What happens when Truth, Rage, and Shame meet upon a metaphorical moon?
A displaced narrator must face her past to find out.
Darkly comedic. Existential. Explosive – Rise is a solo play told through 20 characters – exploring artistic risks and rewards, the roots of addiction, power of Denial, and rising to one’s Purpose in spite of it all.
Written in rhyme, this ground-breaking next work by playwright/performer Diana Varco (Shattered), gives an unapologetic, vulnerable and charged peak into a rarely talked about experience – foster care.
Rise calls the viewer to dive deep into the very concept of rage, judgment and self-sabotage – to find hope in moments that hurt us the most and resilience in the smallest parts of ourself.
Written & Performed by Diana Varco
Directed by Meridith Grundei
Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson (Soaring Solo Studios)
Content warning: Contains discussion of potentially distressful themes including but not limited to child abuse, alcohol use, religion, sexual assault, and strong language
Diana Varco (writer/performer): Diana Varco is an Upright Citizens Brigade and Groundlings trained improvisor, storyteller and actress turned mental health and arts advocate. Her first solo show Shattered has graced many stages in Los Angeles, New York, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Diana’s second solo play Rise – a prequel/sequel to Shattered – premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, with preview performances at Reykjavík Fringe 2023 and recent performances at the Soaring Solo Stars Series (Zephyr Theatre, Los Angeles) and Whitefire Theatre Solofest 2026 (Los Angeles).
With 10+ years in comedy, Diana also co-created the improv-based web series Riding Buddies, co-wrote the pilot Mom Circle and created the blog What X Taught Me About Y.
Diana is delighted to bring Rise to Hollywood Fringe 2026 – the same festival that inspired her to start writing Shattered many moons ago in 2016. For more information visit www.dianavarco.com
RISE at Hollywood Fringe Festival!
Event Dates:
| Tuesday, June 09, 2026 | 5:30 pm Pacific 7:30 pm Central 8:30 pm Eastern |
| Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 6:30 pm Pacific 8:30 pm Central 9:30 pm Eastern |
| Sunday, June 14, 2026 | 12:00 pm Pacific 2:00 pm Central 3:00 pm Eastern |