“It’s not about being reckless—it’s about being present, intentional, and bold enough to chase what matters to you.”

WHO: Karen Cecilia

WHAT: “A performance duet of sonic verse, dance, and audience experience that challenges the expectations imposed upon us in society. Using co-authored text, musician and playwright Karen Cecilia, and dance and visual artist Emilee Lord, break down and name the expectations they have each combatted and assert what they chose instead. While each performer’s story differs in detail and expression, a common thread between them will ring true with others who have carved their own paths in life. The audience will be asked to consider their own ideas of “shoulds” and invited to contribute to the show’s performance that day.”

WHERE: Meeting Room at Dovecot Studios (Venue 198a) 

WHEN: 16:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

It’s not my first time here. Every visit feels a bit different, though—especially during the festival season. There’s a unique buzz in the air that you can’t quite find anywhere else.

There’s something magical about seeing artists of all backgrounds and disciplines come together in one place. Whether it’s comedy, theatre, spoken word, music, or something completely experimental, there’s always something new to discover around every corner. The entire city becomes a stage. What makes Edin Fringe truly great is the sense of community. You feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. It’s inspiring to see people sharing their art, their stories, and their passion with complete strangers, all brought together by a love of performance and expression.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

If there’s something you want, something you dream about doing—whether it’s creative, personal, or professional—you have to go after it now. I’ve started to really internalize that. I don’t want to look back and think, “I should have tried.” So I’m leaning into opportunities, saying yes more often, and trusting that action creates momentum. It’s not about being reckless—it’s about being present, intentional, and bold enough to chase what matters to you. That shift in mindset has changed the way I approach almost everything.

Tell us about your show.

TIMESTAMP is a bold performance duet that fuses sonic verse, movement, and visual storytelling into a living, breathing act of resistance and reclamation.
Playwright and Theremin player Karen Cecilia and dance-visual artist Emilee Lord co-author a layered narrative that examines—and defies—the expectations society places on us: how we should look, live, create, and succeed.

Far from a passive performance, “Timestamp” invites the audience to step in. Each show evolves through direct audience contributions, turning the space into a shared timestamp—an imprint of that night’s truths, choices, and collective voice. We know that you’ll ponder the show days after as you leave examining your own life and your expectations for it.

It was co-written by Karen and Emilee. We had our first run of the show last year in NYC and a workshop version of the show several months before that. This run is produced by Rhymes With Purple.

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

1612
Talking Shadows

Agadez and Antonio Forcione: Queendoms Unplugged

Score
Isaiah Wilson

These Mechanisms
Christine Thynne and Robbie Synge

All of these shows are featuring women and/or written by women and take that narrative lens and bring it into these forms of expression. We are women performers who support other women performers.

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