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What is The Fringe?
A 12-day-festival that is founded on the concept of offering 100% unjuried, 100% uncensored, 100% accessible theatre, music, dance, art and madness to all types and ages where 100% of the box office ticket sales go directly back to the artists within The Fringe. The Orlando Fringe is the longest running US Fringe festival.


What is The Fringe Mission?
The mission of the Orlando Fringe is to provide an accessible, affordable outlet that draws diverse elements of the community together and inspires creative excellence through the arts.



What is the history of the Fringe?

The history of Fringe Festivals began in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947. There, a number of performing artists who were not official participants of the Edinburgh International Festival (whose participants are invited by its General Director) decided to produce their own work in empty stores and church basements. Thus, their work was staged literally "on the fringe" of the established festival. The concept was an immediate success and the Fringe soon became as - if not more - popular as the "official" Edinburgh Festival.

Following the example of the Edinburgh Fringe, other Fringe Festivals sprang up in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia in the following decades, many of which follow the true Fringe philosophy - to provide artists with the opportunity to show their work in an uncensored and unjuried environment and to give 100% of ticket sales back to them - to this day. Today, there are more Fringe Festivals in Canada than in any other country.

The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival was created in 1992 by Terry Olson (now Director of the Orange County Divison of Arts and Cultural Affairs). At first, the festival was held in downtown Orlando, with most venues being created in empty storefronts specifically for the festival. This continued until 2004, when the festival was split between downtown Orlando and Loch Haven Park (where Orlando's two biggest theatre complexes, The Orlando REP and The Orlando Shakespeare Theater, are located). The move to Loch Haven proved a success and so, from 2005 on, the festival has been entirely in Loch Haven Park, utilizing The Orlando Shakespeare Theater a venue.

The Orlando Fringe is now the longest running US Fringe and is part of the CAFF (Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals) circuit, which allows Fringe artists to tour many different Fringe Festivals throughout North America and which requires all of its festivals to follow the original Fringe philosophy (100% unjuried, 100% uncensored, 100% accessible for artists and audiences alike, 100% of ticket sales given back to the artists).




When is the festival?
Each year, the festival takes place during the 12 days leading up to Memorial Day.
The 2008 Fringe is from May 15th - 26th, 2008.


Where does the festival take place?
Within Loch Haven Park (MAP) at The Orlando Shakespeare Theater (812 E Rollins St.). The venues are located within these two entities and are coded by color. KIDS FRINGE activities and shows take place at The Orlando REP and in Loch Haven Park. Visual Fringe is located within the lobby and Patrons Rooms of the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. The Beer Tent, food vendors, non-food vendors and the Outdoor Stage are located in Loch Haven Park, in between The Orlando REP and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.


Where do I learn about the shows?
The online show schedule is currently available HERE and hard copy Fringe programs will be available April 28th at Fringe Preview and at the following locations: The Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Pom Pom’s TeaHouse & Sandwhicheria, The Parliament House, Dandelion CommuniTea Cafe, Stardust and The Fringe office.


Our Festival Policies:

  • No Button = NO show entry (no exceptions)
  • No Late Entry to shows (no exceptions)
  • No refunds given for any reason other than show cancellation.(no exceptions)



Festival Payment Policies:
  • We do not take checks. No checks are accepted for tickets, buttons, merchandise or vendors.
  • Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover for show tickets, artwork and donations.
  • Cash only for buttons.
  • Cash only for Beer Tent
  • An ATM is available at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center main lobby.



Show Policies
  • All Fringe shows start on time and once the doors are closed, no entry is allowed. Please give yourself PLENTY of time to get to your shows. Lines can be long, so buying your tickets online in advance is strongly suggested and encouraged!
  • If a show runs over its allotted time, it will be cut off. We are on a VERY tight schedule with the large number of shows in the festival - so there are no exceptions. Please understand this may happen.
  • No food or drink allowed into the theatres.
  • No unapproved photography or video recording devices of any kind allowed in theatres.
  • Please put cell phones to vibrate in the theatres.
  • There is no re-entry to venues allowed.



Where can I get a hard copy Fringe Program?
Hard copy Fringe programs will be available April 28th at Fringe Preview and at the following locations: The Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Pom Pom’s TeaHouse & Sandwhicheria, The Parliament House, Dandelion CommuniTea Cafe, Stardust and The Fringe office.


What are the operating hours of the festival?
May 15th - 26th. 4pm to midnight on weekdays and 9:30am to midnight on weekends


What's the deal with The FRINGE button?
A Fringe button is required to enter ANY Fringe show within ANY venue.
The button costs $6 and is a one time purchase. Button proceeds go to the Fringe. Patrons MUST have Fringe buttons on to enter the venues.

A Fringe button is NOT required for Visual Fringe, Kids Fringe or to hang out in the beer tent!

If you forget to bring your button, you will have to purchase another.

Fringe buttons cannot be purchased online, ONLY in person at the Fringe Box Office at Lowndes Shakespeare Center during the operating hours of the festival.


How do I buy tickets for Fringe shows?

ONLINE
You can go online to HYPERLINK www.orlandofringe.org www.orlandofringe.org , click on shows, click on the show you are interested in buying tickets for and follow the prompts.

AT THE FESTIVAL
At the festival, you can purchase tickets at the Fringe Festival Box
Office which is located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. The Fringe Box Office opens at 4pm on weekdays and 9:30am on weekends, and closes at midnight. There will be NO TICKET SALES AT THE ORLANDO REPERTORY THEATRE this year!

There are NO PHONE SALES!
Please do not call the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre box office at Lowndes Shakespeare Center or the box office at the Orlando Repertory Theatre or the Fringe Office!


How much are tickets?
Each performing group determines his/her own ticket price. The average range is from $5-$10. There is a $1 ticket surcharge on each ticket purchased that goes to the ticketing system. Credit card fees apply as well. 100% of box office sales go directly to the artists in the show you purchase tickets for. No cut of ticket sales goes to The Fringe.


Are any discounts offered?
Yes. The artists themselves decide if they offer a discount and what kind of discount it is. Discounts apply ONLY when purchasing tickets in person at the Fringe box office. If a discount is offered by an arts group it will be $2 off their regular price.


Is there parking?
There is FREE parking (about 500 spaces) within the Loch Haven Park facilities. It is on a first come, first serve basis. There is also a big parking garage across the street at The Science Center. This is a private lot and it will cost you from $2-7 to park there. There is also limited street parking around the area. Absolutely NO parking can happen on the grass within the park or within the no parking zones, because your car will be towed. Allow yourself plenty of time to park, get your tickets and get to your venues.


What are the show ratings and what do they mean?
Show ratings are determined by the artists themselves, not The Fringe. Shows are required to list their warnings. No one under 18 will be allowed into a mature show without a parent or legal guardian. Remember, Fringe is uncensored, so please take the warnings associated with mature shows seriously.

  • KIDS FRINGE: Shows catered to kids and appropriate for all ages
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY: G-rated (not necessarily geared to children, but appropriate for them to see).
  • GENERAL AUDIENCE: All-ages. With no material harsher than you would see on regular non-cable TV.
  • MATURE: If a show is mature, it means that it has warnings associated with it: Language, violence, adult themes, content, nudity etc.



How long are the shows?
Artists determine the length of their shows. Times range from 30-90 minutes. Most Fringe shows are 60 minutes long. The times are in the program and online at orlandofringe.org


Are the Fringe venues handicap accessible?
YES. All venues can accommodate for wheelchair needs. Please speak to the venue captain to assist you with early seating.


Is there food at Fringe?
YES. Fringe vendors offer a wide range of food choices from exotic to traditional. Meat lovers and vegetarians alike will find something to tempt their palate!


How do I sign up to volunteer?
Sign up by filling out the form and choosing "Become a Volunteer" from the drop down menu.


What is KIDS FRINGE?
Kids fringe is tailored just for kids! There are shows, workshops, art projects, and activities that allow children to experience aspects of theatre, art and dance. Kids Fringe is FREE and takes place in Loch Haven Park on weekends during the Fringe.


What is Visual Fringe?
Visit the Visual Fringe page for information on Visual Fringe. Visual Fringe is the art component of the Fringe. Check out the walls of the Lowndes Shakespeare Center and the Patrons room for visual art by local artists. All artwork is for sale! Visual Fringe applications become available in January and can then be found on the Applications page.


How can I perform on the outdoor stage?
We welcome all forms of General Audience art (dance, music, poetry, comedy etc.). Please contact our Outdoor Events Coordinator Jae Nale for an application and more info at Jae1432@aol.com. The cost for non-Fringe perfomers is $50, discounts will be offered depending on for how long/how often the stage is booked.


How do I get into the 2008 festival with my own show?
The 2008 Festival lottery process is complete. The only opportunities to perform at the 2008 festival are on the FREE outdoor stage and at KIDS FRINGE. Should you wish to apply for the 2009 Fringe, please submit an application between Sept.1-Nov.15th 2008 to be entered into the 2009 Fringe lottery.


I want to be a vendor at The Fringe. What is the process?
Visit orlandofringe.org/apply and download and application and submit. The cost to vend food vendors is $750 and for non-food vendors it is $350. For more info contact Outdoor Events Coordinator Jae Nale at Jae1432@aol.com.


I want to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for The Fringe. How do I do that?
Fringe has many levels of sponsorship beginning at $1000. To receive a sponsorship package, simply call the office at 407-648-0077 x2 and ask for Director of Development Kristina Goetz or email her at Kristina@orlandofringe.org. There are still opportunities available for sponsorship for the 2008 Fringe as well as opportunities to become a Fringe Member beginning at the $35 price range.