PATRON'S PICK WINNER "A HOLLYWOOD HORROR STORY" PHOTO BY COLE DITZEL
Orlando Fringe’s 35th festival — “35 Years Weird,” presented by City Beverages — wrapped up May 25 after a 14-day run at Loch Haven Park, and according to the numbers, it was a strong one.
Over 1,700 artists from four countries and 15 states performed across more than 1,000 ticketed shows spanning theatre, dance, comedy, musicals, storytelling, and beyond. The festival sold 43,901 tickets, logged 116 sold-out shows, paid out over $500,000 to performing artists, and more than $20,000 to Visual Fringe gallery and market artists. Nearly 200 volunteers kept the whole thing running relatively smoothly.
This year’s festival leaned into the lawn experience in a bigger way than before, with new programming including the outdoor Fr!ngeMart market, a first-ever Eco-Fringe Expo, and themed nights. Fringe After Dark expanded to include BYOVs at Savoy Orlando and Renaissance Theatre Company. A Verse vs. Verse Poetry Slam brought back the spirit of the old Fringe Poetry Smackdowns as a nod to the 35th anniversary, and partnerships with Goblin Market, the Kids Fringe Children’s Entrepreneur Market, Orlando Collage Club, and Orlando Story Club added new dimensions to the lawn and Visual Fringe programming.
Venues were spread across Loch Haven Park, with Visual Fringe galleries at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, venues at Orlando Family Stage, and Kids Fringe at the Orlando Garden Club. BYOVs included Renaissance Theatre Company, The Starlite Room at Savoy, B-side at Ten10 Brewing Co., and new addition Ivanhoe 1915. Nearly 200 kids participated in Kids Fringe.
“I heard more than once that Fringe is back,” said Managing Director Melissa E. Fritzinger. Year 36 is set for 2027.
