In an effort to replace co-founder Jonathan Harris, the NY Fringe Festival has appointed Diane Paulus as the new co-Artistic Director.

Harris was informed that he would not be invited back for the 1998 festival, after moving from New York to Los Angeles during the crucial months before last year's festival began.

Paulus is no stranger to the Fringe, having directed "The Community Show", which opened last year's First Annual New York Fringe Festival. In a statement to Back Stage, Paulus said "My desire as artistic director is to continue to make it a better festival. We'll take all that we learned last year, and improve on it, while coming up with new ideas."

The First Annual New York Fringe Festival was launched in the summer of 1997, founded by Co-Artistic Directors: Harris, Aaron Beall (Artistic Director of New York's Todo con Nada), John Clancy (Artistic Director of New York's Present Theatre Company). The festival's founders were awarded the 1997 New York Magazine Award for their "creativity, enterprise and vision" in producing the ambitious festival.

To request an application for this years' festival call the Present Theatre Company at (212) 307-1022, or download the form from their website at FringeNYC 1998. -- By Sean McGrath