Countdown to 32nd annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival ribbon cutting May 16-29

Orlando, FL – The 32nd annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival presented by City Beverages is less than one month away, and Orlando Fringe invites everyone to celebrate the festival’s official opening, Wednesday, May 16 at 7pm at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Orange Venue at Lowndes Shakespeare Center. After the ceremony, attendees can enjoy the National and International Artists’ Teaser Show and watch two-minute live teaser performances for touring shows representing nine countries and over 17 states. Purchase tickets at: https://orlandofringe.virtuallyfringe.com/show/210954/NationalInternational-Teaser-Show-and-Ribbon-Cutting-Ceremony.

Orlando Fringe Festival returns to Loch Haven Park in Orlando, Florida on May 16-29, 2023. Orlando Fringe is a 14-day immersive cultural experience featuring over 2,000 ticketed performances spanning every genre imaginable, such as dance, spoken word, musicals, comedy and much more. Free festival highlights include the Outdoor Stage music festival, Visual Fringe art on display throughout festival grounds and Kids Fringe play and entertainment for the young and young-at-heart weekends May 20-21 and May 27-28.

The festival unites local, national and international artists with the Central Florida community, creating a uniquely diverse arts experience.  As the longest-running Fringe theatre festival in the United States, Orlando Fringe is founded on being: 100% uncensored, 100% unjuried, 100% accessible, 100% inclusive and 100% of all tickets go directly back to the artists. The theme for this year is “Festival Beautiful”. 

Anchored at the main festival campus in Loch Haven Park, the festival features venues at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Repertory Theatre and the Orlando Museum of Art. This year expands the festival with the addition of Fringe ArtSpace in Downtown Orlando on historic Church Street. BYOV’s (“Bring Your Own Venues”) return as partner venues, which include The Abbey, Renaissance Theatre Company, Hamburger Mary’s and The Starlite Room @ Savoy, along with various site-specific venues chosen by artists. 

This year’s festival marks the exciting return of Outdoor Stage theme nights and cabanas on the lawn. Patrons with a cabana will have a dedicated tent all day with seating, complimentary drinks and bar service. The free lawn will feature multiple food vendors, a full service bar with Fringe's own custom Hazy IPA beer brewed by Ivanhoe Park Brewing "Curtains Up 2023", as well as interactive games and activation. In addition to digital programs, printed programs will return, as well as enhanced accessibility and shuttle service between venues for the whole festival. Orlando Fringe is also proud to welcome back “Fringers of the Future”, which gives middle and high schools students the opportunity to participate in a special lottery, and if their school is chosen, they receive three performance slots during the festival, and 100% of ticket proceeds are returned to their program.

“Here we go Orlando Fringe 2023!” says Orlando Fringe Executive Director Alauna Friskics and Festival Producer Tempestt Halstead. “We are so excited to present the best festival ever this year with so many fantastic new and returning festival favorites, and we look forward to seeing everyone for two weeks of incredible shows, art, activities, memories and fun with family and friends – that is always uniquely Fringe.”

For more information on Orlando Fringe 2023 and to purchase tickets, visit www.orlandofringe.org, and contact the Box Office: 407-648-0077.

How to Fringe?  Get a button – Get a ticket – See a show! For those who have never been to Fringe before, here’s some tips and tricks on how to Fringe! First, purchase a festival button from the ticketing website or the Fringe box office. This button can be worn for the whole festival, and everyone must be wearing one to enter a ticketed event.  Once patrons have a $10 button, buy show tickets online (free to $15) or at the Fringe box office. Also, enjoy many food vendors on the lawn and watch a free performance on the Outdoor Stage. Happy Fringe!

About Orlando Fringe 

The Orlando Fringe produces The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, the longest running Fringe in the United States. It is a member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF), United States Association of Fringe Festivals (USAFF) and the World Fringe Association. It also follows the CAFF mandate to remain 100% uncensored (the artists have full control over their performance), 100% unjuried (performers are chosen at random by a lottery), 100% inclusive (everyone is welcome at Fringe), 100% accessible for all artists and audiences alike, with 100% of ticket sales given back to the artists. Orlando Fringe is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and receives generous funding from Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, Downtown Development Board, United Arts of Central Florida, City of Orlando and the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

Tags: Press Release