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Posted On: October 7th 2026, 01:00 pm
THE PERCOLATOR AWARD
Dan Biemer, Captain Ambivalent
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Percolator Award was introduced by the Fringe Committee in honor of a standout 2023 performance by Julie Leir-VanSickle. Named after her inventive piece that turned the sounds of a coffee percolator into art, the award pays tribute to creativity that bubbles over, blending dance, theater, audience interaction, and the delightfully unexpected in the lively setting of a bar.
This award celebrates artists who push the boundaries of traditional theater and bring fresh ideas to life. It honors those who think beyond the ordinary, challenge artistic conventions, and create immersive performances that surprise and engage their audiences. The Percolator Award shines a light on the fringiest of Fringe artists, recognizing their originality, curiosity, and boldness that keep the festival brewing with new possibilities.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Captain Ambivalent is a satirical songwriting superhero with a sparkly accordion, cape, and boots. His glacial rise from total obscurity to semi-obscurity began at the Front Porch Music open mic in Valparaiso, Indiana, and has grown to include South Bend Public Television, Pierogi Fest, the Gen Con gaming convention, one-man shows at Fringe festivals and alternative theaters, and even a brief cameo on America’s Got Talent.
The Captain’s not-so-secret identity, Dan Biemer, grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, then spent 20 years as a litigation support paralegal in Chicago before un-selling out to fight criminally boring music. His songs are comic takes on the entire human condition with a special fondness for the nerdy bits.
2026 ELGIN FRINGE PERFORMANCE: Big Time Reality Show
@captainambivalent
Photo Credit: Arnaldo Utrera @arnabiarritz
Dan Biemer, Captain Ambivalent
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Percolator Award was introduced by the Fringe Committee in honor of a standout 2023 performance by Julie Leir-VanSickle. Named after her inventive piece that turned the sounds of a coffee percolator into art, the award pays tribute to creativity that bubbles over, blending dance, theater, audience interaction, and the delightfully unexpected in the lively setting of a bar.
This award celebrates artists who push the boundaries of traditional theater and bring fresh ideas to life. It honors those who think beyond the ordinary, challenge artistic conventions, and create immersive performances that surprise and engage their audiences. The Percolator Award shines a light on the fringiest of Fringe artists, recognizing their originality, curiosity, and boldness that keep the festival brewing with new possibilities.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Captain Ambivalent is a satirical songwriting superhero with a sparkly accordion, cape, and boots. His glacial rise from total obscurity to semi-obscurity began at the Front Porch Music open mic in Valparaiso, Indiana, and has grown to include South Bend Public Television, Pierogi Fest, the Gen Con gaming convention, one-man shows at Fringe festivals and alternative theaters, and even a brief cameo on America’s Got Talent.
The Captain’s not-so-secret identity, Dan Biemer, grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, then spent 20 years as a litigation support paralegal in Chicago before un-selling out to fight criminally boring music. His songs are comic takes on the entire human condition with a special fondness for the nerdy bits.
2026 ELGIN FRINGE PERFORMANCE: Big Time Reality Show
@captainambivalent
Photo Credit: Arnaldo Utrera @arnabiarritz
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