PHOTO VIA ORLANDO FRINGE
Orlando Fringe (Website) will bring back its Winter Mini-Fest from January 7 to 11 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, marking the 10th anniversary of the smaller, curated version of its annual blockbuster May festival.
The upcoming mini-fest will feature more than 20 productions, each limited to 70 minutes, offering a condensed run of theater, comedy, dance, cabaret, and experimental work. Where the larger fest is unjuried, the Winter Mini-Fest features curated works, some of which were featured at the most recent festival, and serves as a more reliable introduction for first-timers, featuring more proven works. Tickets for individual shows are $15, and attendees must purchase the standard $3 festival button for admission.
The 2026 Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest is proud to present the following shows (all copy taken from the original press release and not our own language):
LOCAL
- Portal: A Sci-Fi Fairy Tale (Homicidal Orphans) – In 2116 AD, the brilliant Petra Devore discovers a phenomenon, the Portal, which can serve as a transition to a higher-dimensional realm. An uplifting, intelligent, and exciting science fiction drama.
- Spin on Truth LP: Live Play Experience (SPINdian) – An original collaborative album brought to life on stage. Through dance, music, and video, it reflects on perception, passion, and purpose in the art and careers we live for.
- ·ART(er) SPACE: an immersive comedy journey into the artmaking world (2SleepyRatGuys Amica Hunter and Bruce Ryan Costella) – Join two terrible conceptual artists as they guide you through the dark, murky depths of the artmaking process. Equal parts workshop, comedy show, and immersive walking tour led by Buddy Dyer’s niece.
- ·It’s Alive! LIVE (Anomalo Labs) – Late Night TV is back from the dead in this series of improvised interviews with myth’s most monstrous anomalies. Tune in for new episodes with new ghoulish guests each night.
- ·The Fabulous King James Bible (New Generation Theatrical) – In the 1500’s the historically gay King James I proposes a new translation of the bible, much to the chagrin of his traditional high priests.
- ·The Rooms We Carry (Quantum Leap Productions) – In the 1500’s the historically gay King James I proposes a new translation of the bible, much to the chagrin of his traditional high priests.
- ·DK Does Movie!!! (DK Live! Productions ) – DK Reinemer (DK Effect), Ken Hall (Netflix), and Isaac Kessler (1-MAN NO-SHOW) create a movie live on stage based entirely on suggestions and input from you, the audience.
- ·Impersonators (Musetta’s Waltz Productions) – When success becomes a cage, two performers linger in the glow of what was once a dream. Impersonators is an intimate story of love, illusion, and the weight of standing still.
NATIONAL
- CLYMOVE X RAMBÜS (Clymene Aldinger’s CLYMOVE Dance and DJ KURT RAMBÜS) – Movement meets sound. Emotion meets rhythm. CLYMOVE X RAMBÜS — where dance and music collide in an electrifying live fusion. Experience artistic collaboration — body, beat and spirit in motion.
- CRACKS (Claire Lochmueller) – From a childhood in the Catholic Church/JROTC military school to a multi-award-winning trans theatre-maker. This one-trans-woman dark comedy memoir is as vulnerable as it is funny.
- 1 Small Lie (Martin Dockery) – Humor, horror, and suspense! In this true-crime thriller set to a killer soundtrack, a family man robs a thief of a ton of money.
- ANATOMICA – A Comedy About Meat, Bones, & The Skin You’re In (Amica Hunter) – A hilarious, captivating, and sometimes-unsettling comedy about skeleton types. A gloriously deranged Ted-Talk that’s equal parts stand-up, storytelling, and clown.
- Full of Grace (Andrea Barello) – Padre Andrea is here to administer a worship service, but his idea of a service is not quite what you expect. Between strange prayers and unusual confessions, all he wants is that you repent your sins!
- Vampira: A Hollywood Horror Story (Ingrid Garner) – 17X Fringe award-winner Ingrid Garner (Eleanor’s Story) resurrects the undead legacy of Vampira, TV’s first horror host and the mercurial life of her creator in a dazzling multimedia performance.
- ·Funny Fortunes with Mercado de la Fortuna (Diane Jorge) – An improvised fortune-telling comedy starring Mercado de la Fortuna, the Caped Prophet of Punchlines, delivering hilarious prophecies con mucho, mucho humor.
- The Goodlucks (Maatology Productions) – The Goodlucks is a compelling dramedy involving a competitive acting couple who star in a hit Broadway play that challenges their relationship during awards season.
- The Best Man Show (Mark Vigeant) – An interactive and hilarious polyamorous commitment ceremony where the Groom’s brother gives the toast.
- Jon Bennett: THIS WILL ONLY EVER HAPPEN ONCE (2HOOTS PRODUCTIONS) – A funny, heartfelt storytelling show connecting the thrill of live performance with the wonder of wild animals. From whales to raccoons, it celebrates the unrepeatable.
- ·Softie (Tim Felton) – Sometimes a dad is also a daddy. Join Tim Felton (think Mr. Rogers + Pee-wee Herman + Buster Bluth) as he figures out how to connect with people as he gets older… and softer.
INTERNATIONAL
- Private Parts: The Secrets We Keep (Gravity Theatre) – From the multi-award-winning creator of Bangs, Bobs & Banter comes Private Parts: The Secrets We Keep, funny, honest, and raw. Some secrets can’t stay hidden.
- The Event (Corvito Enterprises) – With deep insight and wit, The Event breaks down the art of performance while exploring the absurdity of life itself.
- Shirley Gnome: Live, Bare & Natural (Heartichoke Arts) – Juno-nominated cabaret musician from Canada blending comedy, song, and wit. Fearless, uncensored and hilarious, featuring songs from her new live album.
- No Worries If Not (Battlefield Heartbreaker Productions) – A comedy about people pleasing (if that’s okay with you). Vancouver-based comedian Katie-Ellen Humphries masterfully blends standup and storytelling in this surprising tale of love, lying, and laundry.
