MARTIN DOCKERY, PICTURED
Winter Mini-Fest, the curated cousin to the un-juried Orlando International Fringe Festival (Website), comes to Loch Haven Park from January 8 to11. Now in its tenth year, this slimmed-down version of Fringe gives audiences their fix until the big fest rolls around in spring and wisely gives Fringe organizers an opportunity to keep the fest top of mind.
On the mini-eve of Mini-Fest (this past Wednesday), Fringe offered its Teaser Show, which gave the audience a sampling of shows on the roster. The Teaser Show is a traditional fest offering that gives performers a chance to entice people into coming to their show. It’s particularly helpful for national and international production that might not have a built-in local audience. The artists were allotted just three minutes (rigorously monitored by a squirrel named Peanut…you had to be there), so it is a bit unfair to choose favorites given that restriction. But we’re going to do it anyway.
So here are five picks we’re wagering will be your Best Bets at Winter Mini-Fest 2026, in no particular order:
1 Small Lie
Martin Dockery | Brooklyn, NY
An Orlando Fringe vet, Martin Dockery is an engrossing storyteller and always a sure thing.
ANATOMICA
Amica Hunter | Mount Vernon, WA
The performer turned into a crab before our eyes during the Teaser Show. Enough said.
The Rooms We Carry
Quantum Leap Productions | Orlando, FL
We were drawn in by the passionate dancing overlayed with beautiful projections.
Portal: A Sci-Fi Fairy Tale
Homicidal Orphans | Orlando, FL
Not present at the teaser, but they sent a video trailer. We might be fooled by the production quality of the video, but this looks promising.
Shirley Gnome: Love, Bare & Natural
Heartichoke Arts | Vancouver, BC
Anyone who can sing about birds tweeting and bees buzzing and make it sound like an orgy, as Shirley did during the teaser, has our attention.
HONORABLE MENTION
ART(er) SPACE
2SleepyRatGuys | Mount Vernon, WA
Getting an “honorable mention” designation only because they weren’t part of the teaser program, but were wise enough to plug their show. The only site-specific show during Mini-Fest, this immersive comedy will include Fringe favorite Bruce Costella (Mutnik) as Buddy Dyer’s niece outside. (We’re curious if she calls him Uncle John.)
Having said all this, a large part of the fun in Fringe is taking a chance on a show with an intriguing title, premise, or performer you meet over a beer. We encourage you to do so.
While the big fest has venues all over Loch Haven Park and elsewhere, all the venues for Mini-Fest are in Orlando Shakes. A food truck will be stationed at the building entrance throughout the fest with a full bar and seating for between-show hangs. The fest will include fixtures Visual Fringe, an art market featuring local artists, and shorten version of Kids Fringe.
For more information, visit OrlandoFringe.org.
