably excited to get to come here for the first time as a Director. EdFringe is renowned the world over for being THE theater festival. The very cutting edge of creativity, where artists the world over come to share and learn from each other. And now I get to participate in that exchange. I’m eager to broaden my horizons and let everyone else get a taste of what my freak flag can offer.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ve spent the last two years sponging up as much knowledge as I could. I’ve been majoring in acting, minoring in screenwriting, directing a production of Rocky Horror Picture Show, a one act play called Ratdog, this show. I’ve done four original sketch comedy shows. I’ve done weekly improv. I had a one act play of mine produced. I played Brutus in a production of Julius Caesar. I worked at a comedy club, taught international teaching assistants how to adjust to America… God. I really hope I learned something from all that.

Tell us about your show.

There’s vampires. I’d tell you there’s gay people, but you assumed that when you heard there’s vampires. It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s sincere. It’s campy and fun. It’s a show about love, community, and being yourself. If you like Twilight, Mean Girls, or whimsy, you should see it.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

After It’s A Struggle, go see the rest of what LATI is bringing to Fringe this year.

Revelation, is running back to back with our production and is fresh off a sold-out run in New York and making its international premiere. It is a genuinely funny piece of new writing about the horror and hope of being American. The four horsemen gather at a Southern diner and toy with ordinary folks like puppets, all while wrestling with the one thing bigger than the end of the world: their own egos.

Guns In Dragonland is back after a critically acclaimed run at last year’s festival with a new production and cast. It’s a powerful and moving show about the very timely subject of gun violence in American classrooms. The show is somehow tender, inventive, yet quietly devastating, the kind of hour that gets people talking long after they leave the theatre.

I would also make sure to catch DECKHAND which received 5 stars at Hollywood Fringe and makes its international debut in the last week of the festival, it is a fast paced comedy set aboard a sinking ship that explores the toxic and nuanced relationship between an assistant and their boss.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!